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If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check your claim status or ask questions, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to an actual agent instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration when my claim was stuck in adjudication.
The whole system is designed to give you as little as possible anyway. Even if you qualify for the maximum $504, that's barely enough to survive in NY with rent and everything else. And they make you jump through hoops with job searches and all that bureaucratic nonsense just to get what you're entitled to.
Just as a heads up, your benefit amount stays the same for the entire benefit year once it's determined, even if you get a part-time job during that time. But if you work part-time while collecting, they'll reduce your weekly payment based on how much you earn. The good news is you can still collect partial benefits as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit rate plus $50.
The NYS Department of Labor phone system is absolutely terrible if you need to talk to someone about your claim status. I spent weeks trying to get through after my forced resignation case went into adjudication. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration honestly.
File your claim ASAP! Even if you're not sure you'll qualify, it's better to get the process started. The worst they can say is no, but if you wait too long you might miss out on benefits you're entitled to. Make sure when you file weekly claims you're actively job searching and keeping track of your job search activities.
I had the same problem with the website timing out constantly. What finally worked for me was using the library computers - their internet is way more stable than my home WiFi. But if you absolutely need to file by phone, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have this video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me hours of being on hold and getting disconnected.
Never heard of that service before, is it legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.
Filing by phone is such a pain but sometimes necessary. One tip - have a backup plan ready because the system goes down for maintenance pretty regularly. Also write down any confirmation numbers they give you immediately because they talk fast and if you miss it, good luck getting back through to ask again.
Landon Flounder
I was struggling to get through to NYS Department of Labor to understand my rate calculation and someone recommended using Claimyr at claimyr.com to help get connected to an agent. They have this demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Ended up getting through to someone who explained the whole experience rating formula in detail. Much easier than trying to call directly and getting busy signals.
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Nasira Ibanez
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to call for weeks to get clarification on some charges that don't look right.
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Callum Savage
The experience rating takes into account 3 years of data typically. So claims from 2022, 2023, and 2024 would affect your 2025 rate. Its not just about number of claims but total dollar amount of benefits paid out compared to your total payroll during that period.
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