How long unemployment appeal take - NYS Department of Labor timeline?

The appeal process with NYS Department of Labor typically takes 6-12 weeks from when you file to when you get a hearing scheduled. Then you'll have the hearing, and the Administrative Law Judge usually issues a decision within 2-4 weeks after that. So you're looking at potentially 2-4 months total. I know it's frustrating but 6 weeks isn't unusual for the initial wait.

mine took 3 months last year, but once i got the hearing it went pretty fast. make sure you have all your documentation ready - pay stubs, termination letter, any emails or texts with your employer

The wait times have gotten really bad since COVID. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor issues for months. If you need to check on your appeal status, I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents on the phone. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been waiting 4 months for my appeal hearing and they keep rescheduling it. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if we starve while waiting for their precious bureaucracy to move.

Just wanted to say hang in there - I know how stressful this is. My appeal took about 10 weeks total but I did win in the end. The key is having good documentation to prove your case.

I went through a similar situation last year - waited 8 weeks for my hearing date, then another 3 weeks for the decision after the hearing. While you're waiting, you might want to look into emergency assistance programs through your county's social services department. Many have rental assistance and food programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment appeals. Also, make sure you're keeping detailed records of your job search efforts during this time, as they may ask for that documentation later. The waiting is brutal but try to stay organized with all your paperwork.

I'm going through something similar right now - filed my appeal 4 weeks ago and also waiting to hear back. One thing that helped me was calling the Department of Labor's dedicated appeal line (518-402-0205) early in the morning around 8 AM when they open. I was actually able to get through and confirm they received my paperwork and get a rough timeline. The rep told me appeals are currently taking 8-10 weeks just to get scheduled for a hearing. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you keep filing your weekly certifications even while the appeal is pending - if you win, they'll backdate your benefits to cover that period. Stay strong, I know how nerve-wracking this whole process is.

I'm in a similar boat - filed my appeal 5 weeks ago and still waiting. What's really frustrating is that they don't give you any updates unless you call, and getting through is nearly impossible. I've been documenting everything in case I need it for the hearing, including screenshots of my appeal submission and any correspondence. One thing I learned from a legal aid clinic is that if your employer doesn't respond to the appeal within the required timeframe, it can actually work in your favor. Also, if you're struggling financially while waiting, some food banks don't require proof of income - they understand people are waiting on unemployment decisions. The whole process is designed to make people give up, but hang in there.

I'm about 7 weeks into waiting for my appeal hearing after they denied my claim for "job abandonment" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The anxiety is real - I've been checking my account daily hoping to see any update. What's helped me cope is setting up a routine: I call the appeal line (518-402-0205) every Friday morning just to confirm they still have my case, I keep a folder with all my documentation organized, and I've connected with a local unemployment support group through my library. They meet virtually once a week and it helps to talk with others going through the same thing. Also seconding what others said about emergency assistance - I applied for SNAP benefits and rental assistance through my county while waiting. The process is broken but you're not alone in this fight. Keep filing those weekly certifications no matter what!

I'm currently at week 7 of waiting for my appeal hearing after being denied for "misconduct" when I was actually terminated without cause. The uncertainty is the worst part - I've started applying for part-time gig work just to have some income coming in while I wait, even though I know it might complicate things if I win the appeal. Has anyone else done temporary work during their appeal process? I'm worried it might hurt my case somehow. Also want to echo what others have said about keeping detailed records - I've been screenshotting everything and keeping a timeline of all my interactions with DOL. The phone number someone shared (518-402-0205) has been helpful for getting basic status updates, though they can't give you much detail. Stay strong everyone, we'll get through this bureaucratic nightmare eventually.

I'm at week 8 of waiting for my appeal hearing after being denied for "insufficient work history" despite having a clear employment record. The financial stress is overwhelming - I've had to move back in with family and I'm rationing groceries at this point. What's been helpful for me is creating a shared document with all the phone numbers and resources people have mentioned here. The appeal line (518-402-0205) has been more responsive than the main number, and I've learned to call right at 8 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays when they seem to have better staffing. I also discovered that my local community college has a free legal clinic that helps with unemployment appeals - they helped me organize my documentation and explained what to expect at the hearing. For anyone else struggling financially while waiting, I found that United Way's 211 service (just dial 2-1-1) connects you to local emergency assistance programs. The wait is brutal but reading everyone's experiences here helps me feel less alone in this process. We just have to keep pushing through this broken system.

I'm at week 9 of waiting for my appeal hearing after being wrongly denied for "voluntary separation" when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. The financial strain has been incredible - I've maxed out credit cards and had to start selling belongings just to cover basic expenses. What's kept me sane is staying organized and connected with others going through this. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all my weekly certification dates, appeal milestones, and every phone call I've made to DOL. The appeal line (518-402-0205) that others mentioned has been a lifeline - I call every other Tuesday around 8:05 AM and usually get through within 15 minutes. Last week they confirmed my case is "in queue for scheduling" which at least gives me some sense of progress. I also want to add that if you're in the NYC area, the NYC Human Resources Administration has an emergency rental assistance program specifically for people waiting on unemployment appeals - you just need to bring documentation showing your appeal is pending. The application took about 45 minutes and they processed it within a week. For food assistance, I've been going to St. John's Bread & Life in Brooklyn - they don't ask for any paperwork and the volunteers are incredibly kind. This whole experience has shown me how broken the system is, but also how much community support exists if you know where to look. Stay strong everyone - we'll get through this together.

I'm at week 4 of my appeal after being denied for "failure to accept suitable work" when the job they offered was completely outside my field and paid 40% less than my previous position. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring to know I'm not alone, but terrifying to see how long some of you have been waiting. I've been following the advice in this thread and called the appeal line (518-402-0205) yesterday morning at 8 AM. Got through after about 20 minutes on hold and they confirmed my appeal is "under review" but couldn't give me a timeline. I've also started documenting everything in a folder like others suggested - screenshots of my original application, the denial letter, my appeal submission, and records of every phone call. For anyone else struggling financially while waiting, I found that my local Catholic Charities has an emergency assistance program that doesn't require you to be Catholic - they helped with a grocery gift card and information about utility assistance programs. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, but this community has given me hope that there's light at the end of this bureaucratic tunnel. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and resources!