New York Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the NYDOL
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the NYDOL drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Can I reapply for NY unemployment in September if I haven't worked since March 2020?
I've been on unemployment since March 2020 when I lost my job due to the economic crash. My benefits have been extended several times but now my claim is coming to an end in September 2025. The problem is I haven't been able to find work at all during this entire period (health issues + terrible job market in my field). Can I just file a new unemployment claim in September even though I haven't worked or had any income since my initial claim? Or am I just completely out of options? I'm really starting to panic because I still haven't found anything and September is approaching fast.
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NY unemployment claim on hold for ID verification - been 3 weeks with no update!
I submitted my NY unemployment claim back on January 8, 2025 and it's been stuck on 'pending ID verification' for almost 3 weeks now! I uploaded all the documents they asked for through their ID.me system - driver's license (front and back), birth certificate, and a utility bill. The ID.me part seemed to go through fine but my claim is still showing as pending in the system. I've called the NYSDOL number literally 40+ times and can't get through to anyone. The automated system just tells me my claim is pending and then hangs up! I'm getting really desperate here as I've got rent due next week and was counting on these benefits. Has anyone else had their claim stuck in ID verification purgatory? How long did it take to resolve and what did you do to get it moving? I'm worried I made some mistake that's holding things up but have no way to find out what it is.
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I had this problem back in January. After trying to call for two weeks straight, I finally tried calling at exactly 7:30am when they open instead of during normal hours. Got through in only 20 minutes! The agent told me my verification was actually complete but there was a system glitch preventing it from updating my status. She fixed it while I was on the phone and my payment was released the next day. Also, make sure you're still doing your weekly certifications even while your claim is pending - they'll backpay you once approved, but only if you've been certifying each week!
Thank you for the tip about calling right when they open! I'll try that tomorrow morning. And yes, I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously, even though the system says I'm not eligible for payment yet. Fingers crossed I can get this resolved soon.
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get this resolved? I'm curious if calling early worked or if you tried another method.
Yes! I actually tried the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above, and it worked perfectly. Got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes. Turns out there was a mismatch between my address on my driver's license (which was my old apartment) and the address I entered on my application. The agent was able to override it since I'd uploaded a current utility bill too. My claim was approved the next day and I received backpay for all three weeks! Such a relief - NYSDOL really needs to improve their communication about these issues.
Can't log in to get my NY unemployment 1099-G tax form - need urgent help!
I'm freaking out because I need my 1099-G form for my taxes but I can't log in to my NY unemployment account! I keep getting an error message saying "account temporarily unavailable" when I try to access it. I've tried resetting my password twice but still nothing works. My tax appointment is in 10 days and I NEED this form! Has anyone else had this problem? Is there another way to get the 1099-G without logging in? Getting really desperate here...
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UPDATE: I tried calling the automated system but it kept saying all representatives were busy. Then I tried logging in at 5:30am this morning and IT WORKED! I was able to download my 1099-G form! For anyone else having this problem, definitely try during off-hours like someone suggested above. Thanks everyone for your help!
That's great news! Glad you were able to get in early morning. Smart move - I should have suggested that too.
Does anyone know if the 1099-G we get this year looks different from last year? Mine has a bunch of new fields on it and I don't understand what some of them mean. There's a section called "Other Taxable Income" that has money listed but I don't remember getting any other payments besides my regular benefits. Should I be worried?
The 2025 1099-G form for unemployment has been redesigned with additional fields. The "Other Taxable Income" section typically refers to any supplemental benefits you may have received, like the additional $100 weekly supplement that was available for part of last year in certain circumstances. If you're concerned about discrepancies, I'd recommend contacting NYSDOL directly to get clarification on exactly what payments are included in that total.
Waiting 4 months for NY unemployment back payments - can't get through on phone!!
I've been waiting for my NY unemployment back payments since August 2025, and it's already December now! I even called them a couple months ago and they said all they have to do is RELEASE it, but every time I try calling now it's impossible to get through. Every single day I hear the same message: "due to high calling volume unfortunately our agents are busy you going to have to call back later"... but seriously, EVERY DAY???? I've tried mornings, afternoons, different days of the week. Nothing works! Guys I don't know what to do anymore 😅😅😅😅 please help! My account shows the payments as 'pending release' but there's literally no way to contact anyone. Has anyone recently managed to get through to a real person??
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Here's what's actually happening with the "release" situation: When a NYSDOL representative tells you they just need to "release" your payment, they're referring to removing a temporary system hold. These holds can happen for various legitimate reasons: - Identity verification checks (especially if you've recently updated any personal information) - System flagging patterns that require manual review - The October 2025 system migration that affected many accounts - Break-in-claim verification requirements The frustrating part is that these holds require manual intervention - there is no automatic resolution after a certain timeframe. And with the current call volume, many legitimate claims are stuck in limbo. I recommend: 1. Continue trying to call early morning (7:55am) and be ready to hit redial repeatedly 2. Use the secure message system with very specific subject lines ("Payment Release Request - Claim #XXXX") 3. Contact your state representative as another commenter suggested 4. Document everything for potential interest penalties (NYS does pay interest on long-delayed benefits in some circumstances) This system-wide issue should improve by late December according to the latest NYSDOL communications.
Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll definitely use that specific subject line for my next message. Do you think I'd qualify for interest since it's been over 4 months? And is there anything specific I should say when I actually get through to an agent to make sure they completely fix the issue?
Yes, at 4+ months you'd likely qualify for interest payments, but you'll need to specifically request it once your base issue is resolved. When you do reach an agent, ask these specific questions: 1. "What specifically is causing the payment hold on my account?" 2. "Is there any additional information you need from me to release ALL pending payments?" 3. "Can you verify there are no other issues that might delay payment after this is resolved?" 4. "What is the exact timeframe for receiving my payments once you process this?" 5. "Should I request interest payment now or through a separate process?" Get the agent's name and ID number if possible. This creates accountability and gives you a reference if you need to follow up again.
I finally got through to NYSDOL!!! Used Claimyr from the suggestions here and was connected to an agent in about 35 minutes (after trying for WEEKS on my own). The agent said there was a "verification hold" on my account from when I uploaded my ID back in August that never cleared properly. She removed it while I was on the phone and said all my back payments should process in 1-3 business days! Thank you all SO MUCH for the help - will update when the money actually hits my account. What a relief!!!
Great news! This is exactly the kind of hold issue we've been seeing. Make sure to keep certifying weekly as normal, and if the payments don't arrive within 3 business days, document that and call back. Glad you got it resolved!
lucky!!! might have to try that service myself... so tired of this waiting game
Need NY unemployment office phone number ASAP - urgent claim issue
Hi everyone, I'm having a really urgent issue with my NY unemployment claim and need to talk to a real person. I had the number saved but can't find it anymore. Can someone please share the direct number to reach an actual agent? I've been trying the main number but just keep getting stuck in the automated system. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
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The whole system is BROKEN BY DESIGN!! They make it nearly impossible to get through because they don't want to pay people. I've been dealing with NYSDOL for 3 months and spent probably 40+ hours just trying to get through to a person. It's dehumanizing and cruel to people who are already struggling. They know exactly what they're doing!
ya it's totally messed up. my cousin works for the state (not unemployment) and he says they're super understaffed since 2025 budget cuts. not enough people to answer calls but thats not our fault!!
UPDATE: I finally got through! I ended up using Claimyr this morning after trying for an hour on my own with no luck. Got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes and they fixed my issue right away - turns out there was a verification flag on my account that they quickly removed. My payment should be processed in 3 business days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
Great news! Glad to hear you got it resolved. Just as a heads-up for future reference - once your claim is established and running smoothly, you can also use the secure message system in your NY.gov account for less urgent matters. The response time is usually 3-5 business days, but it's another way to communicate without phone calls for simple questions.
Grace Johnson
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