How long for unemployment to get approved in NYS - still waiting after 6 weeks
Filed my unemployment claim 6 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back from NYS Department of Labor. My claim status just says 'under review' and I'm starting to panic about my bills. I know someone who got approved in 2 weeks but mine seems to be taking forever. Is this normal? How long should I expect to wait for approval? I've been certifying weekly like I'm supposed to but no payments yet.
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Khalil Urso
The typical processing time for NYS Department of Labor claims is 2-4 weeks, but if your claim requires adjudication it can take much longer. Check if there are any outstanding issues listed in your online account - sometimes they need additional documentation or verification. If it's been 6 weeks with no communication, that's definitely longer than average.
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Nasira Ibanez
•I checked my account and it doesn't show any issues that need to be resolved. Just says under review. Should I try calling them?
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Myles Regis
mine took 8 weeks last year because they had to verify my previous employer info... the waiting is awful especially when you have rent due
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Brian Downey
•Same here! The uncertainty is almost worse than being unemployed. At least you know others are going through it too.
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Jacinda Yu
If you've been waiting 6 weeks without any explanation, I'd definitely try calling the NYS Department of Labor. The phone lines are usually swamped though. I actually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't reach anyone for weeks. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me tons of frustration with busy signals.
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Nasira Ibanez
•Never heard of that service but I'm desperate at this point. The regular phone number just hangs up on me after being on hold.
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Landon Flounder
•Is that service legit? Sounds too good to be true but if it actually works...
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Callum Savage
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!! I've been waiting 10 weeks for my claim and they keep saying they need more time. Meanwhile I'm about to lose my apartment. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care about people struggling to survive.
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Khalil Urso
•I understand the frustration, but extended delays usually happen when there are complex issues with work history or employer disputes. Have you tried requesting a status update in writing?
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Ally Tailer
Keep certifying your weekly claims even while waiting for approval. Once they process your initial claim, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you certified. The key is staying consistent with your weekly filings and job search activities. Document everything in case they ask for proof later.
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Nasira Ibanez
•Good to know about the backpay! I've been doing my weekly certifications but wasn't sure if it mattered while the claim was still pending.
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Kayla Jacobson
I'm in a similar situation - filed 7 weeks ago and still waiting. What I've learned is that you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson or state senator's office. They sometimes have dedicated liaisons who can help escalate cases with the Department of Labor. I reached out to mine last week and they said they'd make an inquiry on my behalf. Worth a shot if the phone lines aren't working for you. Also make sure you're keeping records of all your job search activities and any correspondence attempts with DOL.
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