Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live NYDOL agent in minutes.
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
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!
Really made a difference
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!
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 :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I just went through this exact process two weeks ago! Definitely report it immediately - I used the my.ny.gov portal to report my return to work the day I got my job offer, even before my actual start date. The online system is pretty straightforward - there's a "Report Return to Work" section where you just enter your employer info and start date. The most important thing is to NOT file your weekly claim for any week you're working full-time. I was paranoid about messing it up too, but as long as you report it promptly and stop filing claims when you start working, you'll be fine. NYS Department of Labor actually prefers when people are proactive about reporting employment changes. Good luck with the new job!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I was getting stressed about the timing but it sounds like reporting it right away when you get the offer (even before starting) is the smart move. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate the NYS Department of Labor website alone. The "Report Return to Work" section on my.ny.gov sounds straightforward enough. I'm feeling much more confident about handling this properly now. Thanks for taking the time to share what worked for you!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this recently! I was in the exact same boat - got a job offer on short notice and panicked about the reporting requirements. Here's what I learned: report it immediately through my.ny.gov (there's a specific "Report Return to Work" function), and make sure you don't file ANY weekly claims for weeks you'll be working full-time, even if you haven't received your first paycheck yet. The timing of when you start work matters more than when you get paid. I reported mine the same day I accepted the offer, about 4 days before my actual start date, and everything went smoothly. NYS Department of Labor actually appreciates when people are proactive about these changes rather than trying to figure it out after the fact. Don't stress too much - as long as you report it promptly and stop filing claims when appropriate, you'll be fine. Congrats on the new position!
This is such great advice! I'm actually in a similar situation where I just accepted a job offer and start next week. Your point about reporting it the same day you accept the offer is really smart - I hadn't thought about doing it that early but it makes total sense to be proactive. The fact that you reported 4 days before your start date and had no issues is really reassuring. I was worried about the timing too, especially since my first paycheck won't come for a few weeks after I start. Thanks for clarifying that it's about when you start work, not when you get paid. I'm going to log into my.ny.gov tonight and get this reported right away!
Join the conversation
Sorry to hear about the potential layoff situation - that's really stressful! Just wanted to add that when you do file with NYS Department of Labor, make sure you have your direct deposit info ready so you can get payments faster once approved. Also, if your employer offers any severance package, that might affect when your benefits start, so mention it when you file your claim. The good news is layoffs are pretty straightforward cases for unemployment eligibility compared to other separation reasons.
That's a great point about severance pay! @Caden Nguyen - definitely be upfront about any severance when you file. NYS Department of Labor has specific rules about how severance affects your benefit start date. Some types of severance might delay when you can start collecting, but it s'better to report it accurately from the beginning than have issues later. The direct deposit tip is solid too - saves you from waiting for checks in the mail.
Hey @Caden Nguyen, I went through a layoff situation about 8 months ago and understand how overwhelming it can feel. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple checklist beforehand - gather your pay stubs from the last 18 months, write down your exact employment dates, and screenshot any layoff communications from your employer. The NYS Department of Labor website can be glitchy during peak times, so try filing early morning or late evening if you run into issues. Also, don't stress too much about the exact benefit amount calculation - the system will figure that out based on your wage history. Focus on getting the claim filed quickly and staying on top of your weekly certifications. You've got this!
@Yuki Watanabe this is such helpful advice! I m'definitely going to start gathering those documents now rather than waiting. The checklist idea is brilliant - I m'already feeling less scattered just thinking about having everything organized beforehand. Do you remember roughly how long it took from when you filed to when you received your first payment? And did you have any issues with the weekly certifications or were those pretty straightforward once you got into the routine?
Join the conversation
I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just got laid off two weeks ago and accepted an offer yesterday, but they can't start me until March 1st due to their quarterly training program. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. It sounds like the consensus is clear: be honest about the pending job offer when filing, maintain genuine availability for other immediate work opportunities, and keep up with the required job search activities until you actually start working. The fact that so many people have successfully navigated this with NYS DOL gives me confidence to file my claim this week. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this thread is a goldmine of real-world experience that you just can't find in the official documentation!
I'm so glad I found this thread too! I was in a very similar situation about 4 months ago - got laid off and then had a 6-week wait before my new job could start due to security clearance processing. The whole experience taught me that NYS DOL really does understand these timing gaps are common in today's hiring process. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log not just of my job applications, but also of any communication with my future employer about the start date. It showed I was being proactive about both my immediate needs and my future employment. The weekly certifications became routine once I got into the rhythm of it. Your March 1st start date gives you plenty of time to collect benefits - definitely don't hesitate to file! The peace of mind of having some income during the wait was invaluable.
I'm currently in this exact situation too! Got laid off in December and just accepted an offer that doesn't start until February 28th due to their background check and training schedule delays. I was really nervous about filing for unemployment with a job already lined up, but reading all these experiences has been incredibly helpful. It's clear that NYS DOL handles this scenario regularly and the key is just being transparent about everything. I'm planning to file my claim tomorrow and will make sure to be upfront about the pending job offer while emphasizing that I'm genuinely available for immediate work if other opportunities arise. The 8+ week gap between now and my start date definitely justifies collecting benefits during this period. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - you've all made me feel much more confident about navigating this process!
Join the conversation
I went through this exact situation 2 years ago when our local went on strike for 5 weeks. The unemployment denial was tough but here's what helped me get through it: 1) Applied for emergency SNAP benefits immediately - the process was faster than I expected, 2) Called my credit card companies and mortgage lender to explain the situation - most had temporary hardship programs, 3) Our union organized carpools and shared resources which saved on gas/groceries. Also check if your union has agreements with local businesses for discounts during strikes. Mine had deals with a few grocery stores that helped stretch the strike fund money. Stay strong and remember this is temporary - the financial stress is real but you're fighting for something important.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This is exactly the kind of practical advice I needed. I hadn't thought about applying for emergency SNAP benefits or contacting my credit card companies proactively. Five weeks sounds really tough but it's encouraging to hear you made it through. I'm going to start making those calls tomorrow and see what hardship programs are available. Did you find that being upfront with lenders about the strike situation worked in your favor compared to just missing payments?
@Amina Bah Absolutely - being proactive made a huge difference! When I called my mortgage company and explained I was on strike not (just having "financial difficulties ,")they immediately offered a 3-month forbearance program specifically for temporary job disruptions. Same with my credit cards - they reduced minimum payments and waived late fees once I explained the situation upfront. The key was calling BEFORE missing any payments, not after. One lender even told me they have special protocols for labor disputes because they know strikes eventually end. Much better than letting accounts go delinquent and then trying to explain later. Also, keep documentation of everything - strike notices, union communications, etc. Some programs require proof that your income loss is due to a legitimate labor dispute.
I'm sorry you're facing this difficult situation. As others have mentioned, New York State does not allow unemployment benefits during strikes since it's considered a voluntary work stoppage. However, I wanted to add that you should document everything from this period - strike notices, union communications, dates, etc. This documentation could be helpful if your employment situation changes after the strike ends. Also, if you're a union member, make sure you understand all the benefits your union provides during strikes beyond just the strike fund - some locals have arrangements for healthcare continuation, legal aid, or connections to temporary work that doesn't conflict with strike activities. It's worth having a detailed conversation with your union representatives about all available resources. Hang in there - this is a challenging time but you're standing up for important workplace rights.
This is really comprehensive advice, thank you! I hadn't thought about documenting everything but that makes perfect sense. I'm definitely going to ask my union rep about any additional resources beyond the strike fund - I know some other locals in our area have different arrangements so it's worth checking. The healthcare continuation point is especially important since losing coverage on top of everything else would be a disaster. Do you know if there are any restrictions on what kind of temporary work we can do during a strike without it affecting our standing with the union?
StarStrider
One more thing to keep in mind - when you file your claim, you'll need to provide your gross weekly wages from your highest earning quarter in the past 18 months. If you don't have your pay stubs handy, you can usually find this info on your last few pay stubs or W-2 forms. The system will calculate your benefit amount based on this, so having accurate numbers is important. Also, make sure you understand the difference between being "laid off" vs "fired" when they ask about reason for separation - being laid off due to lack of work is different from being terminated for cause, and it affects your eligibility.
0 coins
Oliver Wagner
•This is really helpful information about the wage calculations! I'm being laid off due to company downsizing, so that should be straightforward for the reason. I'll definitely gather my recent pay stubs before filing Monday so I have the gross weekly wage info ready. Better to have everything organized upfront than scramble for numbers during the application process. Thanks for clarifying the laid off vs fired distinction too - that could definitely trip someone up if they're not sure how to categorize their situation.
0 coins
Ravi Choudhury
Also worth mentioning - if you're getting any severance pay or vacation payout, make sure to report this accurately when filing. NYS DOL needs to know about any payments you're receiving related to your employment, even after your last day of work. Severance can sometimes delay when your benefits start, but it's better to be upfront about it than have issues later. The system will walk you through what needs to be reported, but having that information ready will make the process smoother. Good luck with your claim!
0 coins
Tyler Murphy
•Great point about severance pay! I actually am getting a small severance package, so I'm glad you mentioned that. I was wondering if I should wait until after the severance period ends to file, but sounds like I should still file right away and just report it accurately. Do you know if they'll ask for documentation of the severance amount, or is it just self-reported during the application? I want to make sure I handle this part correctly since it's my first time dealing with unemployment.
0 coins