How long does it take to hear from NYS Department of Labor unemployment after you apply?
I submitted my unemployment application through my.ny.gov last Tuesday and haven't heard anything back yet. My account just shows 'application received' but no updates on whether it's approved or what the next steps are. I'm starting to worry because I need to know if I should keep looking for work or if there are specific requirements I need to follow. How long does it typically take for NYS Department of Labor to process initial applications? Should I be doing anything else while I wait?
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Liam O'Donnell
It usually takes 1-2 weeks for NYS Department of Labor to review your initial application. During this time they verify your employment history and earnings. You should receive a determination letter either approving or denying your claim. While you wait, make sure you're ready to start filing weekly claims as soon as you're approved - you'll need to do this every week to receive benefits.
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Mei Liu
•Thanks! Do I need to be looking for work during this waiting period or does that start after approval?
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Amara Nwosu
mine took exactly 10 days to get approved last month, but my friend waited almost 3 weeks because they had to verify her previous employer info
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AstroExplorer
You should definitely start your job search activities right away even before approval. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your search activities. If your claim gets approved, you'll need to certify that you've been looking for work for each week you're claiming benefits. It's better to start tracking this now rather than scrambling later.
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Giovanni Moretti
•Wait I thought the job search requirement was only 2 contacts per week? Or did they change it recently?
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AstroExplorer
•It's 3 work search activities per week. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or interviewing. You need to keep detailed records with dates, employer names, and what type of activity it was.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
I had such a nightmare trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when my application was taking forever. Spent hours on hold just to get hung up on. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to check on my claim status.
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Mei Liu
•That sounds too good to be true honestly. How much does something like that cost?
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. The main thing is it saves you from sitting on hold for hours. When you really need to talk to someone about your claim, it's worth it.
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Dylan Cooper
just be patient, the system is overwhelmed and they're doing their best. took me 2.5 weeks but everything worked out fine in the end
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Sofia Perez
Make sure you check your my.ny.gov account daily for any updates or requests for additional information. Sometimes they need extra documentation and if you don't respond quickly it can delay your claim even more. Also double check that all your personal information and work history is accurate on your application.
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Mei Liu
•Good point, I'll start checking more frequently. I only put in my last employer - should I have included all my jobs from the past year?
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Mila Walker
•Yes, you should include all employers from the past 18 months, not just your most recent one. NYS DOL uses this to calculate your benefit amount based on your earnings history. If you only included your last job, that might be why it's taking longer - they may need to request additional wage information from other employers. You might want to log back into your account and see if you can update your work history or if they've sent any requests for more documentation.
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Keisha Robinson
I'm going through the same waiting period right now - submitted my application 8 days ago and still just seeing "application received" status. Reading through these responses is really helpful! I had no idea about the 3 work search activities per week requirement. @AstroExplorer do you know if volunteering or taking online courses counts toward those activities, or does it have to be actual job applications and interviews?
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Sebastian Scott
•Hey @Keisha Robinson! From what I understand, NYS DOL is pretty specific about what counts as valid work search activities. Online courses and volunteering typically don't count toward your 3 weekly requirements unless they're directly job-related training programs approved by the DOL. The activities that definitely count are: job applications, job interviews, attending job fairs, networking events with potential employers, and contacting employers directly about positions. Some career counseling sessions might count too. I'd recommend focusing on actual job applications and employer contacts to be safe - you can always do the courses and volunteering as extras but don't rely on them to meet your weekly requirement.
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Aria Washington
Just wanted to add - if you're getting anxious about the wait time, you can try calling the NYS DOL customer service line (888-209-8124) but be prepared for long hold times. I found the best time to call is right when they open at 8am on weekdays. Also, make sure you have your confirmation number from when you submitted your application handy - they'll ask for it. While you're waiting, definitely start that job search log like others mentioned. I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, company name, position applied for, and how I contacted them. Makes the weekly certification process much easier once you're approved!
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Dylan Campbell
•Thanks for the tip about calling at 8am @Aria Washington! That's really smart timing advice. I'm definitely going to start that job search spreadsheet today - better to be over-prepared than scrambling later. Quick question though - when you say "how I contacted them" do you need to be specific like "applied through company website" vs just "online application"? I want to make sure I'm tracking the right level of detail for when I have to certify those weekly claims.
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