What it is
Federal law sets no final-pay deadline. State law does, and the states split into five groups: pay due immediately on discharge (Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada), pay due at quitting for a quit with notice (California), pay due within days of a discharge (Texas 6, Michigan 10, Minnesota 24 hours after demand, DC 10, Maine 10), pay due on the next regular payday (New York, New Jersey, Washington, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Connecticut), and pay due within 30-31 days (Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) or with no state timing rule at all (Florida, Virginia). A late final check is a wage claim, not a payroll dispute.
What to do about it: Ask for the itemized final statement in writing: hours, rate, deductions, accrued PTO, and reimbursement items. Some states require the statement in writing; several pay treble damages on proven claims.
Plain-language description of US practice, not legal, tax, or financial advice. The paired guide carries the citations, dates, and thresholds; the state pages carry the local windows.