NY unemployment benefit rate reconsideration stuck since June - normal wait time?

Mine took about 6-8 weeks to process earlier this year, but that was January when things weren't as backed up. Summer months tend to be busier for NYSDOL. Have you tried calling the reconsideration unit directly? They have a separate number from the main unemployment line. If you can't get through (which is likely), you might want to try sending a secure message through your online account specifically mentioning the date you submitted documents and requesting a status update.

omg i had the EXACT same problem!! submitted in may and didnt hear anything until august. its ridiculous how long they take honestly

The reconsideration process is taking much longer in 2025 due to staffing issues at NYSDOL. The current processing time is approximately 10-12 weeks, though it can sometimes take longer during busy periods. A few important points to keep in mind: 1. They will backdate any increase to the beginning of your claim 2. Your documents are likely still in queue, not lost 3. Sending multiple messages through your account won't speed up the process and might actually delay it 4. You can request a status check after the 12-week mark The best approach is to continue certifying weekly at your current rate and be patient. When your reconsideration is processed, you'll receive a monetary determination letter and any additional benefits will be paid retroactively.

I had the same issue last month and was going CRAZY trying to get through to someone at unemployment. Kept calling that main number and would get disconnected after waiting for hours. What finally worked was using Claimyr.com - it's a service that basically calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE I was super skeptical at first, but it actually worked and I got through to someone in the rate reconsideration department who told me exactly what was happening with my claim. Turns out they were missing one of my documents even though I uploaded everything! Fixed the issue right away and got my new rate plus backpay within a week.

The delays are ABSURD right now!! I submitted my wage docs in April and didn't hear ANYTHING until late July - that's over 3 months!! And when I finally got through to someone they said "oh we've been really backed up" like that's some kind of excuse?? WE have bills to pay and THEY take their sweet time reviewing simple documents. The whole system is broken and nobody seems to care that people are struggling while waiting for THEIR MONEY.

has anyone tried going to the actual unemployment office in person? i know theres one in brooklyn that takes walk-ins on tuesdays and thursdays. might be worth trying if ur in the area

my cousin works for nysdol (not in unemployment tho) and she says they're severely understaffed right now and falling behind on everything. she said reconsiderations are taking 12+ weeks minimum. it sucks but at least you'll get backpay once they finally process it!

Quick update on timeframes based on recent patterns I've observed in these forums and from colleagues: As of August 2025, reconsideration requests seem to be processed in roughly this order: - Priority claims (hardship cases): 4-6 weeks - Standard claims with complete documentation: 10-14 weeks - Claims with missing/unclear documentation: 14-18 weeks If you're approaching the upper end of these timeframes, that's when I'd recommend escalating through either: 1. Your state representative's office (they have direct contacts at NYSDOL) 2. The NYSDOL ombudsman 3. Using a service like Claimyr to reach a specialist Just be sure to have all your submission dates, claim ID, and a list of documents you provided ready when you finally get through to someone.

when they finally processed my reconsideration they actually lowered my benefit rate!!! make sure all your wage info is correct before you ask for reconsideration because apparently they review EVERYTHING not just the quarters you want them to look at. i ended up worse off and now i cant even appeal it because i requested the review myself. just a warning to be careful what you ask for...

One additional note that might be relevant - if you submitted your documents in June, we're now in August which is over 60 days. NY unemployment law specifically allows for special handling of cases that have been pending for more than 60 days. When you contact them (either through Claimyr or other means), specifically mention that your reconsideration request has been pending for over 60 days and request expedited processing under the department's own guidelines. This won't guarantee immediate action, but it does sometimes move your file to a different processing queue.

I'm going through something similar right now - submitted my reconsideration request in early July and still waiting. It's really frustrating because I know I should be getting a higher rate based on my Q1 earnings that weren't properly calculated initially. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and discouraging at the same time. The 10-14 week timeline that @Fatima Al-Rashid mentioned seems to be pretty accurate based on what everyone else is experiencing. I'm at about 6 weeks now so I guess I have a while to go still. @Jamal Brown - definitely try that Claimyr service that @Miguel Hernández mentioned if you can't get through the regular way. And the 60-day expedited processing thing @Aaliyah Jackson brought up sounds promising for your situation since you're already past that mark. Good luck!

I'm in the exact same boat! Filed my reconsideration in late May and it's now been over 12 weeks with absolutely nothing. The silence is the worst part - you start wondering if they even got your documents or if something went wrong in the system. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the 10-14 week timeline is unfortunately pretty standard right now. @Aaliyah Jackson's point about the 60-day expedited processing rule is really helpful - I had no idea that existed. I've been hesitant to keep bothering them with messages through the portal, but after seeing @Miguel Hernández's success with Claimyr, I think I'm going to give that a try too. At this point we need to advocate for ourselves because clearly the system isn't working efficiently. @Jamal Brown - hang in there! The backpay will come eventually, even though the wait is absolutely brutal when you're counting on that money.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Filed my reconsideration back in mid-June and here we are in late August with absolutely no movement on my case. It's incredibly frustrating because I submitted everything they asked for - W2s, paystubs, tax returns - and my online portal still shows the same low benefit rate. What's really getting to me is that I calculated it myself and I should be getting almost $200 more per week based on my actual earnings. That adds up to a lot of money over time, especially when you're already struggling financially. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it seems like 10-14 weeks is becoming the new normal which is just unacceptable. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @Miguel Hernández mentioned because calling the regular number has been completely useless - either busy signals or hours-long waits that end in disconnections. @Jamal Brown - thanks for posting this question because clearly a lot of us are in the same boat. The 60-day expedited processing rule that @Aaliyah Jackson mentioned is news to me and might be exactly what we need to get some movement on these cases. Keep us updated on what happens when you finally get through to someone!