Just reapplied for NY unemployment today - how long until I hear back?
I got laid off again from my seasonal job in October and just submitted a new claim for unemployment benefits today. My previous benefit year ended in August. Does anyone know how long it typically takes to get approved or denied? Last time it took almost 6 weeks and I'm hoping it's faster this time since I've been in their system before. The bills are piling up and I need to know if I should be looking for emergency assistance while I wait. Anyone reapplied recently and know what the timeframe is like now? The website just says 'pending' with no other details.
39 comments


Morita Montoya
Reapplied in September and it took about 3 weeks for me. But I didn't have any issues with my application. If there's anything they need to verify or investigate it could take longer. Make sure you do your weekly certifications even while waiting for approval!
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Beth Ford
•Thanks for the info. Did you have to do the phone interview thing or did they just approve it automatically?
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Morita Montoya
•No phone interview for me, just straight approval. But I think it depends on your specific situation.
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Kingston Bellamy
•wait... u can certify while still pending?? I've been waiting 4 weeks and haven't certified because I thought I had to wait 🤦♂️
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Morita Montoya
•YES!! Omg you need to certify every week even while pending! They'll pay you retroactively once approved but only if you've been certifying!
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Joy Olmedo
After trying for weeks to get through to a real person at unemployment (always busy signals or being hung up on), I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from an actual agent! Talking to a human solved everything - got my claim processed in days instead of weeks. Honestly it was the best money I've spent to get my benefits flowing again. They've got a demo video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Isaiah Cross
•sounds fishy af... how do we know this isnt just another scam targeting desperate people? 🤔
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Joy Olmedo
•Not a scam - it literally just keeps calling the same number you would call yourself but does the waiting for you. It's just an automated dialer that connects you when a human picks up. saved me hours of frustration
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Kiara Greene
•wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual empty promises? the unemployment system is so broken i doubt anything helps
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Joy Olmedo
•Yeah it works! I was skeptical too but was desperate after 3 weeks of trying. Got my callback in under 2 hours and the agent resolved my issue right away. My benefits started that week.
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Evelyn Kelly
•hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'solutions' before... what makes this different from all the other garbage out there?
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Paloma Clark
•I actually used it too after seeing it mentioned here. Got through to unemployment in like 90 mins when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. It's just a dialer service, nothing complicated.
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Heather Tyson
I reapplied back in August and it took exactly 4 weeks. They're definitely slower than they used to be! One thing that might help - call your local state representative's office. Mine was super helpful and they have direct lines to DOL that can speed things up.
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Raul Neal
Mine took FOREVER (7 weeks) because I had worked in two states during my base period. If your situation is at all complicated, expect delays. If you're really struggling while waiting, apply for SNAP benefits - they process those applications much faster.
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Beth Ford
•I did work a short contract job in NJ for 3 weeks last year... crap, that might delay things. Thanks for the heads up about SNAP.
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Raul Neal
•Yeah multi-state claims are a nightmare. They have to verify wages with both states. Definitely look into emergency assistance programs while you wait.
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Jenna Sloan
Here's what you need to know about NY unemployment processing timelines right now: Standard applications with no issues: 2-3 weeks Applications requiring identity verification: 4-6 weeks Applications with wage disputes or multi-state issues: 6-8 weeks Applications flagged for potential fraud review: 8+ weeks You can speed things up by: 1. Making sure you have all documentation ready - ID, past pay stubs, separation notice 2. Checking your spam/junk folder daily for emails from NYSDOL 3. Using the messaging system in your online account instead of calling 4. If you absolutely need to speak to someone, use claimyr.com - it's a service that gets you through the phone system 5. Contact your state assembly person or state senator's office - they have liaisons to DOL Remember to certify weekly even while your claim is pending. The system will bank those weeks and pay you retroactively once approved.
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Beth Ford
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I think I fall into the standard application category since I've claimed before and nothing has changed. I'll check my spam folder!
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Christian Burns
•This is solid info. I'd add one thing - if you had any severance pay or vacation payout, make sure to report that correctly or it will delay things.
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Sasha Reese
Took me 5 weeks to get approved last month. The system is still slower than it should be but better than during COVID times. Pro tip: if you need money now, check if you qualify for an emergency UI advance through 211.
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Muhammad Hobbs
Every claim is dif. Didn't get approved until week 9 and had to keep calling everyday!!!!! The system is BROKEN but once it kicks in at least they backpay from when u first filed. hang in there frend
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Noland Curtis
•9 weeks?! Did they tell you why it took so long? That's ridiculous!
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Muhammad Hobbs
•they said something about a 'manual review' whatever that means 🙄 but i think they just lost my paperwork tbh
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Diez Ellis
Make sure you answer your phone even if you don't recognize the number! They often call from blocked or weird numbers for identity verification. Missing that call can add weeks to your wait time.
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Vanessa Figueroa
I'm in the same situation! Applied 2 weeks ago after being laid off from construction work. Nothing yet but my coworker who applied the same day just got approved yesterday. Seems random tbh.
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Beth Ford
•That's encouraging that your coworker got through so quickly! Were you both laid off from the same company?
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Yeah same company, same layoff date. Only difference is he worked there longer than me. Maybe that matters? idk the system makes no sense
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Abby Marshall
I was getting so frustrated trying to navigate ny unemployment on my own. Finally broke down and used claimyr.com after someone recommended it here. Having an actual person to talk to made ALL the difference. Got my issue cleared up in one call when I'd been stuck for weeks.
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Sadie Benitez
•How long did it take to get the callback? The website says times vary
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Abby Marshall
•Got my callback in about 2 hours. Way better than spending all day dialing myself!
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Drew Hathaway
•another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol... does this actually help or nah?
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Abby Marshall
•It's not promising to fix the system - it just does the phone waiting for you so you don't have to. Worked for me 🤷♀️
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Laila Prince
Expect about a month based on recent experiences but prepare for longer. The key is to be proactive - reach out through every channel available (online message center, phone if you can get through, state rep) rather than just waiting. The squeaky wheel gets the grease in this system.
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Isabel Vega
I had an issue with my claim and it was pending for like 2 months 😭 turns out they needed additional verification that they never asked for! Check your online account dashboard DAILY for any notices or requests.
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Beth Ford
•That's scary! I'll make sure to check my account every day. The website is so confusing though.
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Dominique Adams
So much confusion on here! Let me clear things up a bit... NY unemployment is currently taking 3-5 weeks for most claims. BUT! There's always a 'waiting week' where you won't be paid anyway. Make sure you're certifying every single week including that first week. If you get the dreaded 'we need more information' message, you're looking at a longer timeline unless you can talk to someone. That's where I'd recommend using a service like claimyr.com - it got me through to an agent who fixed my issue immediately. Hang in there and don't give up!
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Marilyn Dixon
•Actually the waiting week was waived during covid and they never brought it back. One of the few good changes they kept!
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Dominique Adams
•Oh really? That's awesome news! Thanks for the correction - the NY unemployment system changes so often it's hard to keep up 😅
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Louisa Ramirez
After u apply, u shud get a letter in mail and a email in like a week telling u if ur eligible. Then it can take another couple weeks to start getting paid. ALWAYS certify weekly even if pending!!!
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