After an applicant has filed their unemployment claim, the state where they submitted it will process it and send them an unemployment determination letter. Each state runs its own unemployment program, so the time period that it takes to proceed with the claim and send a notice of determination can vary from one to four weeks. The stated time period can also depend on the number of claims that the state is processing at the moment. How long it will take also depends on an applicants actions. If they attentively check their mail (or email if they have chosen to receive their correspondence electronically) and respond to their states unemployment agency request for additional information that they will receive their determination letter from unemployment as well as unemployment benefits quickly. Ignoring them can cause delays in payments.