


Ask the community...
UPDATE: I FINALLY got through!!! Used a combination of the advice here. Called the appeals number at 7:56am, mentioned the "economic hardship expedite request" specifically, and they transferred me to someone who could help! My claim was stuck because of a verification issue with my last employer. They're releasing the payments within 3-5 business days. THANK YOU all for the help - would still be stuck without these tips!
Great to hear! The expedited hardship flag makes a big difference in the current backlog. For anyone else reading this with similar issues, remember to check your message center regularly after requesting assistance, as some departments will send follow-up questions there rather than calling.
This is an excellent list! I'd add one more tip: When you do get through to someone, ask them to leave detailed notes on your account about what was discussed and any next steps. Then get the confirmation number for that call. This helped me tremendously when I had to call back multiple times - I could reference the previous conversation by confirmation number which proved I wasn't getting different stories each time.
One more thing to consider - check if your county has any COVID relief funds still available. Some NY counties received extended funding and haven't used it all up. You'd need to call your specific county social services department to ask. Also, if you paid into an optional 1099 disability insurance plan through a private insurer (not the state program), you should contact them immediately. Some private disability plans do cover illness including COVID.
For Albany County specifically, contact the Department of Social Services at (518) 447-7300. They've had some targeted emergency assistance programs for situations like yours. As for next steps, I'd recommend: 1. Call the NYS unemployment office for clarification (using the Claimyr service someone mentioned might help you get through faster) 2. Contact Albany DSS about emergency funds 3. Look into whether you can apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) temporarily while you recover 4. Check if you qualify for an emergency rental assistance program if housing costs are a concern Don't give up - there are resources available, even if traditional unemployment isn't an option!
Julia Hall
I work at a community legal aid office, and we see this issue frequently. In addition to the great advice already given, I strongly recommend you contact your state representative's office. They have dedicated staff who can escalate unemployment issues and often get results much faster than going through normal channels. Just google "NY state assembly member [your neighborhood]" to find your rep. Good luck!
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Mateo Warren
•That's a great idea I hadn't thought of! I'll look up my state assembly member right now. Thank you so much for this tip. Should I call or email their office?
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Julia Hall
•Either works, but I've found calling is usually faster. Ask specifically for their "constituent services" person who handles unemployment issues. They'll likely have you fill out a release form so they can inquire about your case. We've seen cases resolved in 1-2 weeks this way versus months through standard channels.
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Mateo Warren
UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their helpful advice! I've taken several steps: 1. Filed the FP-74 fraud form 2. Set up a fraud alert with credit bureaus 3. Left a detailed message through my NY.gov account 4. Called my state assembly member's office (they were super helpful!) 5. Successfully used Claimyr to reach an agent who put a hold on the compromised account The agent I spoke with said this happens more often than people realize. They're sending me a new KeyBank card to my CURRENT address and started the fraud investigation. They said I should expect to wait about 30-45 days for the investigation, but at least new benefits will be protected. I'll update again when I know more!
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Sofia Price
•Excellent progress! Make sure you keep certifying for benefits each week even while this is being resolved. The system will hold those payments until your new payment method is established, but if you miss certifying, you can't get those weeks retroactively. Glad you're getting it sorted out!
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