How soon does NYS Department of Labor unemployment pay after filing claim?

You won't get paid for your first week because that's your waiting week. After that, if everything goes smoothly, it usually takes about 2-3 business days after you file your weekly claim for the money to hit your account. But that's only if there are no issues with your claim.

The waiting week is the first week you're eligible for benefits but don't get paid for it. It's like a one-week penalty. After that, you file weekly claims every Sunday for the previous week. Payment timeline depends on whether your claim needs adjudication. If it's straightforward, you get paid within 72 hours. If they need to verify something about your employment or reason for separation, it can take weeks.

ugh the waiting week is so stupid when you're already broke from losing your job!! but yeah after that first week it's pretty quick if there's no problems. make sure you do your job searches too or they'll hold up your payments

You need to do 3 job searches per week and log them in the NYS Department of Labor system when you file your weekly claim. If you can't get through to check your claim status, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Took me 5 weeks to get my first payment because they had to verify my employment history. The NYS Department of Labor moves at their own pace unfortunately. Hope yours goes faster!