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If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I'm going through this exact situation right now with my freelance writing business. After reading everyone's experiences here, I decided to file my claim last week even though my business is technically still open. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of when my last client payment came in (December 15th) and screenshots showing zero new inquiries or projects since then. During my initial phone interview, the NYS Department of Labor representative seemed most concerned about whether I was doing any work activities at all - even things like updating my portfolio or networking. I had to assure them that I've completely stepped back from all business activities and am focusing solely on finding traditional employment. The process is definitely nerve-wracking, but based on what I've read here and my own research, as long as you're completely honest about your situation and can prove you're genuinely unemployed (not just slow), you should be eligible. The key is documenting everything and being prepared to show that your business income has truly stopped, not just decreased.
@Oliver Schulz Thank you for sharing your current experience - it s'really helpful to hear from someone who just went through the filing process! I m'curious about the phone interview you mentioned. How long after you filed did they contact you for that interview? And did they ask for any specific documentation during that call, or was it more about verbally confirming your situation? I m'planning to file next week and want to make sure I have everything organized beforehand. Also, when you mentioned stepping back from all "business activities, did" that include things like maintaining your business licenses or basic administrative tasks, or just the actual work/marketing activities? I want to make sure I understand exactly what counts as work "in" their eyes.
@Oliver Schulz This is exactly the kind of real-time experience I was hoping to find! I m'in a very similar situation with my consulting business - last client payment was in early December and I ve'been agonizing over whether to file. Your point about documenting everything is really smart. I ve'been keeping records but hadn t'thought about taking screenshots of my empty inbox/project pipeline. When they asked about stepping back from all business activities, did they get into specifics about things like keeping your business bank account open or maintaining your LLC registration? I m'wondering if there s'a difference between administrative maintenance versus actual business operations in their view. Also, how long did they say the adjudication process would take in your case? I know it varies, but any timeline would help me plan financially.
I'm also a business owner in NYS dealing with this exact situation - my marketing consultancy has been essentially dead since November. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful, especially the detailed accounts from Isabella, Oliver, and others who've actually gone through the process. One thing I wanted to add based on my research is that NYS Department of Labor has a specific form (IA 12.3) for self-employed individuals that you might need to complete during the adjudication process. It asks detailed questions about your business operations, income history, and current status. I found this information buried in their website and thought it might help others prepare. Also, for those worried about the phone wait times, I've had better luck calling right when they open at 8 AM on weekdays - still a wait, but much more manageable than later in the day. The uncertainty is definitely stressful, but it sounds like as long as you're genuinely unemployed and honest about your situation, NYS Department of Labor will work with you to determine eligibility.
@Daniel White Thanks for mentioning the IA 12.3 form - I had no idea that existed! I ve'been preparing for my filing and this is exactly the kind of detail that would have caught me off guard during the process. Do you know if they send this form automatically during adjudication or do you need to request it? Also, your tip about calling at 8 AM is gold - I ve'been trying to reach them for days with no luck. It s'really encouraging to see so many people in similar situations sharing their experiences here. The uncertainty is definitely the worst part, but hearing from folks like Isabella who successfully navigated this process gives me hope that it s'possible to get benefits while keeping the business technically open but dormant.
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I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago and want to share what I learned. First, don't ignore that 30-day window - it's crucial. I initially panicked and almost let the deadline pass, which would have been a huge mistake. The "fraud penalties" designation is often applied automatically by their system when there's any discrepancy in reporting, even if it was genuinely unintentional. I was able to get mine reduced from $3,400 to $1,800 by appealing and providing documentation that showed I had misunderstood the reporting requirements for part-time work while collecting benefits. The appeals process took about 4 months, but it was worth it. Even if you end up owing something, getting those fraud penalties removed can save you a significant amount. My advice: call them immediately to discuss your options, gather any documentation you have from that time period (pay stubs, work schedules, emails with employers), and don't be afraid to appeal if you genuinely believe it was an error. The system is definitely flawed, but there are ways to fight back if you're persistent.
@3103851ab1f5 Thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! Your success story is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I'm especially interested in understanding how you documented that you misunderstood the reporting requirements - did you have to show what information was available to you at the time, or did you focus more on demonstrating that your mistake was reasonable given the circumstances? I'm in a similar boat with part-time work reporting, and I'm worried that I don't have enough documentation from over a year ago. Also, when you called initially to discuss options, did they give you any sense of whether your case had a good chance for appeal, or is that something you only find out after going through the formal process? I have about 20 days left on my deadline and trying to figure out the best strategy.
@3103851ab1f5 Your story is really encouraging! I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation and I'm wondering about the timeline - you mentioned the appeals process took about 4 months. During that time, were you required to make any payments while the appeal was pending, or did they put everything on hold until the decision was made? I'm trying to figure out if I should set up a payment plan as a backup while also filing an appeal, or if appealing automatically pauses any payment requirements. Also, did you have to attend any hearings or was it all handled through paperwork? I'm nervous about potentially having to argue my case in person if that's part of the process.
I'm going through this exact situation right now and it's so overwhelming! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both terrifying and helpful. I received my overpayment notice about 10 days ago for $2,100 with fraud penalties, and I've been losing sleep over it. Like many of you, I honestly thought I was following the rules correctly when reporting my part-time work while collecting benefits. The worst part is trying to get someone on the phone - I've called probably 15 times and either get disconnected or stuck on hold for hours. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy that several people mentioned. Has anyone had success with requesting detailed documentation from NYS DOL about exactly how they calculated the overpayment? I feel like I need to understand their math before I can decide whether to appeal or just set up payments. This whole system seems designed to intimidate people into just paying without questioning anything.
I completely understand that overwhelming feeling - the whole process is so stressful and confusing! You're absolutely right to request detailed documentation of their calculation before deciding your next steps. When I was dealing with a similar situation, I found it helpful to ask specifically for a "benefit payment history" and "wage records" that show exactly which weeks they think you were overpaid and why. This helped me identify where the discrepancy occurred. The early morning calling strategy really does work - I had the most luck calling right at 8 AM when they open. Also, don't let them intimidate you into making a quick decision. You have rights, and if you genuinely believe you followed the rules correctly, it's worth fighting for. Keep detailed notes of every call you make, including names and reference numbers. You've got 20 days left based on your timeline, so there's still time to get answers and make an informed decision about appealing vs. payment plan.
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Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been lurking here dealing with the same nightmare! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. I've been trying the regular phone line for over a month with zero success. Definitely gonna try the assembly rep route first thing Monday - seems like that's the most consistent success story here. Also setting my alarm for 6:30am to try the online portal when traffic is low. Really appreciate everyone sharing actual solutions instead of just venting (though the venting is totally justified lol). This community has been more helpful than any official government resource. Will report back if any of these methods work for me! 🤞
@Zara Ahmed Same here! This thread has been a goldmine of actual helpful info. I ve'been spinning my wheels for weeks with the regular channels. Just bookmarked this whole conversation because there s'more useful advice here than anywhere else I ve'looked. The assembly rep strategy seems to be the real MVP based on everyone s'experiences. Gonna try that plus the 6:30am online portal approach. Let s'all report back with results - this community is way better than the official DOL help "💯"
@Nia Thompson I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and it's driving me crazy! Been trying to get through for almost 2 months. After reading through everyone's advice here, I'm convinced the assembly rep route is the way to go - seems like literally everyone who tried it got results within a few days. I'm in Queens so gonna look up my assembly member on nyassembly.gov and call Monday morning. Also definitely trying the 6:30am online portal trick, that makes so much sense why the site always crashes during normal hours. This thread has been way more helpful than anything on the DOL website or calling their useless phone line. Thanks to everyone sharing what actually works! Will update if I have any success 🙏
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good for you getting off the system! I've been trying to find work for 8 months now and still nothing. The job search requirements are such a pain.
Hang in there! I know how frustrating it can be. The job market seems to be picking up a bit lately.
Just want to add that if your part-time job has irregular hours or you're not sure about the full-time conversion timeline, you might want to keep your claim open initially and just report your part-time earnings each week. NYS allows you to work part-time while collecting reduced benefits as long as you report all wages honestly. This way you have a safety net if the full-time position doesn't materialize. Once you're confident about steady full-time work, then do the proper closure process everyone mentioned above.
That's really smart advice about keeping the claim open initially with part-time work reporting. I hadn't thought about that option. Since my new job is only part-time right now and they said "might" turn into full-time, maybe I should do exactly what you suggested - report the part-time wages and keep the claim active until I know for sure about the full-time position. Better safe than sorry! Do you know if there's a limit to how long you can do partial benefits like that?
Diego Rojas
I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed my claim 4 weeks ago and it's been stuck on "pending review" ever since. The worst part is I keep seeing people who filed after me already getting their benefits. I've probably called 50+ times with no luck - either busy signals or getting disconnected after hours on hold. It's so frustrating because I worked and paid into this system for years, and now when I actually need it, they make it nearly impossible to access. Reading through these comments, it sounds like calling is basically mandatory now even though the website makes it seem like everything can be done online. Might have to try that claimyr service people keep mentioning since the traditional methods clearly aren't working. Thanks for posting this - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!
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Sophie Duck
•I feel your pain completely! Same exact situation here - filed weeks ago, stuck on "pending review" while watching others who applied later get approved. The system is absolutely broken. From what I'm reading in all these comments, it really does seem like calling is basically required now despite what the website suggests. The claimyr service keeps coming up as something that actually works when the regular phone lines fail. It's ridiculous that we have to resort to third-party services just to access benefits we've paid into, but if it gets results... 🤷♀️ Stay strong and don't give up - you've earned these benefits!
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Lydia Bailey
I'm in the exact same situation! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago after getting laid off from my retail job and it's been stuck on "pending review" ever since. I've called probably 30+ times with zero success - always busy signals or getting hung up on after waiting forever. It's so stressful watching my bills pile up while the system just sits there doing nothing. Based on all these comments it really sounds like you HAVE to call to get anywhere, which is insane since the website makes it seem like everything should work online. Definitely going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow and maybe look into that claimyr service if that doesn't work. Thanks for posting this - it helps knowing I'm not the only one dealing with this broken system!
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