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 :)
Need urgent help filing for ny unemployment after illness recovery
I was seriously ill for about two months and completely missed my window to file for unemployment benefits. I lost my job back in February and then got really sick in March and April. Now that I'm finally feeling better, I have no idea where to start with filing my claim. The website is so confusing and I'm worried I might be too late to get any benefits at all. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Do I need a lawyer to help me with backdating my claim? Any advice on how to explain my medical situation to unemployment? I'm completely lost and my savings are almost gone.
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My NY unemployment appeal forms returned to sender after waiting a month - what now?
I was denied unemployment benefits in September and I'm pretty sure it was just because I made some errors on my application. I filled out all the appeal paperwork they required and mailed everything in before the deadline, almost 6 weeks ago. Then YESTERDAY, all my documents showed up back in my mailbox marked 'return to sender'! I don't understand what went wrong. I used the address printed right on their forms. To make things worse, about 4 weeks ago someone from unemployment called asking for some clarification on my case. They promised I'd hear back within 10 business days but of course that never happened. I tried calling them on Monday and waited on hold for over two hours. When someone finally picked up, they transferred me to some automated system that started walking me through filing a completely new claim. I wasn't ready to do that since I didn't have all my employment info with me. Then the call dropped anyway and I haven't been able to get through again. Trying again today but just getting busy signals or disconnects. I'm completely lost on what to do next. Any advice would be really appreciated!
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I kno this sounds crazy but try calling exactly at 4:57pm. For some reason thats when I always get through. The hold music will play for like 30-45 mins but you'll eventually get a person. Worked for me 3 times.
Email them through the contact form on the website AND send a message through your online account messaging system. Sometimes they respond faster to written communications than phone calls. Make your message short, specific and include all your identifying info (claim ID, last 4 of SSN, etc).
I'll try that right now! Should I attach copies of my appeal documents too?
Yes! Attach everything but make sure the files aren't too large or it might reject the submission.
What phone number for NY unemployment questions before filing a claim?
Looking to file for unemployment in New York soon but have some questions before I submit anything. My employer is downsizing next month and I want to be prepared. I tried looking at the website but couldn't find clear answers for my situation. I work part-time at two jobs but I'm only losing one of them. Does anyone know what number I should call to ask questions BEFORE I actually submit a claim? And which menu options to select to talk to a real person? I don't want to mess up my application and have it delayed because I didn't understand something correctly. The NYSDOL website is so confusing!
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Did anyone notice they updated the phone system recently? Now it disconnects you if the wait is too long instead of keeping you on hold forever... somehow that's even worse?
OMG YES! Happened to me 3 times last week. So infuriating!!
Has anyone verified identity over the phone with ny unemployment after ID.me failed?
I've been trying to verify my identity through ID.me for almost 3 weeks now but keep hitting roadblocks. My claim from February is still pending because of this identity verification issue. First my passport photo was too blurry, then my driver's license wasn't accepted because of lighting issues, then the video call option kept disconnecting me after waiting 2+ hours each time. I finally got through to a video agent last week who said everything looked good but then my account got flagged again for "additional verification." I'm at my wits end and running out of savings. Has anyone successfully verified their identity by calling NY unemployment directly instead of using ID.me? The website says verification can be done by phone but doesn't explain how to request it. I've called the main unemployment number at least 12 times but always get transferred around without getting help. Anyone managed to do identity verification over the phone instead of through this broken ID.me system?
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ID.me is straight TRASH. After my 5th failed attempt I raged so hard 😤 The phone verification actually works though! They ask questions about your credit history that a scammer wouldn't know. Much better system. But getting someone on the phone... good luck with that nightmare lol. I finally used claimyr.com after trying for days to call myself.
Yes! I successfully did phone verification after ID.me kept glitching out. They ask security questions based on your credit report - old addresses, loan amounts, previous employers. Way easier than the ID.me nightmare. The hard part is just getting someone on the phone. I had success by calling right when they open at 8am and specifically asking for the identity verification department due to "multiple ID.me failures." Don't let them transfer you to the general queue! Be persistent about needing the specialized identity verification team.
How long did the actual verification take once you got the right person on the phone?
About 15 minutes for the questions, then they told me it would take 3-5 business days to process. My payments actually started 2 days later.
Got my past payments from NY unemployment after multiple calls - is processing time the same as weekly claims?
After literally weeks of trying, I finally managed to get through to NY unemployment and had two back payments released from October. Weirdly, I was able to get through to reps several times over the past few days (guess they must have added more staff or something?). Had to explain my situation over and over again to different people but it eventually got resolved. Now I'm wondering - is the processing time for these backpayments going to be the same as when I do my regular weekly claims? Regular payments usually hit my account in 2-3 business days. Anyone know if backpayments follow the same timeline?
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y'all are lucky to even get through! I've been trying since January and can't even get past the automated system. When I finally do, it hangs up on me after being on hold for 2+ hours. ny unemployment is literally the worst system in the country.
After getting hung up on 9 times, I finally used claimyr.com - they call for you and connect you with a live agent. FINALLY got my issue fixed after months of trying.
looking into this now, thx!
quick tip: if u get a rep who doesn't seem helpful, politely hang up and try again. some reps are WAY better than others. took me 3 different people before someone actually knew how to help with backpay. don't settle for the first person who gives u a generic answer!
This is actually what worked for me! First person told me nothing could be done, second person tried but couldn't figure it out, third person fixed it in like 5 minutes.
Isabella Santos
whatevr u do, dont give up!!! i almost did and then finally got thru and they paid me 8000 backdated!!
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Ravi Gupta
Contact your state representative or assemblyperson! I was stuck in limbo for months, emailed my state senator's office, and they helped push my claim through within a week. They have special contacts at unemployment.
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GalacticGuru
👆 This actually works. They have special phone numbers they can call to check on claims.
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