9 months since I filed NY unemployment and still nothing - what can I do?

Same exact situation here. Going on 7 months with pending status. Called so many times I've memorized their hold music. One rep told me there was a 'flag' on my account but couldn't tell me what it was for. Another said they needed more documentation, which I sent, but still nothing. The system is completely broken.

After struggling for months with the same issue, I finally got through to someone who could actually help. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that kept dialing for me and connected me directly with an agent. When I finally spoke to a real person, they saw my claim was stuck in some identity verification loop. Got it resolved in 2 days after that call and backpay hit my account the following week. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - can't believe I wasted so many months trying to do it myself. Check out this video too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Honestly the system sucks so bad. Took me 11 months to get my benefits, and thats only after I reached out to my state representative. Try contacting your local assemblyperson or state senator - their offices can sometimes expedite claims.

Have you checked if there's an ID verification issue? That's what happened to me - had to upload my ID docs again through ID.me and then call to get them to acknowledge it. The NY unemployment system basically assumes everyone is committing fraud until proven otherwise 🙄

Look up your state assembly person and state senator. Call AND email both offices. Explain your situation and ask for help with your unemployment claim. Include your full name, contact info, and claim ID. I got my benefits within 2 weeks after my senator's office intervened.

This is going to sound bizarre but try calling right when they open at 8am but on Thursdays specifically. For some reason thats when I've had the best luck getting through to senior agents who can actually fix things rather than just reading from scripts. Also, always say "REPRESENTATIVE" when the automated system asks why you're calling.

Here's what worked for me after 5 months of hell with NY unemployment: 1. Call early morning (7:55am) and hit zero repeatedly when the automated system starts 2. Specifically ask for a TIER 2 agent or claims specialist - regular agents can't fix complex issues 3. If they say they can't transfer you, hang up and try again 4. Once you get a tier 2, ask them to check for "block codes" on your account 5. Request they email you exactly what documentation is needed 6. Get the agent's name and ID number 7. IMPORTANT: Ask them to put detailed notes in your file If calling doesn't work after several attempts, contact your state assembly person AND state senator simultaneously. Don't just email - call their offices too. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Alternatively, the service at claimyr.com can get you through to an agent much faster - they keep dialing and then connect you when they reach a human. After months of frustration, sometimes paying for a solution is worth it to finally get your money.

omg im in the exact same boat! 8 months and counting with absolutley nothing. I've called probly 100 times. Last week a rep told me my claim was "under special review" whatever tf that means 😡 like just tell me what the problem is so i can fix it!!!!

The ny unemployment system has gotten so much worse since COVID. They're still dealing with massive backlogs and fraud prevention has gone overboard. My cousin works for NYSDOL (not in claims) and says they're critically understaffed in the department that handles complex claims. Don't give up though - you WILL get your backpay eventually.

Try reaching out on Twitter. Sounds weird but I DMed @NYSLabor with my issue after months of nothing and got a response within 48 hours. Someone called me the next day and fixed my claim. Sometimes public platforms get faster responses bc they dont want the bad publicity.

I had the same problem last year and tried everything. Finally what workked was using claimyr.com to get through to an agent who could actually see my claim status. Turns out there was an employer dispute that nobody had bothered to tell me about. Got it cleared up in one call once I finally spoke to the right person. worth every penny to get my thousands in backpay!

9 months with no payment???? That's completely unacceptable. Document EVERYTHING - dates you called, who you spoke with, what they said. You might need to pursue legal options if this continues. There are legal aid services that help with unemployment issues for free.

Have you sent a secure message through your unemployment account? I found that worked better than calling. Be super specific about your issue and ask for a direct response. Sometimes they actually respond faster that way vs phone.

The most important thing is to find out WHY your claim is pending. Could be identity verification, wage verification, employer dispute, or dozens of other reasons. You need to talk to someone who will actually look at your specific claim and tell you exactly what's holding it up. Regular agents just read from scripts and tell you to wait.

I'm telling you right now, after going thru this nightmare myself - use claimyr.com to get a callback from an ACTUAL AGENT. It's the only thing that worked after 6 months of my claim being stuck in limbo. Got someone who actually knew what they were doing and within 5 minutes they found the issue (I had accidentally clicked something wrong on my initial application) and fixed it. Had my payments including all backpay within a week. Best money I ever spent considering how much I got back in benefits.

dude its so bad rn. my bff has been waiting 6 months and someone finally told her last week that they needed her 2020 w2 for some reason?? like why didn't anyone tell her that months ago?? the lack of communication is the worst part 🤮

Call this number instead of the main line: 888-209-8124. It's their direct claims specialist line. Press options 1, then 5, then wait for a real person. If they try to transfer you, insist on speaking to a tier 2 claims specialist. Be super polite but VERY persistent. Don't hang up until they give you a specific answer about what's holding up your claim.

If ALL else fails, file a complaint with the NYS Department of Labor Inspector General. Google their website. That gets attention fast because they're required to investigate all complaints. Include all the dates you've contacted unemployment with no resolution.

This whole thread is makin me anxious AF cuz I just applied last week and now im scared ill be waiting forever too. The system is such a joke 😡

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 9 months is absolutely ridiculous! Reading through all these responses, it seems like the key is getting to someone who can actually see what's blocking your claim. Based on what others have shared, I'd suggest trying multiple approaches at once: 1) Use that direct claims specialist number someone mentioned (888-209-8124), 2) Contact your state representatives' offices for constituent services, and 3) Try that Twitter DM approach to @NYSLabor. The fact that so many people have had similar experiences and then got resolved quickly once they reached the right person gives me hope for you. Don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits and the backpay! Keep us updated on what works.