DUA MA claim on hold for 1+ month, no verification letter or payment. What to do?

Ugh, I feel your pain. I was in the same boat last year. Have you tried contacting your former employer's HR department? Sometimes there's a discrepancy with the severance details that can hold things up.

Pro tip: Try emailing the claims adjuster through the online portal. I did this and got a response within a few days. Here's a template you can use: Subject: Inquiry About Claim Hold Dear Claims Adjuster, I'm writing about my unemployment claim that's been on hold. I've submitted all required documents and would like to confirm if any additional information is needed. Could you please review my case and advise on next steps? Thank you for your help. Best regards, [Your Name]

Have you considered doing a walk-in at the unemployment office? Sometimes face-to-face interactions can speed things up.

Hey, just a heads up - check if your former employer has made any unexpected charges related to benefits. I had a similar situation where my employer charged me over $4k for "benefit changes" after I left. It messed with my unemployment claim.

I found a method to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/ok4BhTU0_EI

Listen up, folks. I've been through this rodeo before, so here's the deal: 1. Document EVERYTHING. Every call, email, letter - keep a record. 2. Use the online portal as much as possible. It creates a paper trail. 3. If you have to call, try early morning or late afternoon. Less traffic. 4. Reach out to your local state representative. They can sometimes expedite things. 5. Check if there are any current system issues or backlogs announced on the unemployment office website. 6. Join Facebook groups or forums specific to your state's unemployment. They often have insider tips. 7. Be patient but persistent. The system is overwhelmed, but your claim will get processed eventually. Hang in there, everyone. This too shall pass. 💪

have u tried turning it off and on again? 🤣🤣🤣 jk jk... but srsly, the unemployment system is a joke rn 🤡

I'm in the exact same situation! It's been 6 weeks for me. This is so frustrating. How are we supposed to pay bills?

Has anyone had luck with contacting their state representative? I've heard mixed things.

I went through this exact same thing earlier this year. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office online. They have a specific form for unemployment issues and they actually follow up. 2. Try calling the DUA callback system at 877-626-6800. You can request a callback instead of waiting on hold for hours. 3. Send a certified letter to the DUA director outlining your situation with timeline and case number. Sometimes physical mail gets more attention than online submissions. 4. If you're really desperate, try the LiveChat feature on the DUA website during off-peak hours (like 7-8am). It's hit or miss but I've seen people get through. The hold usually means they need to verify something - could be your identity, work history, or reason for separation. Once you get through to someone, ask specifically what's causing the hold so you can address it directly. Don't give up! It took me 8 weeks but I eventually got all my back pay. The system is broken but squeaky wheels do get greased eventually.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been waiting 3 weeks with my claim on hold. From what I've gathered from other threads and talking to people who've been through this, the "on hold" status usually means they need to verify something but the system is just really backed up right now. A few things that might help while you're waiting: - Check if you can upload any additional documents through the portal (even if they haven't specifically requested them) - Keep filing your weekly claims even though you're not getting paid - this is super important for when it gets resolved - Try calling right when they open (8am) - I've had slightly better luck getting through then The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you have bills to pay. But from what I've seen, most people do eventually get their claims processed and receive back pay for all the weeks they were on hold. Hang in there! 💪

I'm going through something similar right now - my claim has been on hold for about 3 weeks. One thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of everything I submitted and when, then cross-referencing it with what they might need. Also, I found out through a friend who works in government that sometimes the hold can be triggered by something as simple as your employer filing their response late or incorrectly. It's not always something you did wrong. Have you tried checking the "Messages" section in your online account? Sometimes they send notifications there that don't get emailed to you. I missed an important message for almost a week because I wasn't checking that section regularly. The whole system is definitely overwhelmed right now, but I've been told by multiple people that once it gets resolved, the back pay comes through pretty quickly. Still doesn't help with the bills right now though! 😕

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was absolutely maddening! My claim was on hold for almost 7 weeks with zero communication. Here's what finally broke it loose for me: I ended up filing a formal complaint through the Department of Labor's website. There's a specific section for unemployment claim issues and they actually have staff dedicated to following up on these complaints. Within 3 days of filing the complaint, I got a call from a claims adjuster who walked me through exactly what was holding up my case (turned out my former employer had disputed my reason for leaving but never notified me). Also, don't stop filing your weekly claims! I made that mistake for 2 weeks thinking "what's the point" and it actually delayed my back pay even more when everything got sorted out. One more thing - if you have any documentation from your job separation (termination letter, layoff notice, resignation email, etc.), make sure it's uploaded to your account. Sometimes they need to verify the circumstances even if you think you already provided everything. The system is definitely broken right now but hang in there. Once it gets resolved, the back pay should come through within a week or two. I ended up getting almost $4,000 in back benefits once my hold was lifted.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now - 5 weeks and counting with my claim on hold! Reading through all these responses is both helpful and frustrating because it shows how common this problem is. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: I called my local unemployment office directly (not the main state line) and actually got through to a real person after only 20 minutes on hold. The staff member couldn't resolve my issue on the spot, but she was able to tell me exactly what documents were missing from my file and gave me a direct email to send them to. You can find your local office number on the DUA website under "Contact Us" - just scroll down past the main phone numbers. It's worth a shot since the main lines are always jammed. Also, if you're struggling financially while waiting, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. I found a few through 211 (just dial 2-1-1) that helped bridge the gap while I waited for this mess to get sorted out. Hang in there everyone - this system is definitely broken but we'll get through it! 💪

I'm going through something very similar - my claim has been on hold for about 4 weeks now with no communication whatsoever. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring (knowing I'm not alone) and frustrating (seeing how broken the system is). A couple things I've learned from my own experience that might help: 1. The DUA website has a "Document Upload" section that's separate from the initial application. I found this buried in the menu and uploaded additional pay stubs and my termination letter there, even though they hadn't specifically requested them. 2. I started keeping a detailed log of every attempt to contact them - dates, times, what happened. It's helped me stay organized and I think it'll be useful if I need to escalate. 3. My neighbor went through this last year and said her local city councilman's office was actually more responsive than the state rep. Might be worth trying multiple political contacts. The financial stress is real though. I've had to get creative with bill payments and it's honestly affecting my mental health. But seeing people in this thread who eventually got their back pay (especially the $4,000 example!) gives me hope. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and tips - this community support means a lot when you feel like you're shouting into the void! 🙏

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now - 3 weeks on hold with absolutely no communication from DUA. The anxiety of not knowing when (or if) this will get resolved while bills keep piling up is honestly crushing. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful though. I had no idea about: - The separate "Document Upload" section (just found it and uploading everything I can think of) - Calling local offices instead of the main state line - Filing complaints through the Department of Labor website - Checking the Messages section separately from email notifications This community is honestly more helpful than the actual DUA system right now. It's both comforting and infuriating to know so many of us are dealing with the same broken process. For anyone else in this situation - I've also found that reaching out to local mutual aid groups on Facebook has helped bridge the gap financially. Search "[your city] mutual aid" and you'll likely find community members willing to help with groceries or small bills while you wait for this mess to get sorted. We shouldn't have to crowdsource solutions to get basic unemployment benefits, but here we are. Thanks to everyone sharing their tips and experiences - it really does help to know we're not alone in this! 💙

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation - 5 weeks on hold with zero communication from DUA! This thread has been a goldmine of information that I wish I'd found weeks ago. I wanted to add one more tip that worked for me: I found out you can request a "status review" through the online portal. Go to "Unemployment Services" > "Request Information" > "Claim Status Inquiry" and submit a detailed explanation of your situation. I got an automated response saying they'd review within 10 business days, but at least it creates another paper trail. Also, for anyone struggling financially while waiting - check if your utility companies have hardship programs. I was able to get payment extensions on my electric and gas bills just by explaining my unemployment situation. Most companies have these programs but don't advertise them. The stress of this whole process is unreal. I've started having anxiety attacks just thinking about bills. But seeing people here eventually get their back pay (shout out to everyone who shared their success stories!) gives me hope we'll all get through this eventually. Thanks to everyone for sharing resources and keeping each other sane during this nightmare! This community support is honestly better than anything DUA has provided. 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the whole DUA system is completely broken right now and it's infuriating that they leave people hanging with zero communication. A few things that helped me when I was stuck in a similar situation last month: 1. Try calling the DUA TTY line at (800) 439-2370 - it's meant for hearing impaired but sometimes has shorter wait times. Just explain you couldn't get through the regular line. 2. Check your online account for any "Pending Issues" section - sometimes there are unresolved flags that aren't obvious from the main dashboard. 3. If you were laid off or terminated, make sure your former employer didn't contest your claim. You can check this under "Determination Status" in your account. 4. Try the DUA chat feature on their website around 11 PM - 12 AM. I know it sounds weird but the system seems less overloaded during those hours. The "on hold" status is usually waiting for some kind of verification or review, but the system is so backlogged that even simple cases are taking forever. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what - that's super important for when it finally gets resolved. Hang in there! I ended up getting 6 weeks of back pay once my case finally moved. The wait is brutal but most people do eventually get their money.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the frustration is absolutely real and you're definitely not alone! I went through something similar about 8 months ago and it was one of the most stressful experiences I've had. Here's what finally worked for me after 7 weeks of being on hold: 1. **Document everything religiously** - I created a spreadsheet tracking every call attempt, email sent, and document uploaded with dates and times. This became crucial later. 2. **Check your employer's unemployment account** - This might sound weird, but ask your former employer if they've received any requests for information from DUA that they haven't responded to yet. Sometimes the hold is on their end, not yours. 3. **File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office** - They have a specific unemployment complaint form online and they actually follow up. I got a response within a week and my case moved shortly after. 4. **Try the "Request Callback" option** - Instead of staying on hold, use the callback system. It's still slow but at least you're not tied to your phone all day. The mental health toll of this is no joke - I was having panic attacks about bills too. Please don't hesitate to reach out to local assistance programs in the meantime. I eventually got all my back pay (over $5,000) and it came through within days once the hold was lifted. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - that's super important! You've got this! 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 4 weeks on hold and it's driving me crazy! This thread has been incredibly helpful though. I had no idea about so many of these workarounds and resources. One thing I wanted to add that I just discovered: if you go to the DUA website and look under "Forms and Publications," there's a form called "Request for Reconsideration" (Form BR-12) that you can submit if your claim has been pending for more than 21 days. It's not well advertised but it's supposed to trigger a manual review of your case. Also, I've been keeping track of which representatives others have mentioned as helpful: - Attorney General's office (multiple success stories) - Local unemployment offices vs. state line - State representatives (hit or miss but worth trying) The financial stress is absolutely brutal. I've had to ask family for help which is humiliating, but seeing all the success stories here about people getting their back pay gives me hope. We really shouldn't have to become unemployment claim experts just to access basic benefits! Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is honestly more helpful than the actual DUA system right now. We'll get through this! 💙

I'm dealing with this exact same situation - 6 weeks on hold and counting! This thread has been an absolute lifesaver with all the tips and resources everyone has shared. I wanted to add one more strategy that just worked for me: I started tweeting at the Massachusetts DUA account (@MassDUA) and tagging my state representative. It sounds silly, but public pressure on social media sometimes gets faster responses than private channels. Within 24 hours of my tweet, I got a DM asking for my case details. Also, for anyone keeping track of resources, I found that the Massachusetts Legal Aid website has a specific unemployment troubleshooting guide that breaks down what different hold statuses actually mean. It helped me understand that my "pending review" wasn't necessarily a red flag - just backlog. The stress and financial pressure of this is absolutely overwhelming. I've been rationing groceries and putting off medical appointments. But reading all these success stories about people eventually getting their back pay (some $4k-5k+) keeps me going. We really shouldn't have to crowdsource solutions to navigate basic government services, but I'm so grateful for this community! Keep sharing tips and supporting each other - we'll all get through this broken system eventually. 💪 P.S. - Don't forget to keep filing those weekly claims even while on hold! That seems to be the one consistent advice from everyone who's made it through this process.

I'm in a very similar boat - been on hold for about 2 weeks now and already feeling the anxiety building up. This thread is honestly a goldmine of information that I wish was readily available on the DUA website itself! I just tried a few of the suggestions mentioned here and wanted to report back: 1. **Found the hidden "Document Upload" section** - uploaded my termination letter and final pay stub just to be safe 2. **Checked the Messages section separately** - thankfully no missed messages, but good to know this is a thing 3. **Located my local DUA office number** - planning to call them tomorrow morning instead of the main state line One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had success with the online chat feature during those late night hours (11 PM - 12 AM) that someone mentioned? I'm willing to stay up late if it means actually talking to a human being! Also, I wanted to echo what others have said about the mental health impact. The uncertainty is almost worse than the financial stress itself. Not knowing if you did something wrong or if it's just system backlog makes you second-guess everything. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and practical solutions. It's both reassuring and frustrating to know this is such a widespread problem, but at least we're not facing it alone! Will definitely keep filing weekly claims and update if any of these strategies work for me. 💙

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the DUA system is absolutely brutal right now and the lack of communication makes everything so much worse. I went through something similar earlier this year (3+ months on hold) and it nearly broke me financially and mentally. A few things that eventually worked for me: **Document everything obsessively** - Create a spreadsheet with every call attempt, email, document upload, etc. with timestamps. This became crucial when I finally got through to someone. **Try the 6 AM strategy** - I know it sounds crazy, but I had success calling right at 6 AM when they're technically closed but the system sometimes connects you to the queue early. Got through twice this way. **Check your "Issues Summary" section** - Go to Unemployment Services > View Claim Details > Issues Summary. Sometimes there are pending issues listed there that don't show up anywhere else on the dashboard. **File with the Better Business Bureau** - I filed a complaint against DUA through the BBB website and got a response within 5 days. They seem to take BBB complaints more seriously than other channels. The "on hold" status in most cases means they're waiting to verify something - could be your identity, employment details, or separation reason. The system is just incredibly backlogged. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! When my hold finally lifted, I got 14 weeks of back pay within 3 days. The wait is excruciating but most people do eventually get their money. Hang in there - you're not alone in this nightmare! 💪