If your former employer tries to contest your benefits the state will do their investigation before issuing benefits and that could take six to eight weeks to get a decision. I personally think they drag it out that long intentionally hoping you find a job in the meantime so they don't have to give you any benefits at all. If your former employer does not contest it then it will take about three weeks to start receiving benefits. This process was refined by our great state. It used to only take two weeks to get your benefits.