How long after applying for unemployment do you get paid - NYS Department of Labor timeline?
I submitted my initial unemployment claim through my.ny.gov about 10 days ago and I'm starting to worry about when I'll actually see money. My employer laid me off from my warehouse job on January 15th and I filed the same week. I've been doing my weekly claims but my payment history still shows $0. The claim status says 'active' but no payments have been issued yet. Bills are piling up and I really need to know what's normal timing for NYS Department of Labor to start sending payments. Is there something I should be doing that I'm missing?
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Faith Kingston
The typical timeline for NYS Department of Labor is about 2-3 weeks from when you file your initial claim to receiving your first payment, assuming there are no issues. Since you filed 10 days ago, you're still within the normal window. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week - that's crucial. Your first payment usually covers your waiting week plus your first eligible week. Check that your direct deposit information is correct in your my.ny.gov account.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Thanks, that's reassuring. I have been filing weekly and my direct deposit info looks right. Should I be worried if it goes past 3 weeks?
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Emma Johnson
took me almost a month last year when I got laid off from my retail job. there was some issue with my employer not responding to nys department of labor quickly enough. if you don't see anything by week 3 id start calling
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Lincoln Ramiro
•A whole month?? That's terrifying. How did you manage bills during that time?
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Emma Johnson
•credit cards and borrowed from family. it sucked but the back pay came all at once when it finally got approved
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Liam Brown
If you're not seeing payments after filing weekly claims for 2+ weeks, there might be an adjudication issue that's not showing up clearly in your account. Sometimes employers contest claims or there are identity verification delays. Try calling the NYS Department of Labor customer service line, but honestly the wait times are brutal. I had better luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Got my payment status sorted out same day instead of waiting hours on hold.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•I'll check that out if I don't see movement soon. The regular phone number just puts me on hold forever.
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Olivia Garcia
ugh the NYS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR is so slow with everything!! i swear they make it difficult on purpose. when i was unemployed in 2023 it took forever and they kept asking for more documentation even though i sent everything they requested. the whole system is designed to wear you down so you give up
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Noah Lee
•While the system can be frustrating, most claims do process within the standard timeframe. If you follow up appropriately and provide all requested documentation promptly, delays are usually minimal.
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Ava Hernandez
Wait I thought you got paid right away? I'm about to file for unemployment myself and was counting on getting money within a few days. This is really stressing me out now...
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Faith Kingston
•No, there's always a processing period. Plan for at least 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment. Make sure you have some emergency funds if possible.
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Ava Hernandez
•I don't have emergency funds, that's why I need unemployment! This system is impossible.
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Isabella Martin
just hang in there, once the payments start they come regularly every week as long as you keep filing your weekly claims on time
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Kiara Greene
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 12 days ago after getting laid off from my retail job and still showing $0 in payment history. The waiting is really nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money for rent and groceries. I've been religiously filing my weekly claims and double-checked all my info multiple times. It's somewhat comforting to know 2-3 weeks is normal, but man does it feel like forever when you're stressed about bills. Hoping both our payments come through soon!
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