NY unemployment backpay stuck with document review for 7 weeks - should I wait or keep calling?

The same thing happened to me in March. Document review can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks, depending on their backlog. The 10 weeks they mentioned is just their standard timeframe. I know it's frustrating, but in my experience, calling repeatedly won't speed things up unless you happen to get a really helpful agent (which is rare). I'd recommend documenting each call with date, time, and what was said, so when you do reach the 10-week mark, you have a record to reference.

dont wait call them again tomrrow!! i had the same thing with my 1099 form and the first 3 ppl told me to wait but the 4th person fixed it right away. its all about getting the right person on the line.

I was in this exact situation last winter. The issue is the substitute teaching form - it's classified as "variable income documentation" which triggers an extended review process. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call early in the morning (right when they open at 8am) 2. Specifically ask for a "payment release pending document review" 3. Request to speak with a Tier 2 claims specialist - regular agents often can't override the system hold 4. Have your form submission confirmation number ready The key is getting to someone who has authority to process a payment release while the review is still ongoing. Not all agents can do this, which is why you're getting different answers.

I went through something similar with MY unemployment back in January - it's crazy how LONG these reviews take!!! I had a form under review for NINE weeks and kept getting different answers every time I called. Some reps said I just had to wait, others told me they'd "expedite" but nothing ever happened. I was about to GIVE UP when I found out about this service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in under 10 minutes instead of spending hours on hold. Check out their site claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent I got through to was actually able to see that my document review was complete but the system hadn't updated. She manually released my payments that same day! Worth trying if you're desperate like I was.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!!! Don't let them win! I had a document review that lasted 14 weeks last year - yes FOURTEEN!!!! Every time I called they gave me a different story. "2 more weeks" then "we need additional documentation" then "it's being processed" then back to "2 more weeks" again. It's all BS to get you to stop calling. The NY DOL is CRIMINALLY UNDERSTAFFED and they don't care if you can't pay your bills!!!!

I'm in the same boat right now (week 6 of waiting). My issue is different - it's about a severance package review, not substitute teaching - but it's the same frustrating process. I've called 5 times and gotten 5 different answers. One agent told me there was no review happening at all and everything looked fine (but still no payment), another told me it would be 2 more weeks, another said 8 weeks total... I don't know what to believe anymore. Has anyone actually had success getting backpay released BEFORE the 10-week mark? I'm getting desperate.

ok so last year i had this happen and i just kept filing every week even tho i wasnt getting paid. then when they finally approved everything i got all the backpay at once. just make sure u keep certifying every week!

One thing to note about your benefit year ending: that doesn't affect backpay for weeks you were eligible and certified within the benefit year. As long as you properly certified for those weeks, you're entitled to payment even after the benefit year ends. The DOL system will pay those weeks separately from any new claim you might file. Make sure to clarify this distinction when you call - some agents confuse this issue.

Update from what I'm seeing with recent cases: the DOL has been prioritizing document reviews for claims with benefit years ending soon. If you call, make sure to emphasize that your benefit year just ended on Sunday. That puts you in a different processing category that should get more immediate attention. Ask specifically for a "benefit year-end priority review" - this is a newer procedure they implemented in March 2025 to address exactly your situation.

my cousin works for unemployment (not in ny tho) and she says they have different ppl with different access levels. so when u call u might get someone who literally CANT help u even if they wanted to. keep calling till u get someone with the right access.

Based on your updates and the advice here, I think you have a good plan going forward. To summarize the best course of action: 1. Call right at 8am when they open 2. Ask for a Tier 2 claims specialist 3. Request a "benefit year-end priority review" 4. Mention that you need a "payment release pending document review" 5. Have all your documentation and previous call details ready If the regular phone method continues to fail, consider using the Claimyr service mentioned above or contacting your state assembly member's office for assistance. The key is persistence without giving up - these systems are unfortunately designed to be difficult to navigate.