How long does it take for unemployment to start after filing with NYS Department of Labor?
I just filed my initial unemployment claim through the NYS Department of Labor website last Tuesday and I'm wondering how long it typically takes before you actually start receiving payments? My last day of work was two weeks ago and I really need to know when I can expect money to start coming in. I've been filing my weekly claims but my payment history still shows $0. Is this normal? How long did it take for everyone else's benefits to kick in?
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Amina Diallo
It usually takes 2-3 weeks from when you first file for your claim to be processed and approved by NYS Department of Labor. During this time they're verifying your employment history and wages with your former employer. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even if you haven't been paid yet, because you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't certify for.
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CosmicCowboy
•Thanks! I've been filing weekly but was worried I was doing something wrong since no money has shown up yet.
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Oliver Schulz
mine took almost 4 weeks because they had to verify something with my employer... kept showing pending the whole time
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Natasha Orlova
•Same here! I was freaking out thinking I did something wrong but it eventually went through. Just had to be patient with the NYS Department of Labor system.
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Javier Cruz
The key thing is that your first payment will include back pay for all the weeks you've been filing, assuming your claim gets approved. So if it takes 3 weeks to process, your first payment will cover all 3 weeks. NYS Department of Labor calls this the 'waiting week' concept, though they eliminated the actual waiting week requirement a few years ago.
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CosmicCowboy
•Oh that's a relief! I was worried I'd lose those first few weeks of benefits.
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Emma Wilson
If you're having trouble getting through to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual NYS Department of Labor agent without waiting on hold forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me from hours of calling and getting busy signals.
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CosmicCowboy
•Thanks for the tip! I might need that if my claim doesn't move soon.
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Malik Thomas
The NYS Department of Labor system is SO SLOW. I've been waiting 5 weeks now and still nothing! They keep saying 'processing' but no one can tell me what's actually happening with my claim.
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Amina Diallo
•After 4-5 weeks you should definitely try to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to see if there's an issue that needs to be resolved. Sometimes claims get stuck in adjudication if there's a question about your separation from work.
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