How long does unemployment fact finding take - NYS Department of Labor adjudication timeline?
Been waiting on my unemployment claim for 5 weeks now and it's stuck in fact finding. The NYS Department of Labor website just says 'adjudication in progress' but doesn't give any timeline. I submitted all the documents they requested about my separation from my retail job back in early December. My former employer disputed my claim saying I quit but I was actually laid off due to store restructuring. How long does this fact finding process usually take? I'm getting desperate here, rent is due next week and I have no other income coming in.
10 comments


Abby Marshall
Fact finding investigations can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on how complex your case is. Since your employer disputed the claim, NYS Department of Labor has to investigate both sides of the story. They'll review your separation documentation, possibly contact your former employer for additional information, and may even schedule a phone interview with you. The good news is that if you're approved, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you've been waiting.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•8 weeks?! I can't wait that long. Is there any way to speed this up or at least talk to someone about the status?
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Sadie Benitez
i had the same thing happen last year took about 6 weeks total but i eventually got approved and got all my back benefits. the waiting is brutal but hang in there
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Drew Hathaway
I was stuck trying to reach NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my adjudication status. Calling the regular number was hopeless - either busy signals or getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Cost me less than what I was spending on gas driving to the local office, and I got answers about my case the same day.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Never heard of that before. Did they actually help resolve your adjudication or just get you through to someone?
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Drew Hathaway
•They got me connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent who could look up my case and explain exactly what documents were still needed. Turned out there was one form I hadn't submitted properly. Got it resolved within a few days after that call.
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Laila Prince
This whole system is broken!! I've been waiting 7 WEEKS for my fact finding to complete and every time I call they tell me 'just wait longer.' Meanwhile I'm behind on everything and my credit is getting destroyed. NYS Department of Labor acts like our financial emergencies don't matter while they take their sweet time reviewing paperwork.
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Isabel Vega
•I feel you on this. The stress is unreal when you're waiting for benefits and bills keep coming.
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Abby Marshall
For what it's worth, make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while waiting for the adjudication to complete. A lot of people stop filing thinking there's no point, but you need those weeks on record to get your back pay once the decision comes through. Also keep documenting your job search activities since you'll need to meet those requirements once benefits start.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Yes I've been keeping up with the weekly claims and job search log. Just nerve-wracking not knowing when this will end.
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