How long does a pending adjudication take for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
My unemployment claim has been stuck in pending adjudication for almost 5 weeks now and I'm starting to panic. I filed back in early December and everything seemed fine at first, but then it went into this adjudication status and hasn't moved since. The my.ny.gov portal doesn't give me any details about what they're reviewing or how much longer it might take. I've been continuing to file my weekly claims but obviously not getting any payments. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is 5 weeks normal or should I be worried something is seriously wrong with my claim?
13 comments


Mateo Sanchez
Adjudication timelines with NYS Department of Labor can vary significantly depending on the complexity of your case. Typical adjudication reviews take anywhere from 3-8 weeks, though more complex cases involving separation issues or wage disputes can take longer. The good news is that you're continuing to file your weekly claims - that's crucial because if approved, you'll receive back pay for all eligible weeks. Common reasons for adjudication include questions about your reason for leaving your last job, availability for work, or wage verification issues.
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Nia Wilson
•Thanks for the info. I left my job because my hours got cut to almost nothing and I couldn't afford to stay. Think that's what triggered the review?
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Aisha Mahmood
I went through a similar situation last year and it took exactly 6 weeks for my adjudication to clear. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, especially when bills are piling up. Have you tried calling the NYS Department of Labor to check on the status? Sometimes they can give you a better idea of what's being reviewed, though getting through can be challenging.
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Nia Wilson
•I've tried calling multiple times but either get disconnected or the wait times are insane. Did you have any luck getting through when you called?
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Aisha Mahmood
•Honestly, I had the same problem with calling. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was really helpful to finally talk to someone who could explain what was happening with my claim.
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Ethan Clark
5 weeks is getting into the longer range but not unheard of. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! I made the mistake of stopping during my adjudication and it created a whole mess when my claim finally got approved.
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Nia Wilson
•Oh wow, good to know. I'll definitely keep filing then. How long did yours take total?
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AstroAce
ugh this whole system is so frustrating!! why does everything with unemployment take FOREVER? like they know people need money to live right?? my friend waited 2 months for her adjudication and she almost lost her apartment waiting
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Mateo Sanchez
•I understand the frustration. The adjudication process exists to ensure benefits go to eligible claimants, but the delays can definitely create hardships. If you're facing immediate financial difficulties, you might want to look into local assistance programs while waiting for your claim to resolve.
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Yuki Kobayashi
Been there! Mine took about 4 weeks but felt like forever. Just hang in there and keep doing what you're doing with the weekly claims.
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Ethan Taylor
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-December and been in adjudication for 4 weeks. It's so stressful not knowing what's happening or when it might resolve. Have you received any correspondence from NYSDOL explaining what specifically they're reviewing? I got one generic letter saying they need to verify my employment separation but nothing since then. Really hoping both our cases move forward soon!
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Monique Byrd
•I'm in almost the exact same boat! Filed early December and it's been 5 weeks in adjudication for me. I got a similar generic letter about verifying my employment separation but nothing else since. The waiting is killing me - I keep checking the portal hoping something has changed. At least we're not alone in this! Fingers crossed both our cases get resolved soon. Have you tried any of the suggestions mentioned above like Claimyr to get through to someone?
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Natasha Ivanova
I'm dealing with this too and it's incredibly stressful! Filed in late November and I've been in adjudication for 6 weeks now. From what I've learned talking to others and researching online, reduced hours situations like yours can definitely trigger adjudication because they need to verify it qualifies as "good cause" for leaving. The frustrating part is the complete lack of communication - you'd think they could at least give us a timeline or status update. I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities and weekly certifications just in case they ask for them later. Stay strong and keep filing those weekly claims - from everything I've read, the back pay makes it worth the wait once it finally goes through.
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