Update: Did you ever get through? I've found that using the Contact Us form on the NY.gov unemployment website sometimes works better than calling. Select "I need to speak to a representative about my claim" from the dropdown. They're supposed to call back within 2-3 business days. Not ideal but better than endless busy signals.

I feel your pain - the NY unemployment system is absolutely broken. I went through the same nightmare for over a month trying to get my claim straightened out. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned (totally worth it even though I was skeptical at first) AND I also reached out to my state assemblyperson's office. They have a constituent services department that can actually get NYSDOL to respond faster. Just Google "[your area] state assembly" and call their office - they deal with unemployment issues all the time. Don't give up, you're entitled to your benefits and there ARE ways to get through, even though the system makes it ridiculously hard.

similar thing happened to my cousin except it was a construction company that was paying everyone under the table. took months to sort out because there was literally no paper trail of employment

I went through something similar with a small tech startup that folded suddenly. The key is to document EVERYTHING - not just pay stubs, but also your offer letter, any email confirmations about your salary, direct deposit records from your bank, and even text messages about work schedules if you have them. NYS Department of Labor investigators are actually pretty thorough once they open a case against an employer who didn't pay UI taxes. They'll cross-reference your documentation with any records the employer did file (like quarterly tax reports) to build your wage history. The process can take a while, but they do backdate your benefits to when you first filed, so you won't lose out on money you're entitled to.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in early February after a layoff and already had one interview last week. Just got notice for my second one scheduled for next week. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a relief - I was starting to think they were targeting me specifically or that I'd messed something up. The most frustrating part is like others mentioned, they don't tell you this is normal when you first apply. I spent days stressing and double-checking all my documentation thinking I was in trouble. Would be so much better if they just said upfront "hey, new claimants get extra verification calls for the first couple months." At least now I know what to expect and that it should taper off after a few more weeks. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm in the exact same boat! Started collecting in late January after being laid off and I've already had two verification interviews - one in February and another just last week. Like you, I was totally caught off guard by how frequent these are compared to what friends experienced in previous years. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed spreadsheet of all my job search activities with dates, company names, position titles, and follow-up actions. During my second interview, the rep actually complimented how organized my records were and said it made the call go much smoother. The rep also mentioned that these frequent early checks are part of their fraud prevention updates for 2025, and that once you pass the initial verification period (usually 8-10 weeks), they switch you to much less frequent random checks. So hopefully we're both almost through the intensive phase! Hang in there - sounds like you're doing everything right and this should get easier soon.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare with NYSDOL. Four months is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing car repossession. I went through something similar last year and the stress was overwhelming. A few additional suggestions that might help: 1. If you have a Twitter account, try tweeting @NYSDOL with your case details - they sometimes respond faster to public complaints 2. When you call, press 1 for English, then 1 for unemployment, then 2 for existing claim, then 3 for payment issues - this routing sometimes gets you to different representatives 3. Try calling the Teleclaim line at 888-581-5812 and pressing 0 to speak to someone - it's meant for weekly claims but sometimes they can transfer you to the right department The fact that your car is about to be repossessed should definitely qualify you for expedited processing. Make sure you mention "financial hardship" and "imminent loss of transportation" in every communication. Keep us updated on how the assembly member contact goes - that's often the breakthrough people need. Hang in there!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - 4 months is way too long to wait for unemployment benefits, especially when you're facing car repossession. I had a similar experience last year where my claim was stuck for 2+ months. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1. I found my local assembly member's office was incredibly helpful - they have a direct line to DOL and can often get answers within a few days 2. The UI-640 hardship form that someone mentioned is crucial - make sure to include documentation about your car repossession threat 3. I also had success calling right at 8am when they open, but instead of the main line, try 888-209-8124 One thing that might be happening is your claim could be stuck in "adjudication" - which means they're reviewing something but haven't told you what. Sometimes it's as simple as needing to verify your last employer or work dates. Don't give up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease with NYSDOL unfortunately. Keep calling, keep emailing, and definitely pursue that assembly member contact. Your benefits are there waiting for you - it's just a matter of getting the right person to push your claim through. Hang in there!

Just wanted to add that you should register ASAP because some people have had their claims held up for not completing the work registration requirement on time. Better safe than sorry with NYS Department of Labor - they're pretty strict about following all the rules.

I went through this process a few months ago and want to add that the work registration on jobs.labor.ny.gov also requires you to upload a resume. Make sure your resume is in a common format like PDF or Word doc - I had issues with other formats being rejected. Also, once you're registered, you can actually use job applications through their portal as part of your required 3 weekly job search activities, so it does serve a dual purpose. The key is doing it within that first week like Rachel mentioned - NYS Department of Labor is really strict about the timeline.