How long does it take to receive unemployment benefits in NYC after filing with NYS Department of Labor?

The standard timeline is usually 2-3 weeks from when you file your initial claim to receiving your first payment, assuming there are no issues with your application. Since you filed last week, you should expect to hear something within the next week or two. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed - this is crucial for getting paid for those weeks.

took me like a month last year but that was because they needed to verify my employment history... if everything looks good on your application it should be faster

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to check on your claim status, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me when I was stuck in adjudication limbo.

The whole system is so SLOW and they act like we don't have bills to pay! I've been waiting 3 weeks and still nothing. Called like 50 times and can never get through to anyone who can actually help. NYC cost of living doesn't wait for NYS Department of Labor to get their act together!

same boat here, filed 2 weeks ago and rent is due monday... this is so stressful

One important thing to remember - your first payment will be for the week AFTER you filed, not the week you actually lost your job. So there's always going to be about a 1-week waiting period built in. Also make sure you have direct deposit set up in your account to speed up payments once they start coming.

Hey Dylan, I just went through this process a few months ago when I got laid off from my job in Brooklyn. The timeline can really vary depending on your situation, but here's what I learned: if you worked consistently for 2 years like you did, your case should be pretty straightforward. The key thing is to keep filing those weekly certifications even while waiting - I made that mistake initially and it delayed my payments. Also, since you're stressed about rent, you might want to look into emergency rental assistance programs in NYC while you wait. The city has several programs that can help bridge the gap. Hang in there - I know it's nerve-wracking but most people do get approved if they meet the basic requirements!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago after getting laid off from my retail job in Queens. The waiting period is absolutely brutal, especially when you have immediate bills like rent. From my experience, it took about 2.5 weeks to get my first payment, but that felt like forever when I was counting every dollar. A few tips that helped me: 1) Set up text alerts in your NY.gov account so you know immediately when there are updates, 2) If you have any friends or family who can help with rent this month, don't be too proud to ask - think of it as a short-term loan since your benefits should start soon, and 3) Contact your landlord NOW to let them know the situation - most NYC landlords have dealt with this before and may work with you on timing if you're proactive about communication. The restaurant industry has been hit hard so your case should be pretty clear-cut for approval. Stay strong!

I'm in a similar situation - just filed my claim yesterday after getting let go from my tech job in Brooklyn. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the 2-3 week timeline is pretty standard, but the waiting is definitely stressful when bills don't pause. I appreciate everyone sharing their actual experiences rather than just the official timeline. Quick question for those who've been through this - is there any way to check if your claim is progressing normally, or do you just have to wait for updates? The "claim under review" status doesn't give much info about whether everything is on track or if there might be delays.