How long does it usually take to receive unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
I just submitted my initial unemployment claim through my.ny.gov last Tuesday and I'm wondering what the typical timeline is to actually start receiving payments. My former employer hasn't contested anything yet and I don't think there are any red flags on my application. I've been reading conflicting information online - some sources say 2-3 weeks, others mention it could be up to 6 weeks depending on adjudication. Does anyone know what the current processing times are like at NYS Department of Labor? I need to plan my budget accordingly.
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Charlee Coleman
The timeline really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication or not. If everything is straightforward with no issues, you typically see your first payment about 2-3 weeks after filing your initial claim. However, if there are any questions about your separation from employment, work history, or eligibility, it can take 4-6 weeks or longer while they investigate. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting - you won't get paid for weeks you don't certify.
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Sara Hellquiem
•Thanks! I've been doing my weekly claims religiously. Is there any way to tell if my claim is in adjudication or just normal processing?
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Liv Park
ugh same boat here been waiting 3 weeks already and nothing in my account yet. called the 888 number like 50 times and keep getting hung up on. this is ridiculous
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Leeann Blackstein
•I had the same issue with calling. If you really need to speak to someone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.
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Ryder Greene
In my experience it was exactly 3 weeks from filing to first payment, but that was back in 2023. I think they're still dealing with backlogs from all the changes they made to their systems. The key is making sure you don't miss any weekly certifications because you can't go back and file for previous weeks.
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Carmella Fromis
•Wait, you can't file for previous weeks? I missed one week because I was confused about the deadline. Am I screwed?
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Ryder Greene
•You might be able to request backdating but it's complicated. You'd need to call and explain why you missed the deadline.
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Theodore Nelson
Just wanted to add that even after you start receiving benefits, sometimes there can be delays with individual payments. I've had weeks where the money showed up on Tuesday and other weeks it was Friday. Don't panic if one payment seems late - the system isn't always consistent with timing.
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Fernanda Marquez
I'm currently going through the same process - filed my claim 10 days ago and still waiting. From what I've gathered talking to others in similar situations, the 2-3 week timeline seems to be accurate if there are no complications. One thing I learned is that you can check your claim status on the ny.gov portal under "View Payment History" - it won't show payments yet but it will indicate if there are any issues or if your claim is being reviewed. Also make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly because that can cause delays too. Hang in there, it's frustrating but most people do get their first payment within that 3 week window.
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