How long before you get your first unemployment check from NYS Department of Labor?

The standard timeframe is typically 2-3 weeks after you file your initial claim, assuming there are no issues requiring adjudication. However, you need to make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week starting the week after you filed your initial application. Your first payment won't come until you've completed at least one weekly certification. Also, there's a one-week waiting period that NYS Department of Labor requires before benefits begin.

yeah its usually around 3 weeks for me when i filed last year. make sure you keep filing those weekly claims though or you wont get anything at all

The one-week waiting period means your first week of unemployment is unpaid, but you'll still need to file a weekly claim for that week to establish your claim. After that, if your claim is approved without issues, you should receive your first payment within 2-3 business days of completing your second weekly claim. Direct deposit is fastest - paper checks can add another week to the process.

UGH the whole system is so slow!! I've been waiting 6 WEEKS and still nothing because my claim is stuck in adjudication. They keep saying they need to verify my employment but won't tell me what documents they need. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible to get through to talk to an actual person.

Just want to add that if you're on standby from your employer, the timeline might be different. Also make sure you're doing your job search activities because they can ask for your log at any time, even during adjudication.

I went through this same process about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my retail job. Here's what actually happened for me: Filed on a Wednesday, started doing weekly certifications the following Sunday, and got my first payment exactly 19 days after filing (counting weekends). The one-week waiting period is real - you won't get paid for that first week, but you still have to certify for it. My advice is to set up direct deposit if you haven't already, keep doing those weekly certifications religiously (I set a phone reminder for Sunday mornings), and try not to stress too much about the exact timing. As long as there are no red flags with your claim, the money will come. The hardest part is just that initial waiting period when you're not sure what's happening.

Hey Freya, I just went through this exact same process about 3 months ago when my manufacturing job ended. Here's my actual timeline: Filed my initial claim on a Thursday, started doing weekly certifications the following Sunday, and received my first direct deposit payment 17 days after filing. The one-week waiting period definitely applies - you won't get paid for your very first week of unemployment, but you still need to file that weekly claim to get the process started. My biggest tip is to be super consistent with those Sunday weekly certifications (set a phone alarm!) and make sure you have direct deposit set up since that's the fastest way to get your money. The waiting is stressful but as long as your claim doesn't hit any snags, you should see that first payment within 2.5-3 weeks of filing. Hang in there!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - filed my claim 10 days ago after losing my restaurant job. The waiting and not knowing is honestly the worst part! Reading everyone's timelines here is really helpful. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously (thanks for the Sunday alarm tip, definitely setting that up). One thing I wanted to add is that I called the NYS DOL office and they told me to check my online account regularly because sometimes they'll post messages there if they need additional information, rather than sending mail or email. Also learned that if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, that can sometimes delay things while they verify wages across state lines. Fingers crossed we all get through this process smoothly!