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Started a new claim for ny unemployment after my construction project ended in September. I called the unemployment office directly because the website was giving me error messages. The agent took all my info over the phone and said my claim was processed. I've been claiming weekly benefits for the last 3 weeks but haven't received any payments. When I check my payment history it shows all weeks as "pending". I called again yesterday and waited 2 hours just to be told I need to verify my identity through ID.me even though I never applied online. The rep said I should have gotten an email about it but I never did. Does anyone know if this is normal procedure even for phone claims? How long after completing ID.me verification do payments typically start? I'm getting desperate here since rent is due soon and my savings are almost gone.
Anyone who files for NY unemployment benefits now has to verify their identity through ID.me - it's mandatory statewide. Even if you filed by carrier pigeon you'd still need to do it lol. The system should have told you right away tho instead of making you wait 3 weeks. smh the incompetence is astounding
"filed by carrier pigeon" ๐๐๐
25d
try the callback feature on their website. i requested a callback and actually got one... 3 weeks later ๐ but at least I eventually got to talk to someone
I've tried that twice. First time they never called, second time they called when I was in the bathroom and then wouldn't call back again.
25d
Pssst... here's a secret most people don't know: if you file a formal complaint with the NY State Attorney General's office about your unemployment claim, DOL has to respond within 10 business days by law. That's how I finally got my backpay after 4 months of nothing. https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/Filing-a-Consumer-Complaint
๐ Definitely trying this. The regular channels are completely useless.
25d
Can confirm this works!! My partner did this after months of frustration and magically got a call from a supervisor the next week.
25d
FWIW, I got through by using an old trick - call, wait for the automated system, press the option for Spanish, then request an English speaker when an agent answers. The Spanish line often has shorter wait times.
when I was trying to get through to ny unemployment, I literally set up an auto-dialer app on my phone to keep calling them every 30 seconds from 8am to 4pm for THREE DAYS before I finally got through. The system is beyond broken.
Which auto-dialer did you use? I'm ready to try anything.
25d
I used Auto Redial but there are several in the app store. Just remember to keep your phone charged bc it drains battery like crazy.
25d
Does anyone know if this applies to extended benefits too? My regular UI ends soon but I think I qualify for the extension.
Extensions work a bit differently. You need to apply for those separately, they don't automatically continue. Check your inbox on the NY unemployment site for notices.
25d
Thanks! Will do.
25d
When I was in this situation I got my final payment no problem. Just make sure all your weekly certifications are done properly with no mistakes. The system treats the end date as inclusive, meaning you get paid for that full last day/week.
Hey I had this EXACT SAME THING happen in February!!! I couldn't reach anyone at DOL for days. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after someone recommended it here - they got me connected to an actual human at unemployment in like 45 mins. The agent confirmed someone had filed using my identity and helped me report the fraud. Best money I've spent considering it saved me weeks of stress and prevented more damage to my credit. Definitely check them out if you can't get through on the regular line.
It definitely works! All they do is keep dialing for you until they get through, then connect you to the agent. Saved me hours of redial hell.
25d
Can confirm Claimyr worked for me too after trying to get through for 2 weeks on my own. Took about an hour total but finally got to talk to someone who could help.
25d
LOL welcome to the club nobody wants to join! I've been fighting this since November - someone's been collecting $536 a week in my name since October even though I have a full time job. The worst part is DOL treats YOU like the criminal at first. Make sure your friend has all his employment records ready to prove he's been working. And be ready for this to take MONTHS to resolve completely.
months??? ๐ฑ is there any way to speed it up?
25d
Honestly the only thing that worked for me was getting my state representative involved. Call your assembly member - they have special liaisons with DOL who can escalate cases.
25d
CALL THE ADVOCATE OFFICE!! Regular customer service won't help. The advocate office number is (855) 528-5618. They specialize in difficult cases and tax issues. Took me 3 days but I finally got my corrected 1099.
I tried this number and it just refers you back to the main line ๐ซ
25d
Really? It worked for me last week. Maybe they changed it because too many people were calling? System is such a mess.
25d
My tax accountant said this is happening with several clients. He recommends filing with the correct amounts (based on your payment history record) and attaching a letter explaining the situation. If you get a notice from the IRS later, you'll have documentation to respond.
wait hold up - does this actually happen that often? I've been on unemployment for 3 months and haven't had any issues... should I be worried?
Better safe than sorry. Change your password and enable any extra security features they offer. The system is being targeted heavy right now.
25d
Heads up - there's also fake unemployment websites that look exactly like the real one. Always make sure you're on the official .gov site and not some lookalike domain.
ya know whats insane? my friend in NJ got thru to unemployment in 5 minutes. FIVE MINUTES!!! meanwhile in NY we're all suffering for months. makes no sense
Pro tip: if u do get someone on the phone, be SUPER nice to them no matter how frustrated u are. these agents deal with angry people all day. when i finally got thru the lady was so relieved i wasnt yelling that she went above and beyond to help fix my issue.
๐ฏ this is the way. they're just doing their jobs and the system is broken, not their fault
25d
Actually just went thru this!! Had 3 interviews in 4 months. The secret is to be SUPER prepared. Have all ur job search records organized by date with screenshots ready to email. I even had a script ready with all my answers. Each interview got shorter - first one was 40 mins, second was 20, third was literally 5 mins cause they could see I was on top of everything.
This is really helpful, thanks! I'll make sure I have everything super organized for the upcoming interview.
25d
I'm on month 6 of unemployment and never had a single interview. My neighbor got laid off the same time as me from the SAME COMPANY and she's had two interviews already. Makes zero sense how they decide who to check up on.
Lindsey Fry
whatever you do, DO NOT stop certifying weekly just because your payment is pending. keep doing it every week or you'll create even more problems for yourself.
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Saleem Vaziri
You can reach NYSDOL by phone if you're persistent or use a service. I finally got through after trying claimyr.com and they handled everything for me. Got all my back pay from the delayed claims within days after speaking to someone. So worth it not to waste hours upon hours trying to call them yourself.
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