How long does it take to get a determination letter from NYS Department of Labor unemployment?
I submitted my unemployment claim about 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for my determination letter from NYS Department of Labor. My claim status just says 'under review' and I haven't received anything in the mail or through my.ny.gov. I'm starting to get worried because I have bills due next week. For those who have been through this process recently, how long did it take you to get your determination letter? Is 2 weeks normal or should I be concerned something went wrong with my application?
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PixelWarrior
The determination letter timeline varies depending on your situation. If it's a straightforward claim with no complications, you might get it within 2-3 weeks. However, if there are any issues that require adjudication - like questions about why you left your job, availability for work, or wage verification - it can take 4-6 weeks or longer. Since you're at 2 weeks, you're still within the normal range.
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Liam Fitzgerald
•That's somewhat reassuring. I left my job because of a layoff so hopefully that should be straightforward. No issues with my work availability either.
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Amara Adebayo
mine took almost a month!! i was freaking out too but it finally came. the waiting is the worst part honestly
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Giovanni Rossi
If you're getting anxious about the timeline, you can try calling NYS Department of Labor to check your claim status. However, be prepared for long wait times or busy signals. I had better luck calling early in the morning around 8 AM when they first open. You can also check your online account for any updates or requests for additional information.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•Good luck getting through to them! I tried calling for weeks and either got disconnected or sat on hold for hours. Super frustrating when you're just trying to check on your own claim status.
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Dylan Evans
•I had the same problem with calling NYS Department of Labor - impossible to get through. I ended up using Claimyr.com which actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Definitely worth trying if you keep getting frustrated with the regular phone lines.
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Sofia Gomez
The determination letter process is honestly broken. I've been waiting 5 weeks now and still nothing. My rent is overdue and I'm getting eviction notices but NYS Department of Labor doesn't care. They just keep saying 'it's being processed' with no actual timeline. The whole system is designed to make you give up and not collect benefits.
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PixelWarrior
•5 weeks is definitely longer than average. Have you received any requests for additional documentation or noticed any issues flagged in your online account? Sometimes delays happen when they need to verify employment history or if there's a separation issue that requires adjudication.
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StormChaser
Same boat here! Filed 3 weeks ago and nothing yet. At least I'm not the only one waiting. This whole process makes me so anxious - like what if they deny it and I've been waiting for nothing?
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Kolton Murphy
I totally get that anxiety - I was in the same headspace when I was waiting for mine last year. The good news is that if you were laid off (like it sounds like you were), those claims typically have a much higher approval rate since it's not a voluntary quit or misconduct situation. Most determination letters I've seen for layoffs are approvals, so try not to stress too much about denial. The waiting is brutal though - I remember checking my mailbox and online account obsessively every day. Hang in there, it should come through soon!
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Max Reyes
•@Kolton Murphy Thanks for the reassurance! That really helps ease my anxiety. You re'right - I keep obsessively checking both my mailbox and the online portal multiple times a day. It s'consuming way too much of my mental energy. I appreciate you sharing that layoff claims typically get approved. I ll'try to be more patient and trust the process.
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Theodore Nelson
I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for the determination letter. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget and plan for the weeks ahead. From what I've been reading online, it seems like NYS DOL is still dealing with backlogs from the pandemic era, which might be contributing to the delays. I've been trying to stay patient but it's hard when bills are piling up. Has anyone tried reaching out to their local assemblyperson or senator's office? I heard sometimes they can help expedite things or at least get you a status update.
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Savanna Franklin
•That's actually a really good suggestion about contacting your assemblyperson or senator's office! I hadn't thought of that approach. I'm also dealing with the same waiting game - filed about 2.5 weeks ago and still nothing. The budgeting stress is real when you don't know when (or if) that first payment will hit. I've been putting off some non-essential expenses but the essential bills keep coming regardless. Did you find any specific contact information for reaching out to local representatives about unemployment issues?
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