Had similar issues reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor about certification questions. Kept getting busy signals and when I did get through, got disconnected twice. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Ended up getting my questions answered about able and available requirements and work search documentation.

BE VERY CAREFUL with those certification questions!!! I answered one wrong about being available and they flagged my entire claim for review. Took 6 weeks to sort out and I almost lost benefits. The system is designed to trip you up I swear.

I went through almost the exact same thing back in October! They called during my lunch break and I was in a meeting, so I missed it by literally 2 minutes. When I called back the same day, nobody answered and then my benefits just vanished. It's like they set us up to fail on purpose. The number you're looking for is definitely 835-905-5682 - I can confirm that's the missed interview reinstatement line because I had to call it about 30 times before getting through. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. Call RIGHT at 8:00 AM when they open - not 8:01, not 8:05. Set multiple alarms. 2. If you get the busy signal, hang up and redial immediately. Don't wait. 3. When someone answers, immediately say "I need to speak with a tier 2 specialist about reinstating benefits after a missed interview" - the tier 1 people can't actually help you. 4. Have your claim number, SSN, and that form you filled out ready to reference. Also try sending a secure message through your online account explaining the situation while you're calling. Sometimes that creates a paper trail that helps when you finally get through to someone. The whole system is absolutely maddening, but don't give up! It took me 3 weeks of daily calling but I eventually got all my back payments. You've got this!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add one more tip that worked for me - if you have access to multiple phones (like a cell phone and a landline, or can borrow someone else's phone), try calling from different numbers simultaneously right when they open. Sometimes one line gets through faster than others. I also found that calling from a landline seemed to have slightly better success rates, though that might just be coincidence. The 835-905-5682 number seems to be the consensus here and matches what I have from my own paperwork. One thing to keep in mind - when you do get through, they might try to transfer you to someone else who can "better help" with your specific situation. DO NOT let them transfer you unless they guarantee you won't get disconnected. I made that mistake once and got hung up on after waiting 2 hours to get through initially. Also, if you're still struggling after a week of calls, consider reaching out to local news stations that cover consumer issues. Sometimes the threat of media attention gets cases resolved faster than anything else. The system is broken but you're definitely not alone in dealing with this nightmare!

UPDATE: I FINALLY got through!!! I tried the Claimyr service after struggling for days more, and I was connected to an agent within 45 minutes. The verification was actually really quick once I got someone on the phone - just had to confirm some employment details and explain why I left my last job. They told me my claim had been flagged because my employer didn't respond to their initial verification request (typical). My claim is now fully processed and I should receive payments within 3 business days. Such a relief! Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!

Wow, thank you for updating us with your success story! I'm still in the middle of this nightmare myself - been trying for over a week now. Hearing that Claimyr actually worked for you gives me hope. I was hesitant about using a third-party service, but at this point I'm willing to try anything. The fact that your employer didn't respond to their verification request is infuriating - why do WE have to jump through hoops because THEY can't be bothered to respond? Anyway, so happy you got it resolved and will definitely be trying Claimyr tomorrow!

If you're struggling to reach NYS Department of Labor for questions about your earnings calculation, I found claimyr.com really helpful. They can get you through to an actual agent who can review your work history and explain if you meet the 3x WBA requirement. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than trying to call the regular number and getting hung up on.

Pro tip: if you're close to the 3x WBA threshold, make sure NYS Department of Labor has all your wage information. Sometimes employers report wages late or there are data entry errors. You can request a wage transcript to verify everything is correct before assuming you don't qualify.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS! They ask for pay stubs then half the time they can't even process them correctly. I submitted 6 pay stubs and they still put my claim in adjudication for 'wage verification' issues. Been waiting 5 weeks now with no answers!

From my experience filing in NYS, you'll definitely want to have your most recent 4-6 pay stubs ready, but also keep any documentation from previous employers within the past 18 months just in case. The system calculates your benefit based on your highest earning quarter during that base period, so having comprehensive records helps avoid delays. I'd also recommend scanning everything and keeping digital copies since the online portal can be finicky with uploads sometimes. Don't stress too much about having the exact number - they'll tell you if they need additional documentation during the review process.