NY unemployment claim pending for 6 weeks - when will I get paid?

7 WEEKS??? I can't wait that long! Did they at least give you any explanation for the delay when it finally went through?

I've been answering everything correctly (I think). I've been applying to at least 5 jobs a week and documenting everything. Is there any way to check if I messed something up on a previous certification?

Thank you for the detailed response! I just checked my account inbox and there's nothing there. I did work in Connecticut for 3 months last year - could that be causing the delay? And how do I reach a claims specialist if I can't even get through the main phone line?

is that service legit? sounds like a scam to me. why would u pay to call a government agency lol

It's definitely legit. They don't handle your claim - they just connect you to a real NYSDOL agent. I was skeptical too but after trying to call for two weeks straight with no luck, I was desperate. The connection went through in 18 minutes and I talked to an actual claims specialist who fixed my issue immediately.

I'm willing to try anything at this point. Did they make you provide personal information to the service or just to the agent once you were connected?

While I agree the wait times are unacceptable, the 2-3 week guideline was pre-2025. After the recent system "upgrade" and the current claim volume, NYSDOL has informally acknowledged that 4-6 weeks is now their expected timeframe, though they haven't updated their official documentation. Contacting your assembly person is good advice though.

Thanks, I double-checked my direct deposit info and it all looks correct. Glad to know I'm not the only one waiting this long though!

Thank you! I didn't even know there was a special number for interstate claims. I'll try that first thing tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work, I'll try contacting my state rep or maybe that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I really appreciate everyone's help!

I tried the interstate claims number this morning and got a message saying they're experiencing high call volume and to try again later. So frustrating! I'm going to contact my assembly person next and if that doesn't work by Friday, I'll try the Claimyr service. Will update when I know more. Thanks again for checking in.

Good news! I finally got through using Claimyr this morning. You were right - there was an interstate wage verification hold on my account. The agent said Connecticut hadn't responded to their request for wage verification. She escalated it and said I should see movement within 3-5 business days. Such a relief to finally know what's going on! Will update when I get paid. Thanks everyone for your help!

@Laila Prince still nothing?

@Drew No, still absolutely nothing. It's been another week and the status is still just "pending" with no explanation. I finally managed to get through to someone yesterday after calling literally the minute they opened. All they could tell me was that there's a "backlog" and my claim is "in the queue for review." When I explained my financial situation, they just suggested I look into emergency rental assistance programs! I've started applying for those, but most have waiting lists too. Down to $86 now and honestly panicking. Did you ever deal with unemployment before? Any idea if showing up in person might help? I'm ready to camp outside their office at this point.

@Laila Prince I hate to hear this. I think you should def call them again and speak to someone else. I had a pending claim lifted by talking to someone. Problem is that it takes forever to reach them. Now i know this may be out of reach for you currently -- but anyone else reading this: seriously try claimyr.com to speak with someone at NYSDOL before it s'too late. It s'$20 but it got me on the phone with an agent within a day or so. Don t'wait until you have $400 or $50 in your account. Get ahead of the issue!

@Laila Prince I m'so sorry you re'still dealing with this nightmare! The fact that you re'down to $86 is absolutely unacceptable. A few immediate suggestions: 1 Contact) your local food bank TODAY - they can help with groceries so you can save that $86 for absolute emergencies. 2 Call) 211 for emergency assistance programs - they often know about same-day help that isn t'widely advertised. 3 If) you haven t'already, reach out to your landlord NOW to explain the situation - many are willing to work with tenants who communicate proactively. 4 Consider) asking family/friends for a small loan to cover you until this gets resolved. Don t'let pride keep you from asking for help. As for showing up in person - the NYC offices are appointment-only right now, but calling your assembly person s'office is still your best bet for escalation. They can sometimes get answers within 24-48 hours. Hang in there!

@Laila Prince I m'really sorry you re'still stuck in this awful situation. Have you tried contacting your state senator s'office in addition to your assembly person? Sometimes they have different contacts at NYSDOL and can get faster responses. Also, if you re'in NYC, try calling the Mayor s'Public Engagement Unit at 311 - they sometimes help escalate state agency issues. For immediate help with rent/utilities, check if your county has any emergency assistance programs that can provide same-day help. Many people don t'know these exist but they re'specifically for situations like yours. Don t'give up - once this gets resolved you ll'get all your back pay at once. Keep documenting everything and stay strong!

@Laila Prince I just went through something similar and wanted to share what finally worked for me. I was stuck for 8 weeks with an interstate wage verification issue I (had worked in New Jersey .)What finally got my claim moving was filing a complaint with the New York State Department of Labor s'Office of Special Investigations. You can do this online at labor.ny.gov - look for File "a Complaint under" the unemployment section. They treat these as priority cases and mine was resolved within 5 days of filing. Also, since you re'in such a tight spot financially, check if your utility companies have emergency assistance programs - many will defer payments for up to 60 days if you re'waiting on unemployment. And definitely hit up local food pantries ASAP to stretch that $86. You shouldn t'have to choose between food and keeping a roof over your head. Hang in there - the back pay will come all at once when this finally gets sorted out!

@Laila Prince I m'so sorry you re'still dealing with this! I just joined this community because I m'having similar issues with my claim. Reading through your situation, I wanted to mention that my neighbor went through something almost identical last year - also had the interstate wage verification problem. She said what finally worked was calling the Interstate Claims Unit the (number @Marilyn Dixon mentioned but) calling right at 8:00 AM when they open. She said she had to call for 3 straight days but finally got through on day 3 and they were able to see exactly what was holding up her claim. Also, have you tried reaching out to any local unemployment advocacy groups? I heard there are some nonprofit organizations that help people navigate these situations for free. Stay strong - you re'not alone in this!

@Laila Prince I m'so sorry you re'going through this financial stress! I just wanted to add that if you re'in NYC, the Human Resources Administration has an emergency rental assistance program that can sometimes provide same-day help - you can apply online or call their InfoLine at 718-557-1399. Also, many churches and community centers offer emergency food assistance even if you re'not a member. For what it s'worth, I ve'seen several people in this group eventually get their claims resolved and receive all their back pay at once - it s'just a matter of finding the right person who can actually help you. The complaint filing suggestion from @Jamal Washington sounds really promising since it creates a paper trail they have to respond to. You shouldn t have'to be choosing between rent and food while waiting for benefits you re legally'entitled to. Hang in there!

@Laila Prince I just wanted to check in and see how you re'doing. It s'been really tough reading about your situation and I ve'been thinking about you. Have you been able to try any of the suggestions people have given you? The Office of Special Investigations complaint that @Jamal Washington mentioned seems like it could be really helpful since it creates an official case they have to respond to. Also, I know you mentioned being down to $86 - please don t hesitate'to reach out to local food banks and emergency assistance programs today if you haven t already.'There s no'shame in getting help when the system is failing you like this. You re entitled'to those unemployment benefits and shouldn t have'to suffer while waiting for bureaucracy to work. Sending you strength and hope that this gets resolved soon!

@Laila Prince I hope you re'hanging in there! I m'new to this community but have been following your situation and it s'absolutely heartbreaking that you ve'been waiting this long. I went through a similar nightmare with unemployment in 2023 though (not as long as yours and) I know how stressful and dehumanizing the whole process can be. A few quick thoughts: 1 The) Office of Special Investigations complaint that @Jamal Washington mentioned is definitely worth trying - I ve heard'good things about that route from other people in similar situations. 2 If you) re comfortable'sharing what county/region you re in,'some of us might be able to point you to specific local resources for emergency help. 3 Have you) considered reaching out to any local news stations? Sometimes media attention can get government agencies to move faster on stuck cases. I really hope one of these suggestions works and you get your back pay soon. You shouldn t have'to go through this!

@Laila Prince I m'new here but have been reading through your posts and I m'so sorry you re'still dealing with this. Eight weeks is absolutely unacceptable! I had a similar interstate wage verification issue worked (in PA before moving to NY and) what finally broke mine loose was filing that Office of Special Investigations complaint that @Jamal Washington mentioned. It took them 4 business days to respond and suddenly my claim was approved. The complaint creates a case number they have to track and respond to, unlike phone calls that just disappear into the void. Also, since you mentioned being down to $86, please check out findhelp.org - you can enter your zip code and it shows all local emergency assistance programs, including ones that can help with rent TODAY. Many food banks also have emergency cash assistance programs that aren t well-known.'You ve been'strong for so long - don t give'up now when help might be just around the corner!

@Laila Prince I just created an account after reading through your whole situation and I m'honestly shocked at how long you ve'been waiting! I work in social services and wanted to share a few resources that might help immediately: 1 Call) 211 and ask specifically about emergency "cash assistance -" many counties have same-day programs for people waiting on government benefits. 2 Contact) your local Salvation Army - they often have emergency rent assistance that can be processed within 24-48 hours. 3 If) you haven t'already, file that Office of Special Investigations complaint that @Jamal Washington mentioned - I ve seen'that work for several clients. Also, document EVERYTHING - dates you called, who you spoke to, case numbers, etc. This will be important if you need to escalate further or if there are any issues with your back pay calculation. You shouldn t be'choosing between rent and food while waiting for benefits you re legally'entitled to. Hang in there!