How long does unemployment take to get approved by NYS Department of Labor?

The standard timeframe for NYS Department of Labor claim approval is usually 2-3 weeks from your filing date, but it can take longer if your claim requires adjudication. Since you're at the 2-week mark, you're still within the normal processing window. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while it's pending - you won't get paid until approved but you need to maintain your claim.

mine took almost 4 weeks last year, ended up being some issue with my previous employer not responding to their inquiry fast enough

If you need to check on your claim status or speak with someone about potential delays, you might want to try Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help people get through to NYS Department of Labor agents without the usual phone hassles. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I used it when my claim was stuck in adjudication and finally got answers about what was holding things up.

ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is SO SLOW these days! took them 5 weeks to approve mine and that was supposedly a straightforward case

Just keep filing your weekly claims and be patient. The system is backlogged but they will process your claim. Make sure you have your job search documentation ready too since that's required once you start receiving benefits.

I'm in a similar situation - filed 3 weeks ago and still pending. What's really frustrating is that I can't get through to anyone on the phone to check what's happening with my claim. The automated system just tells me to wait. Has anyone had luck reaching an actual person at NYS Department of Labor recently? I'm worried there might be some issue with my application that I don't know about.

I went through this exact same thing last year - filed after getting laid off and was stressed about the timing too. Two weeks is still within normal range, though I know that doesn't help with your immediate rent concerns. One thing that helped me was contacting local food banks and utility assistance programs while waiting for approval. Many have emergency assistance for people waiting on unemployment. Also, if you haven't already, double-check that your employer information was entered exactly as it appears on your pay stubs - sometimes small discrepancies can cause delays. Hang in there, the back pay will come through once it's approved!

I'm going through this same situation right now - filed my claim 10 days ago and still showing pending status. The waiting is really nerve-wracking, especially when you're counting on that money for basic expenses. From what I've gathered reading other posts in this community, it seems like 2-4 weeks is pretty typical, but that doesn't make it any less stressful when you're living it. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications and keeping all my documentation organized. Has anyone found that calling repeatedly actually helps speed things up, or is it really just a waiting game? Stay strong @Zoe Christodoulou - sounds like you're doing everything right!

I'm a case worker who helps people navigate unemployment benefits, and I want to reassure you that 2 weeks is still very much in the normal range for NYS DOL processing. What you're experiencing is typical, especially during busy periods. A few practical tips while you wait: 1) Keep filing those weekly certifications religiously - this is crucial and you're already doing it right, 2) Document everything - save confirmation numbers, screenshots of your claim status, etc., 3) If you're really concerned about timing, you can try reaching out to your local assembly member's office - they sometimes have staff who can help constituents navigate state agency issues. For immediate financial relief while waiting, look into local emergency assistance programs, food pantries, and see if your utility companies offer hardship deferrals. The waiting is stressful, but you're doing everything correctly and the back pay will cover all the weeks you've been filing once approved. Hang in there!

I'm in week 3 of waiting for my NYS DOL claim approval and wanted to share what I've learned from calling around. If your claim goes beyond 3 weeks, you can also try contacting your local One-Stop Career Center - they have direct lines to DOL and can sometimes help check on claim status. I finally got through last week and found out my delay was because they needed additional verification from my previous employer. The representative told me that retail job separations sometimes take longer because they have to verify the reason for separation (layoff vs termination). Since you mentioned you were laid off from retail, this might be relevant. Also, if you're really struggling financially, check if you qualify for emergency SNAP benefits while waiting - the application is much faster than unemployment and can help with food costs. Keep hanging in there, the system is slow but it does work eventually!