How long does it take to get an answer from NYS Department of Labor unemployment appeal?
I submitted my unemployment appeal to NYS Department of Labor about 6 weeks ago after they denied my initial claim. The hearing was scheduled and completed 3 weeks ago, but I still haven't received any decision. The administrative law judge said I would get a written decision within a reasonable timeframe, but what does that actually mean? I'm getting really anxious because I've been without any income this whole time and my savings are almost gone. Has anyone been through this process recently? How long did it take to get your appeal decision back?
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Khalid Howes
Appeal decisions from NYS Department of Labor typically take 4-8 weeks after the hearing concludes. The administrative law judge has to review all testimony and evidence before issuing a written determination. You should receive the decision by mail, and it will also be available in your online account. If it's been 3 weeks since your hearing, you're probably looking at another 1-5 weeks depending on their current backlog.
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Rita Jacobs
•Thank you, that helps put my mind at ease a bit. I was worried something went wrong with my case.
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Ben Cooper
Mine took exactly 7 weeks after the hearing last year. The waiting is brutal especially when you need the money but theres really nothing you can do to speed it up unfortunately
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Naila Gordon
•Actually, if you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to check on your appeal status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me from sitting on hold for hours trying to get updates on my case.
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Rita Jacobs
•Interesting, I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for weeks but can never get through to anyone who can give me a status update.
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Cynthia Love
The whole appeals process is such a nightmare! I'm dealing with the same thing right now except my hearing isn't even scheduled yet and it's been 2 months since I filed my appeal. How is this even legal to make people wait so long without any income?? The system is completely broken.
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Darren Brooks
•I feel your frustration! The delays have gotten much worse since COVID. Hang in there, most people do eventually get their hearings scheduled.
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Rosie Harper
just curious what was your appeal about? i might need to file one too but not sure if its worth the hassle
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Rita Jacobs
•They initially denied my claim saying I quit voluntarily, but I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. Had to gather documentation from my former employer to prove it wasn't voluntary. Definitely worth appealing if you have good grounds.
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QuantumQuest
I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago. My appeal decision took 6 weeks after the hearing, which sounds pretty typical based on what others are saying here. I know the waiting is incredibly stressful when you're running out of money - I had to borrow from family just to get by during that period. One thing that helped me was calling my local assembly member's office. They have constituent services that can sometimes help expedite things or at least get you a real status update. Also make sure you're checking your online account regularly since sometimes the decision shows up there before the mail arrives. Stay strong, most appeals do get resolved eventually!
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Amara Eze
•Thanks for sharing your experience and the tip about contacting your assembly member's office - I hadn't thought of that! I've been checking my online account daily but nothing yet. It's reassuring to hear that 6 weeks is normal, even though the waiting feels endless when you're stressed about finances. Did your assembly member's office actually help speed things up, or did they just give you a status update?
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