I've been dealing with the same issue for weeks! The phone lines are constantly busy and when you do get through, you're often put on hold for hours. Has anyone tried calling first thing in the morning right when they open? I'm wondering if there's a better time of day to get through. This whole system really needs an overhaul - it's so frustrating when you need help and can't reach anyone.
I've had the same experience with calling in the morning - it's still crazy busy but I think you have a slightly better chance around 8:30-9:00 AM when they first open. I also found that calling the 856 number for South Jersey (like Tyra mentioned) sometimes gets through faster than the main line. Another tip I heard is to try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - Mondays and Fridays seem to be the worst. It's ridiculous that we have to strategize just to get basic help! Hope you get through soon.
Thanks for sharing those tips! I'm going to try the 8:30-9:00 AM window tomorrow and see if I have better luck. It's so helpful to hear what's actually worked for people rather than just guessing. The fact that we need a whole strategy just to our own state's unemployment office is pretty telling about how broken the system is. I'll definitely avoid Mondays and Fridays - makes total sense that those would be the busiest days. Fingers crossed one of these approaches finally works!
I've been in the same boat for over a month now! What's really helped me is using the callback feature when you finally do get through to the automated system - instead of waiting on hold, they'll you back and hold your place in line. Also, I discovered that if you right at 7:59 AM (a minute before they officially open), sometimes the system will let you queue up early. And definitely keep Tom's YouTube video handy - it has some really specific button sequences that can help navigate their phone tree faster. This whole situation is beyond frustrating but we've got to share these workarounds with each other!
I've been struggling with this for 3 weeks now! Just wanted to share what finally worked for me - I combined several of the strategies mentioned here. I called the 856 number at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday, and when I got to the automated menu, I used the button sequence from Tom's video to get through faster. The callback feature was a lifesaver - instead of sitting on hold for hours, they called me back in about 45 minutes. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become phone system experts just to get help with our unemployment claims, but at least we're helping each other figure it out. Keep trying everyone - persistence really does pay off with this broken system!
This is exactly the kind of systematic approach that works! I'm so glad you got through - 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable considering what most of us have been dealing with. I'm definitely going to try your combination strategy tomorrow morning. It's amazing how this community has basically created our own unofficial guide to navigating NJ unemployment when the official system fails us. Thanks for sharing the specific timing and steps that worked - this gives me hope that persistence really will pay off eventually!
Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I finally got through last week after 6 weeks of trying! What worked for me was calling the 732 number (North Jersey) at exactly 8:02 AM on a Tuesday. The key was being persistent with the redial - I literally hit redial about 50 times in a row until it connected me to the hold queue instead of the busy signal. Once I was in the queue, I used the callback option and they called me back in about an hour. I also noticed that having all my paperwork ready (claim number, social security, etc.) made the actual much faster when they did reach me. Don't give up everyone - the system is definitely broken but these strategies really do work if you stick with them!
This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing the specifics! The 732 number for North Jersey is something I hadn't tried yet - I've been focusing on the 856 number everyone mentioned. I love that you mentioned having all your paperwork ready beforehand too, that's such a smart tip that I wouldn't have thought of. The fact that you had to redial 50 times just shows how determined we all have to be with this system. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday morning approach with the 732 number and have everything organized ahead of time. It's incredible that we've basically had to reverse-engineer the best ways to our own state agency, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing what actually works!
I've been lurking here reading everyone's strategies and finally got through yesterday! I combined the early morning calling (8:01 AM) with the 856 number approach and it worked. What I want to add is that I kept a spreadsheet tracking my attempts - times, numbers tried, and outcomes. After 2 weeks of data, I noticed Wednesdays between 8:00-8:15 AM had my highest success rate for getting past the busy signal. Also, once you're in the callback queue, don't hang up and try again thinking you can get through faster - I made that mistake twice and lost my place. The callback system actually works if you're patient. Stay strong everyone, this community's shared knowledge is what got me through when the official system failed me completely!
Wow, keeping a spreadsheet is brilliant! I wish I had thought of tracking my attempts like that - it would have saved me so much frustration trying to figure out the best times. Your data on Wednesday mornings between 8:00-8:15 AM is really helpful, and I'm definitely going to avoid the mistake of hanging up once I'm in the callback queue. It's incredible that we've had to become data analysts just to unemployment, but your systematic approach clearly works! Thanks for sharing those hard-earned insights - this kind of detailed tracking is exactly what others need to see to stay motivated through this broken system.
I've been following all the advice here and want to share what worked for me after 4 weeks of trying! I used Nia's spreadsheet idea and tracked my calls for a week - turns out Thursday mornings around 8:05 AM with the 856 number was my sweet spot. The key breakthrough was when I realized that if you get the busy signal, wait exactly 30 seconds before redialing instead of immediately hitting redial. This seems to help you get into the queue system rather than just hitting the busy circuit over and over. Once I got through to the callback system, it took about 55 minutes for them to me back, but the actual was super quick since I had all my documents ready. The representative was actually really helpful once I got connected - it's just getting through that initial phone maze that's the nightmare. Don't lose hope everyone, the persistence really does pay off and this community's shared strategies are what made the difference for me!
Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve NJ unemployment difficulties, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBJ_mkLjQo
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T Davis
I been trying too for the 2 months cause I missed my appointment 🤦🏾♂️
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Tyra Wilson
•Smh so I kept calling the 856 number for south Jersey and the finally went through . U literally have to keep trying
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Tyra Wilson
•I got thru around 1 and the wait was only 20 minutes suprisly
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T Davis
•Wow I’ll be calling them all day tomorrow I’m taking off work
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Tyra Wilson
•It’s a shame it’s this hard to get in with them smh. But good luck !
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T Davis
•Thanks beloved, you gave me the motivation ☺️ I’ll be back with an update
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T Davis
•So I got threw yesterday using 856 number and expecting a back today.. thanks again
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Todd Brown
Claimyr will be active in NJ SOON!!
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T Davis
•We hope!
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Amara Adebayo
I've been dealing with the same issue for weeks! The phone lines are constantly busy and when you do get through, you're often put on hold for hours. Has anyone tried calling first thing in the morning right when they open? I'm wondering if there's a better time of day to get through. This whole system really needs an overhaul - it's so frustrating when you need help and can't reach anyone.
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Malik Johnson
•I've had the same experience with calling in the morning - it's still crazy busy but I think you have a slightly better chance around 8:30-9:00 AM when they first open. I also found that calling the 856 number for South Jersey (like Tyra mentioned) sometimes gets through faster than the main line. Another tip I heard is to try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - Mondays and Fridays seem to be the worst. It's ridiculous that we have to strategize just to get basic help! Hope you get through soon.
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Yuki Tanaka
•Thanks for sharing those tips! I'm going to try the 8:30-9:00 AM window tomorrow and see if I have better luck. It's so helpful to hear what's actually worked for people rather than just guessing. The fact that we need a whole strategy just to our own state's unemployment office is pretty telling about how broken the system is. I'll definitely avoid Mondays and Fridays - makes total sense that those would be the busiest days. Fingers crossed one of these approaches finally works!
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Aisha Khan
•I've been in the same boat for over a month now! What's really helped me is using the callback feature when you finally do get through to the automated system - instead of waiting on hold, they'll you back and hold your place in line. Also, I discovered that if you right at 7:59 AM (a minute before they officially open), sometimes the system will let you queue up early. And definitely keep Tom's YouTube video handy - it has some really specific button sequences that can help navigate their phone tree faster. This whole situation is beyond frustrating but we've got to share these workarounds with each other!
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Ravi Kapoor
I've been struggling with this for 3 weeks now! Just wanted to share what finally worked for me - I combined several of the strategies mentioned here. I called the 856 number at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday, and when I got to the automated menu, I used the button sequence from Tom's video to get through faster. The callback feature was a lifesaver - instead of sitting on hold for hours, they called me back in about 45 minutes. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become phone system experts just to get help with our unemployment claims, but at least we're helping each other figure it out. Keep trying everyone - persistence really does pay off with this broken system!
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TillyCombatwarrior
•This is exactly the kind of systematic approach that works! I'm so glad you got through - 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable considering what most of us have been dealing with. I'm definitely going to try your combination strategy tomorrow morning. It's amazing how this community has basically created our own unofficial guide to navigating NJ unemployment when the official system fails us. Thanks for sharing the specific timing and steps that worked - this gives me hope that persistence really will pay off eventually!
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Yuki Kobayashi
Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I finally got through last week after 6 weeks of trying! What worked for me was calling the 732 number (North Jersey) at exactly 8:02 AM on a Tuesday. The key was being persistent with the redial - I literally hit redial about 50 times in a row until it connected me to the hold queue instead of the busy signal. Once I was in the queue, I used the callback option and they called me back in about an hour. I also noticed that having all my paperwork ready (claim number, social security, etc.) made the actual much faster when they did reach me. Don't give up everyone - the system is definitely broken but these strategies really do work if you stick with them!
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Sean Doyle
•This is such valuable information, thank you for sharing the specifics! The 732 number for North Jersey is something I hadn't tried yet - I've been focusing on the 856 number everyone mentioned. I love that you mentioned having all your paperwork ready beforehand too, that's such a smart tip that I wouldn't have thought of. The fact that you had to redial 50 times just shows how determined we all have to be with this system. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday morning approach with the 732 number and have everything organized ahead of time. It's incredible that we've basically had to reverse-engineer the best ways to our own state agency, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing what actually works!
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Nia Davis
I've been lurking here reading everyone's strategies and finally got through yesterday! I combined the early morning calling (8:01 AM) with the 856 number approach and it worked. What I want to add is that I kept a spreadsheet tracking my attempts - times, numbers tried, and outcomes. After 2 weeks of data, I noticed Wednesdays between 8:00-8:15 AM had my highest success rate for getting past the busy signal. Also, once you're in the callback queue, don't hang up and try again thinking you can get through faster - I made that mistake twice and lost my place. The callback system actually works if you're patient. Stay strong everyone, this community's shared knowledge is what got me through when the official system failed me completely!
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Yuki Ito
•Wow, keeping a spreadsheet is brilliant! I wish I had thought of tracking my attempts like that - it would have saved me so much frustration trying to figure out the best times. Your data on Wednesday mornings between 8:00-8:15 AM is really helpful, and I'm definitely going to avoid the mistake of hanging up once I'm in the callback queue. It's incredible that we've had to become data analysts just to unemployment, but your systematic approach clearly works! Thanks for sharing those hard-earned insights - this kind of detailed tracking is exactly what others need to see to stay motivated through this broken system.
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Kaylee Cook
I've been following all the advice here and want to share what worked for me after 4 weeks of trying! I used Nia's spreadsheet idea and tracked my calls for a week - turns out Thursday mornings around 8:05 AM with the 856 number was my sweet spot. The key breakthrough was when I realized that if you get the busy signal, wait exactly 30 seconds before redialing instead of immediately hitting redial. This seems to help you get into the queue system rather than just hitting the busy circuit over and over. Once I got through to the callback system, it took about 55 minutes for them to me back, but the actual was super quick since I had all my documents ready. The representative was actually really helpful once I got connected - it's just getting through that initial phone maze that's the nightmare. Don't lose hope everyone, the persistence really does pay off and this community's shared strategies are what made the difference for me!
0 coins