How long does it take for NYS Department of Labor to review your unemployment claim?

The initial review process typically takes 7-10 business days for straightforward claims. However, if your claim requires adjudication (which happens when there are questions about your eligibility), it can take 3-6 weeks. Check if you have any pending issues in your account that might be causing delays.

mine took 2 weeks last year and that was without any complications... the system is just slow sometimes

If you're getting frustrated trying to reach NYS Department of Labor by phone, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get my claim status clarified when I was stuck waiting.

The NYS Department of Labor is HORRIBLE with timelines. They say 7-10 days but I've seen people wait MONTHS for simple approvals. The whole system is a joke and they don't care about people who need money to survive.

Just wanted to add that if you quit your job or were fired, that automatically triggers adjudication which adds weeks to the process. Most people don't realize this and think something is wrong with their claim.

OMG this is giving me anxiety because I'm in the exact same situation!! Filed last Thursday and nothing yet. What if they deny it?? I already spent money I don't have thinking this would be approved by now.

I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim 8 days ago and still showing "under review" with no updates. The uncertainty is really stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been checking the portal obsessively but nothing changes. Has anyone had success calling the DOL directly to get a status update, or do they just tell you to wait like everyone else says?

I feel your frustration! I went through this same anxiety-inducing wait last year. It took exactly 9 business days for my claim to get approved, and like you, I had no pending issues showing up. The "under review" status is completely normal - it just means they're verifying your employment history and wages with your previous employer. Since you were laid off due to downsizing, that should actually work in your favor as there's no question about your eligibility reason. Try to hang in there - most straightforward layoff claims do get approved, it's just the waiting that's brutal when you're worried about bills.

I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago and completely understand the stress you're feeling. My claim took 8 business days to get approved, and like you, I was checking the portal constantly with no updates. One thing that helped me stay sane was setting up a routine to only check it once per day instead of multiple times. The waiting period is definitely the worst part, especially when you have bills coming due. Since you mentioned it's been 6 days and you were laid off due to company downsizing, you're probably right on track for the typical 7-10 business day timeframe. Try to hang in there - the system is slow but it usually works out for legitimate claims like yours.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 5 days ago after being laid off and it's still showing "under review" with no timeline given. The lack of communication from NYS DOL is really frustrating when you're trying to budget and plan around when benefits might start. I've been reading through all these responses and it sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty normal, but man, when you're counting on that money it feels like forever. At least it's reassuring to know this wait time is typical and not a sign that something's wrong with my claim. Fingers crossed we both hear something soon!

I'm on day 7 of waiting for my unemployment claim review after being laid off, and reading through everyone's experiences here is both comforting and nerve-wracking! It's reassuring to see that 7-10 business days seems to be the standard timeline for most people, especially for straightforward layoff cases. What's been driving me crazy is exactly what others have mentioned - the complete lack of transparency in the system. Just that vague "under review" status with no progress indicator or estimated completion date. I've been checking obsessively too, but I'm going to try that advice about limiting it to once per day. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it really helps to know this waiting period is normal even though it feels eternal when you're stressed about finances!

I'm currently on day 4 of waiting for my unemployment claim to be reviewed after a company layoff, and this thread has been incredibly helpful for managing my expectations! It's such a relief to see that the 7-10 business day timeline is pretty consistent across everyone's experiences. What really struck me is how many people mentioned the anxiety of obsessively checking the portal - I thought I was the only one doing that! The suggestion about limiting checks to once per day is definitely something I'm going to implement. It's frustrating that NYS DOL doesn't provide more transparency in their process, but knowing that "under review" is normal and not a red flag makes me feel much better. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this waiting game!