NY unemployment payment timeline - does it really take 6 weeks for first deposit?

Six weeks is definitely on the longer end of things, but not unheard of. The typical timeline is more like 2-3 weeks for your first payment if everything goes smoothly with your application. Here's the usual process: 1. Submit initial claim 2. Receive your Monetary Determination letter (usually within 7-10 days) 3. Complete ID verification if requested 4. Start certifying weekly claims immediately (even before approval) 5. Receive back payments once approved The key factors that affect your timeline are whether your employer promptly responds to NYSDOL's inquiries, if there are any discrepancies in your work history, or if additional documentation is needed. I'd suggest making sure you're certifying weekly benefits while waiting and checking your payment history and messages in your online account regularly.

mine took 10 days from when i applied. my buddy waited 7 weeks tho so it really just depends. good luck!!

When I applied back in February, it took exactly 3 weeks and 2 days from application to first payment hitting my account. HOWEVER - the ID.me verification is CRUCIAL now. If you don't complete that step, your claim will sit in pending status indefinitely. The system won't even tell you that's why it's delayed! One thing that helped me was filing on a Monday or Tuesday rather than the weekend. The weekend applications seem to get stuck in a bigger processing queue.

OMG SIX WEEKS?! That's WAY TOO LONG! Mine took 4 weeks and I thought I was going to DIE waiting!!! Had to borrow money from my parents which was super embarrassing at my age. The whole system is DESIGNED to make us suffer!!! They know people need money right away but they make us wait and wait and WAIT! And don't get me started on the certification process - mess up one question and they'll freeze your account and you have to start ALL OVER AGAIN!!! 😡😡😡

My claim took exactly 17 days from submission to first payment hitting my account. This was in March 2025. I had worked for a large company that regularly processes unemployment claims, so maybe that helped speed things up? Not sure if the employer size/type matters. Btw i didnt have to do the ID.me verification but I think my account was created before they started requiring that step for everyone

I waited 5 weeks and nothing happened with my claim - no updates, no messages, nothing. Found out my former employer was disputing the claim. I couldn't get anyone on the phone for days and was going crazy. Finally I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me past the phone system to talk to a real agent. The agent saw that my claim was stuck because my employer had contested it, but they hadn't processed the dispute properly. The agent fixed it right on the call and my payment came through 3 days later. They have a video that shows how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - saved me from getting evicted honestly.

Payment timelines for NY unemployment in 2025 are currently averaging: - Fastest cases: 10-14 days from application to payment - Typical cases: 17-21 days from application to payment - Complex cases (employer disputes, identity verification issues, multiple employers): 3-6 weeks The most common delay factors are: 1. Incomplete ID.me verification 2. Employer response delays 3. Discrepancies between what you reported and employer records 4. Missing work search records (though not for initial payments) Make sure to complete ALL the steps in your online dashboard. Many people miss the "additional documentation needed" notifications because they don't scroll down far enough on the dashboard page. Also, keep certifying each week even if you haven't received payment yet.

my sister had to wait 8 weeks!!!!! but then she got all the backpay at once. she had to call like 50 times though

I've noticed a pattern over the last few months on this forum. People who applied with the following circumstances tend to get paid faster: - Single employer for the past 18 months - Clean separation (layoff with notice) - Prompt ID verification completion - Application submitted early in the week (Mon-Wed) - No previous unemployment claims in the past 12 months People with these circumstances tend to experience longer waits: - Multiple employers during the base period - Termination or disputed separation reason - Foreign work history or wages - Delayed ID verification completion - Previous claims or overpayments Since you mentioned you were laid off from a tech support job (assuming that was your only employer recently), you should hopefully be on the faster track as long as you completed that ID verification promptly.

u should check ur mailbox everyday too. they sometimes send letters that need response but nothing shows online about it

UPDATE: It's been 12 days since I applied and I just got my first payment today! Much faster than I expected based on what everyone said. Just wanted to update in case it helps someone else with timeline expectations. The payment is pending in my account and includes 2 weeks worth of benefits (I certified twice while waiting). Thanks everyone for your help!