How long does it take to get unemployment benefits approved by NYS Department of Labor?
I just filed my initial claim with NYS Department of Labor last Tuesday and I'm wondering what's realistic for timing. My previous job ended two weeks ago and I'm already behind on rent. The website says processing can take time but doesn't give specifics. Has anyone here gone through this recently? How long should I expect before I actually see money in my account? I heard some people wait months but hoping that's not normal.
100 comments


Evelyn Martinez
For straightforward claims without any issues, NYS Department of Labor typically processes applications within 1-2 weeks. However, if your claim requires adjudication (additional review), it can take 4-6 weeks or longer. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination.
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Alexander Evans
•What would cause it to need adjudication? I was laid off due to lack of work, nothing complicated.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
The standard processing time for NYS Department of Labor unemployment claims is typically 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your application. However, this can vary significantly depending on whether your claim requires adjudication. If there are any discrepancies or if additional documentation is needed, it could take 4-6 weeks or longer. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval - this is crucial for maintaining your eligibility.
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Giovanni Marino
•Thank you! What do you mean by adjudication exactly? How would I know if my claim needs that?
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Carmen Sanchez
The typical processing time for NYS Department of Labor is usually 2-3 weeks for a straightforward claim with no issues. Since you just filed last week, you're still within normal timeframes. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while it's pending - that's really important for getting paid retroactively once approved.
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Yuki Watanabe
•Oh I didn't know I needed to file weekly claims while it's still pending! I'll do that right away, thank you.
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Benjamin Carter
took me 3 weeks to get my first payment last year but that was during busy season. make sure you keep certifying weekly or you'll lose benefits for those weeks
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Yara Nassar
It typically takes 2-4 weeks for initial claims to be processed by NYS Department of Labor, but if your claim needs adjudication it can take much longer. Check if there's an 'Issue' section on your my.ny.gov account that shows any problems they need to review. Common delays happen when they need to verify your employment history or if there's a question about why you left your job.
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Connor O'Neill
•I checked and don't see any issues listed. Should I be worried that it's taking this long?
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Anna Xian
It depends on whether your claim needs adjudication or not. If everything is straightforward, you could see your first payment within 2-3 weeks after filing. But if there are any issues like job separation questions or wage verification problems, it can take much longer. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval.
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TillyCombatwarrior
•Thanks! What exactly is adjudication? My claim status just says 'under review' right now.
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Marcelle Drum
The initial processing typically takes 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. NYS Department of Labor has to verify your employment history and wages, which involves contacting your former employer. If everything checks out, you should start receiving payments for the weeks you've certified. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval - you can't get paid for weeks you didn't claim.
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Collins Angel
•Thanks! I didn't realize I needed to file weekly claims while waiting. How do I do that on the my.ny.gov website?
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Yara Khalil
The standard processing time for a straightforward unemployment claim is typically 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment, assuming there are no issues requiring adjudication. Since you mentioned a layoff due to downsizing, that's usually pretty clear-cut and shouldn't trigger any red flags. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval - you can't get paid for weeks you don't certify for.
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LunarEclipse
•Thanks! I did file my first weekly claim yesterday. Should I expect any kind of notification when my claim gets approved or will the money just show up?
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Natalie Khan
It depends on whether your claim needs adjudication or not. If everything is straightforward, you could see your first payment in 2-3 weeks after filing. But if there are any issues that need to be reviewed - like the reason you left your job, gaps in employment, or conflicting information - it can take much longer. The NYS Department of Labor has to verify everything before approving benefits.
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Rudy Cenizo
•What kind of issues would cause delays? I was laid off due to budget cuts so I think that should be pretty clear cut.
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Giovanni Conti
It usually takes 2-3 weeks for NYS Department of Labor to process your initial claim if there are no issues. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval - you can't get paid for weeks you don't certify. Check your my.ny.gov account regularly for any requests for additional information.
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Amara Chukwu
•Thanks! I didn't know I had to file weekly claims while waiting. I'll log in and do that right now.
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PixelPioneer
It really depends on your situation. If your claim is straightforward with no issues, you might see your first payment in 2-3 weeks after filing. But if there's any adjudication needed - like if your employer contests it or there's missing information - it can take 6-8 weeks or longer. The key is to keep filing your weekly claims even while it's processing.
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Yara Abboud
•What would cause adjudication? I was laid off due to company downsizing so I thought it would be pretty clear cut.
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
took me almost 6 weeks last year because they needed to verify my employment history with my previous employer. if your claim goes into adjudication it can take much longer
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Amara Chukwu
•Oh no, how do I know if it's in adjudication? My status just says under review.
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Andre Dupont
took me like 5 weeks last year but that was because they needed to verify my employment history
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Daryl Bright
Mine took 6 weeks and that was WITHOUT any complications! The adjudication process is a nightmare right now. My claim just sat there showing 'pending' for weeks with no updates. I tried calling the NYS Department of Labor like 50 times and could never get through to a human.
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Natalie Khan
•Six weeks is longer than usual for a straightforward claim. Did you eventually get approved for the full amount including back payments for those weeks?
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Daryl Bright
•Yeah I got everything backdated but it was stressful as hell not knowing what was happening.
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Sienna Gomez
If you need to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you get through to unemployment agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks before finding this option.
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
•Is that legit? I've never heard of using a third party service to contact government agencies.
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Sienna Gomez
•Yeah it's real, they just handle the calling and waiting for you. Saved me hours of sitting on hold.
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Abigail bergen
Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while your initial claim is pending! A lot of people miss that step and it can delay everything even more. You have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work.
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Rudy Cenizo
•Oh I didn't know about the weekly filing! Where do I do that at?
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Abigail bergen
•Same portal where you filed your claim - my.ny.gov. Look for 'weekly claim' or 'weekly certification' section.
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Tate Jensen
took me about 10 days when i filed last year but i think it depends on if they need to investigate anything about why you left your job
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Jungleboo Soletrain
took me almost 6 weeks to get my first payment last year, they had to verify my employment history with multiple employers
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Keisha Williams
took me about 3 weeks last year when i got laid off. make sure you're doing the weekly certifications on time or it delays everything
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Dylan Hughes
mine took forever!! like 5 weeks and they never told me why. just kept saying pending every time i checked my account
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NightOwl42
•Did you try calling the NYS Department of Labor directly? Sometimes there are issues that don't show up in your online account that need to be resolved over the phone. The key is getting through to an actual person who can look at your specific case.
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Maya Lewis
The waiting can be frustrating, especially when bills are piling up. A few things that might delay your claim: if you worked in multiple states recently, if there are questions about why you left your job, or if there's a wage discrepancy. You should receive a determination letter explaining your benefit amount and any waiting periods. If you need to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim status, I had luck using 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.
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Alexander Evans
•Thanks, I'll check that out if I don't hear anything soon. The phone lines are always busy when I try calling.
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Isaac Wright
•Never heard of that service before but might be worth trying. I've been trying to reach NYS Department of Labor for two weeks about my adjudication.
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NeonNova
The timeline depends on whether your case needs adjudication. Simple layoffs usually process faster (2-3 weeks), but if you quit, were fired, or there are questions about your work history, it goes to adjudication which can take 4-8 weeks. You'll get a determination letter explaining the decision once it's processed.
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Dylan Campbell
•This is so frustrating! I was laid off due to company downsizing but it's taking forever. I can't even get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor when I call.
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Sofia Hernandez
•I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Someone on here mentioned claimyr.com - it's a service that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. I tried it last month and got through to someone at NYS Department of Labor in like 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.
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Lucy Taylor
LMAO good luck getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor!! Been waiting 5 weeks for my claim and they keep saying "still processing" whenever I finally get someone on the phone. System is completely broken.
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Connor Murphy
•Same boat here, it's ridiculous how long this takes.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
I filed in January and got my first payment after 3 weeks. Make sure you have all your employment info ready and respond quickly to any requests from NYS Department of Labor or it will delay your claim even more.
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Paolo Rizzo
The NYS Department of Labor has improved processing times since the pandemic backlog cleared up. For standard claims without complications, you're looking at roughly 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment. However, certain red flags can trigger adjudication: voluntary quit situations, misconduct allegations, or wage discrepancies. Even simple things like not responding to a request for information within the deadline can cause delays. Check your account daily and respond immediately to any requests.
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Amina Sy
•This is so stressful! I keep checking my account multiple times a day but nothing changes. How do you even know if they need more information from you?
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Paolo Rizzo
•You'll get notifications in your online account and usually by mail too. The system will show if there are any outstanding requirements you need to complete.
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Sofia Rodriguez
I had a similar situation last year and was getting nowhere with the regular phone lines. A friend told me about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. I was skeptical at first but tried it and actually got connected to someone within an hour. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Turned out there was a simple verification issue holding up my claim that got resolved immediately once I talked to an agent.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money and don't want to pay for something that might not work.
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Sofia Rodriguez
•I totally understand the concern about cost when you're already dealing with unemployment. What I can say is that for me, getting my claim resolved quickly was worth it since I was losing potential benefits every week it was delayed. The main value is just being able to actually reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when you can't get through on your own.
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Ahooker-Equator
ugh the whole system is so slow, took me like a month and a half to get my first check last year
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Keisha Robinson
mine took 3 weeks and then i got a big back payment for all the weeks i certified. just keep doing your weekly claims even while its pending
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Adaline Wong
The timeline really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication. Simple layoffs usually process faster than situations where they need to determine if you're eligible. If you were laid off due to lack of work, that's straightforward. But if there were any issues with your termination, it could take 4-6 weeks while they investigate. You'll know if it's in adjudication because your claim status will show 'pending' with additional review required.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•What exactly triggers adjudication? I'm worried my claim might get delayed because my manager and I didn't get along very well.
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GalaxyGuardian
If you're stuck trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim status, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you actually reach a live agent instead of getting stuck in the phone maze. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
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Connor O'Neill
•That sounds helpful but is it legit? I'm worried about giving my info to random services.
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GalaxyGuardian
•I was skeptical too but it just helps you get connected - you're still talking directly to NYS Department of Labor staff, not giving info to anyone else.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Been waiting 5 weeks for mine to get approved. Called NYS Department of Labor dozens of times but can't get through to anyone. The automated system just hangs up on you after being on hold forever. It's absolutely ridiculous how impossible it is to reach a human being there.
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Peyton Clarke
•I had the same problem reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that calls the unemployment office for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. I used it last month when my claim was stuck and finally got answers about what was holding things up. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI and the website is claimyr.com. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.
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Keisha Brown
mine took exactly 18 days from filing to getting my first direct deposit but that was back in September. no issues with my claim either, just the normal processing time
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Paolo Esposito
If you're having trouble getting through to check on your claim status, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a real person at NYS Department of Labor. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was able to get through and confirm my claim was processing normally instead of worrying for weeks.
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Amina Toure
•How much does something like that cost though? I'm already strapped for cash waiting for benefits.
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Paolo Esposito
•It's worth checking out their site for details, but for me the peace of mind was worth it. Sitting around wondering if something was wrong with my claim was driving me crazy.
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Paolo Ricci
The whole system is a joke. They make you jump through hoops and then take forever to process anything. I waited 6 weeks last year and they acted like that was normal!
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Zoe Papadakis
If your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer - sometimes 4-6 weeks or more. Common reasons include job separation issues, earnings verification, or if your employer contests the claim. Keep checking your my.ny.gov account for any requests for additional information.
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Yuki Watanabe
•How will I know if it goes into adjudication? Will they send me something or do I just have to keep checking online?
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Zoe Papadakis
•They'll usually update your claim status online and may send you a determination letter. If they need additional info from you, you'll typically get a notice in your message center on the website.
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Amina Toure
Are you doing your job search requirements? Sometimes they hold up payments if you're not logging your job contacts properly in the system.
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Connor O'Neill
•Yes I've been keeping track of all my job applications. Do they check that before approving the claim?
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Ava Thompson
Don't hold your breath waiting for the NYS Department of Labor to move quickly on anything. Their system is a joke and they seem to make it as difficult as possible on purpose. I've been dealing with them for months on an overpayment issue and it's like pulling teeth to get any real answers.
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Miguel Herrera
•I hear you on the frustration but that doesn't really help OP who just needs to know realistic timeframes for a new claim.
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Oliver Fischer
I had such a nightmare with this last year - waited almost 2 months because I couldn't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to fix an issue with my claim. The phone lines are always busy and when you do get through they hang up on you half the time. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically calls for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. There's a video demo showing how it works at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI if you want to see. Saved me so much frustration honestly.
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Yara Abboud
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.
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Oliver Fischer
•It's worth it when you're stuck and can't reach anyone the normal way. Way cheaper than missing weeks of benefits because you can't get help.
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Natasha Ivanova
The whole system is a joke honestly. They make you jump through hoops for money that's rightfully yours. I've been waiting 5 weeks now for them to "review" my claim even though I have all the documentation they asked for. Meanwhile bills are piling up and they act like it's no big deal.
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NebulaNomad
•Same boat here, it's ridiculous how long this takes
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Rajan Walker
The typical timeline for NYS Department of Labor unemployment claims is 2-4 weeks for straightforward cases. However, if your claim requires adjudication (investigation into your job separation or eligibility), it can take 6-8 weeks or longer. Key factors that affect timing include: whether you were laid off vs fired, if you have multiple employers in your base period, and if all your wage information is in the system correctly. Keep filing your weekly claims regardless of your claim status.
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Nadia Zaldivar
•This is so stressful! I can't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to check on my claim status. The phone just rings busy all day.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor. I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. It's at claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was holding up my claim - turned out they needed additional documentation from my employer.
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Vince Eh
Just want to add that you should keep documentation of your job search activities from day one. NYS Department of Labor requires you to be actively looking for work and keeping records. Don't wait until they ask for proof - start logging your applications, interviews, and networking contacts immediately.
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Ava Thompson
The whole system is a NIGHTMARE. I waited 2 months just to get denied and had to appeal. NYS Department of Labor is completely overwhelmed and they don't care about people struggling to pay bills while waiting.
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Evelyn Martinez
To answer your adjudication question - common reasons include: separation issues (if your employer contests the claim), wage verification problems, or if you worked for multiple employers recently. Since you mentioned a straightforward layoff due to lack of work, your claim should process more quickly. Just keep filing those weekly certifications!
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Oliver Weber
Two to three weeks IF everything goes smoothly. But let me tell you, the NYS Department of Labor system is notorious for random delays and getting claims stuck in adjudication for no apparent reason. I've seen people wait 6+ weeks because some computer algorithm flagged their claim for manual review. The whole system is a mess and they barely have enough staff to handle the volume.
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LunarEclipse
•Oh great, that's exactly what I was worried about. Is there any way to prevent getting stuck in adjudication?
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Ev Luca
The whole system is a mess honestly. They say 2-3 weeks but mine took 2 MONTHS because they kept asking for more paperwork. Just be prepared to wait longer than they tell you.
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Avery Davis
•Same here, the delays are ridiculous
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ThunderBolt7
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when my claim was taking forever. Spent hours calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Honestly saved me so much frustration trying to get answers about my claim status.
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Jamal Edwards
•Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get hung up on
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Zainab Ali
Just wanted to add that while you're waiting, make sure you understand the job search requirements. Even though you're waiting for approval, you still need to be actively looking for work and documenting your job search activities. The NYS Department of Labor requires a certain number of job contacts per week depending on your situation.
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Keisha Williams
just keep filing weekly even if your claim is still pending. you can backdate payments once its approved but only if you kept doing the weekly certs
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FireflyDreams
Don't panic yet! Most claims do get processed within the normal timeframe. Since you filed last Tuesday, I'd expect to see movement by this coming Tuesday or Wednesday. The key is making sure you keep filing your weekly claims no matter what. Even if your initial claim takes longer to approve, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you certified for.
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Mei Chen
The whole system is so slow and they never give you straight answers about timing!! I've been waiting 3 weeks and still nothing. They make it impossible to reach anyone who can actually help.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
I'm in the same boat - filed 10 days ago and still showing under review. This waiting is killing me, I have no idea how I'm supposed to pay my bills while they take their sweet time deciding if I deserve help
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Keisha Brown
•hang in there, the waiting is definitely the worst part but most people do get approved eventually
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Jamal Edwards
Just keep filing those weekly claims like the other person said. That's the most important thing - don't skip any weeks or you'll lose those payments even when you do get approved.
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Lena Schultz
I filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and just got my first payment yesterday, so hang in there! The waiting is definitely stressful especially when you're behind on bills. Make sure you're doing your weekly certifications religiously - that was the biggest thing that helped me get everything backdated once it was approved. Also check your online account daily for any messages or requests for additional info, because responding quickly to those can prevent delays. Since you mentioned it was a straightforward layoff, you should hopefully avoid the adjudication process that can really drag things out.
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Zara Ahmed
•That's really encouraging to hear! Thanks for sharing your timeline. I've been doing my weekly certifications and checking my account daily like you suggested. It's just nerve-wracking when bills are due and you don't know when the money will actually come through. Glad to hear the backdating worked out for you once it was approved - that gives me some hope that I won't lose those weeks while waiting.
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