How long does it take to find out if you get unemployment approved by NYS Department of Labor?
I submitted my initial unemployment claim through the NYS Department of Labor website last Tuesday and I'm getting anxious about when I'll hear back. My claim status just says 'under review' and I have no idea what that means or how long this process usually takes. I really need to know if I'm approved because I have rent due next week and I'm counting on this money. Has anyone been through this recently? How long did you wait to find out if your claim was approved?
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Victoria Jones
The initial determination usually takes 1-3 weeks depending on your situation. If your case is straightforward with no red flags, you might hear back in about a week. However, if they need to verify your employment history or if there are any issues that require adjudication, it can take longer - sometimes up to 4-6 weeks.
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Mateo Silva
•What kind of red flags would cause delays? I was laid off from my job so I don't think there should be any issues.
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Cameron Black
mine took exactly 10 days last month, got the determination letter in my inbox on my.ny.gov portal
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Jessica Nguyen
Check your my.ny.gov account regularly because that's where you'll see updates first. The determination letter will show up there before you get anything in the mail. Also make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination - you can't get paid for weeks you don't claim.
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Mateo Silva
•I didn't know I needed to file weekly claims while waiting! Should I start doing that now even though I haven't been approved yet?
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Jessica Nguyen
•Yes, absolutely start filing your weekly claims right away. You can file for any week after your last day of work. If you're approved, you'll get paid for all the weeks you filed. If you don't file, you lose those weeks forever.
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Isaiah Thompson
I've been waiting three weeks and still nothing! Called the NYS Department of Labor like 50 times and can never get through. This system is completely broken and they don't care that people are struggling to pay bills.
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Ruby Garcia
•I had the same problem with getting through on the phone. Someone here recommended claimyr.com which actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Worth trying if you're stuck.
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Alexander Evans
The waiting is the worst part honestly. I remember refreshing my account like every hour when I first applied. Just try to be patient and make sure all your information was accurate when you filed.
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