How long does NY unemployment appeal hearing take after request in 2025?
I filed an appeal for my NY unemployment claim denial about 3 weeks ago, and haven't heard anything back yet. No confirmation, no hearing date, nothing. Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to get a hearing scheduled after you request one? I'm getting worried because I'm running out of savings and don't know if I should be looking for alternatives or just waiting. Has the process gotten any faster in 2025 or is it still super slow?
27 comments
Chloe Delgado
mine took 7 weeks to even get scheduled, then another 3 weeks until the actual hearing happened. this was just last month
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Liam O'Reilly
Ugh, that's so long! Did they at least tell you when it was scheduled or did you just randomly get a notice one day?
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Chloe Delgado
just got a letter in the mail randomly. no warning or anything before that
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Ava Harris
The official timeline for NY unemployment appeal hearings is currently 4-6 weeks for scheduling, though in reality it can take 6-10 weeks during high-volume periods. Once scheduled, hearings typically occur within 2-4 weeks. Make sure you received a confirmation number when you filed your appeal (should be on the NY.gov portal under your appeals section). The system is definitely backlogged right now due to the new verification system they implemented in January 2025.
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Liam O'Reilly
Thanks for the detailed info. I did get a confirmation number and it shows as 'pending' in the portal. I guess I just need to be more patient, but it's hard when the bills are piling up.
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Jacob Lee
When you submitted your appeal, did you include all the supporting documentation they requested? I've found that incomplete appeals often take much longer because they get stuck in a pre-processing queue. If you're waiting more than 5 weeks, I'd recommend trying to speak directly with an appeals specialist rather than a general agent.
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Liam O'Reilly
I thought I submitted everything, but now you've got me worried. Is there a way to check if my documentation was complete without waiting on hold for hours? The last time I called I couldn't even get through.
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Emily Thompson
I was in the same situation back in March. Couldn't get through on the phones FOREVER. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to call myself. The agent was able to confirm all my documents were received and even gave me an estimated date for my hearing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. Totally worth it for the peace of mind alone.
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Sophie Hernandez
does this actually work? seems sketchy to pay someone just to get thru to unemployment
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Emily Thompson
It's legit. They don't handle your claim or anything, they just connect your call to an actual NYSDOL agent. I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call for a week straight.
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Liam O'Reilly
I might try this because I'm going crazy not knowing what's happening with my appeal. Thanks for the tip!
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Daniela Rossi
THEY DON'T CARE HOW LONG IT TAKES!!! I waited THREE MONTHS for my hearing last year, and then they gave me only 2 DAYS notice before the actual hearing date. The whole system is designed to make people give up. Don't expect any courtesy or efficiency from these people!!!
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Jacob Lee
While the system can definitely be frustrating, hearing timelines have actually improved since late 2024 when they added more administrative law judges. The current backlog is mostly due to the verification system change, not intentional delays.
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Daniela Rossi
That's what they WANT you to believe. My cousin works for a contractor that does IT work for the state and says they deliberately understaff the appeals division. But sure, keep making excuses for them!!!
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Ryan Kim
Hey there! Just wanted to share my experience with the appeal process. I requested a hearing in February and got a confirmation email immediately. Then, complete silence for about 5 weeks. I started getting really anxious, so I called NYSDOL (took forever to get through!) and they told me they were processing my appeal but couldn't give me any timeline. About a week later, I suddenly got an email with my hearing date scheduled for the following week. So for me it was about 6 weeks total from request to actual hearing. The hearing itself was virtual and only took about 30 minutes. Hope this helps give you some perspective!
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Liam O'Reilly
That's actually really helpful to know! Did you win your appeal? I'm nervous about the hearing itself too.
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Ryan Kim
Yes, I did! The judge was actually really fair. Just make sure you have all your documentation organized and practice explaining your situation clearly. Also, write down any dates or important details so you don't forget them when you're nervous. You got this!
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Ava Harris
One more thing to consider: appeal timelines vary significantly based on the reason for your initial denial. If your case involves employer disputes or complex eligibility issues, it often takes longer to schedule. Simple documentation or technical issues generally move faster in the queue. The new rules implemented in the NY Unemployment Modernization Act of 2024 also prioritize certain types of appeals.
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Sophie Hernandez
my friend got his hearing in like 2 weeks but that was in january before they changed the system
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Ava Harris
January was actually an unusually quick period for appeals because the system had just been upgraded and there wasn't a backlog yet. February through April has seen much longer wait times as more claims came in.
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Zoe Walker
I was denied too and appelaed in January and still waiting for a hearing date. this is ridicualous. they expect us to just live on air while they take their sweet time?? i'm gonna lose my apartment if this keeps up
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Liam O'Reilly
That's so frustrating! Have you tried calling them at all? I'm worried I might end up in the same situation.
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Zoe Walker
called like 50 times cant get thru ever. gonna try that claimyr thing someone mentioned above cause im desperate at this point
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Chloe Delgado
does anyone know if you can still certify for benefits while waiting for the appeal hearing? my cousin told me you should keep certifying every week just in case
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Jacob Lee
Your cousin is correct. You should absolutely continue to certify for benefits weekly while waiting for your appeal. If you win your appeal, you'll only be paid for weeks you properly certified for, even if you were eligible otherwise.
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Jacob Lee
To directly answer your original question: The current official timeline for NY unemployment appeal hearings as of April 2025 is: 1. Initial appeal submission: 1-2 days for system processing 2. Appeal verification: 7-10 business days 3. Scheduling queue: 3-6 weeks (highly variable) 4. Notice of hearing date: Typically 7-14 days before the hearing 5. Actual hearing: Virtual hearings are now the default 6. Decision: Usually within 2-3 weeks after hearing However, this can vary significantly based on current volume and the complexity of your case. The best way to check your status is to speak directly with an appeals specialist.
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Liam O'Reilly
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for - thank you so much! Knowing the general timeline helps a lot with my planning. I'm at about 3 weeks now, so it sounds like I should expect to wait at least a few more weeks for scheduling. I'll try to get through to someone to check my status too.
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