NYS Department of Labor unemployment pay held - how long does this usually last?
My unemployment benefits have been on hold for almost 2 weeks now and I'm starting to panic about my rent. The my.ny.gov portal just says 'claim under review' but doesn't give any timeframe or explanation. I've been filing my weekly claims like normal but no payments are coming through. Has anyone else experienced this? How long does NYS Department of Labor typically hold payments when they're reviewing something? I can't get through on the phone and I'm getting really stressed about my bills piling up.
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Alfredo Lugo
Payment holds can happen for several reasons - usually it's identity verification, work search compliance review, or they need to verify something about your separation from your last employer. The hold can last anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on what they're reviewing. Check if there are any pending items in your online account that need action.
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Gianna Scott
•I checked and there's nothing showing that needs action from me. Should I keep filing my weekly claims even though nothing is being paid?
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Sydney Torres
YES keep filing your weekly claims!! I made the mistake of stopping when mine was on hold and it screwed up my whole claim. Even if you're not getting paid, you need to keep certifying every week or you'll lose those weeks permanently.
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Gianna Scott
•Thanks for the warning! I'll definitely keep filing then. Did your payments eventually come through as back pay?
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Sydney Torres
•Yeah after 5 weeks they released everything as a lump sum. It was stressful but worth continuing to file.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
I had the same issue last month and couldn't reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was causing the hold and how long it would take to resolve.
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Gianna Scott
•Is that service legitimate? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point but don't want to get scammed.
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Kaitlyn Jenkins
•Yeah it's real - they just help you get through the phone queue faster. I was skeptical too but it actually worked and I got answers the same day.
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Caleb Bell
Ugh the whole system is so broken! They hold your money hostage for weeks with no explanation while you're supposed to just magically pay rent and groceries. I've been waiting 3 weeks now and still nothing.
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Danielle Campbell
•Same boat here - it's like they don't realize people have actual bills to pay while they take their sweet time reviewing whatever.
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Rhett Bowman
In most cases payment holds are resolved within 3-4 weeks if there are no complications. Make sure you respond immediately to any requests for additional documentation if they contact you. Sometimes the hold is just a routine audit and will clear automatically.
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Gianna Scott
•That's somewhat reassuring. I just wish there was a way to know what they're actually reviewing so I could provide whatever they need faster.
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Jessica Nolan
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - been on hold for 10 days with no explanation. The uncertainty is the worst part because you can't plan anything or know when it might resolve. I've been calling the main number (888-209-8124) every morning right at 8am when they open, but even then I usually get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. One thing I did find helpful was checking the "Messages" section in my online account daily - sometimes they'll post updates there even if they don't email you. Hang in there, we're all dealing with this broken system together.
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Ella rollingthunder87
•Thanks for sharing that tip about checking the Messages section - I hadn't thought to look there regularly! I've been so focused on just the main claim status page. The 8am calling strategy is something I should try too. It's frustrating that we all have to become experts at navigating this system just to get our benefits, but I really appreciate you sharing what's worked for you. Knowing I'm not alone in this mess definitely helps with the stress.
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