Will NY unemployment backpay all my weeks since applying in June with no payments yet?

Yes, he should receive all back payments for the weeks he properly certified, assuming he was eligible for those weeks. When NYSDOL approves a claim after a delay, they typically process all certified weeks as backpay in one lump sum. The letter is a good sign - it means his claim was approved. The timing varies, but backpay usually arrives within 3-5 business days after receiving that notice, sometimes sooner. Make sure he continues to certify weekly without interruption.

same thing hapened to me last month! waited 6 weeks with no $ then suddenly got 6 weeks all at once in my account. tell him to keep checking his payment history not just his bank acct

Is your friend sure he's been certifying correctly?? Did he check his online account to make sure the weeks show as "certified" not "pending" or something? Because I thought I was certifying but turns out I was doing it wrong for WEEKS and had to call and beg them to let me certify retroactively. It was a NIGHTMARE. I'm worried your friend might be in the same boat if he hasn't checked his account status!!!!

My son just went through this exact situation! Got approved after 7 weeks of waiting and YES he got every single penny for all the weeks he certified. In his case it took 3 days after getting the letter for the money to hit his account. I think they're just really backed up right now with summer applications.

I had this EXACT problem in May and got so frustrated trying to reach someone. Spent 4 days calling nonstop but couldn't get through. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed my backpay was approved and explained the delay was due to an ID verification issue that wasn't my fault. Money showed up 2 days later. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - saved me so much stress knowing what was happening instead of guessing.

just wait. the system is backed up. summer always worse with all the seasonal workers filing. he'll get all his money eventually

To directly answer your question - yes, your friend will receive all back payments for properly certified weeks dating back to his eligibility date. The approval letter is confirmation that the claim has been validated. A few important points: 1. Back payments typically arrive as a lump sum within 2-7 days of receiving that notice 2. The payment will include all weeks he successfully certified for 3. The first week is a waiting week in NY (unpaid) unless there's a current waiver in effect 4. If his claim had an effective date in June, he should receive payment for all eligible weeks since then It's always a good idea to screenshot the Payment History section once payments begin for record-keeping. Also, remind your friend that these payments are taxable - he should consider having taxes withheld if he hasn't already selected that option.

BUT WHAT IF HE DOESN'T GET PAID??? My cousin waited THREE MONTHS and then got denied!!! They said he didn't respond to some email they sent but he never got ANY email!! The system is RIGGED I swear! Your friend needs to call EVERY DAY until he talks to someone who can GUARANTEE his payments are coming!!!! Don't just wait around or he might end up with NOTHING after all this time!!!!!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I just talked to my friend, and he checked his payment history section like you all suggested. Everything shows as properly certified for each week, and he does have the letter specifically saying payments will be made. He's feeling much more relieved now knowing that backpay should be coming soon. I'll update here when the money actually arrives in case it helps someone else in the future.

UPDATE: Great news! My friend just called me - all the backpay hit his account this morning! It took exactly 4 days after he got the letter. Everything was included from his application date (minus the waiting week like someone mentioned). Thanks again for all the help and reassurance!