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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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I'm in a similar situation and have been trying to call the NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about benefit amounts but can never get through! The phone lines are always busy and when I do get in the queue I get disconnected. Has anyone found a better way to reach them? This is so frustrating when you're trying to plan your finances.
I had the same problem trying to reach NYS Department of Labor agents until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually get you connected to the unemployment office without having to wait on hold forever. I used it last month and got through to an agent in like 10 minutes. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck trying to get answers about your claim.
just a heads up the weekly amounts change every year so make sure youre looking at 2025 rates not old info. also in nyc the cost of living is crazy so even the max barely covers rent but its better than nothing i guess
@Isabel Vega so true about NYC rent! I m'paying $2800 for a 1BR in Brooklyn so even max benefits would only cover like half. Did you find any other assistance programs that helped bridge the gap? I m'wondering if there are emergency rental assistance programs still available or food assistance I should look into while I m'between jobs.
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I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim about 10 days ago and the waiting is killing me! One thing that's helped me stay somewhat sane is checking the NY Department of Labor website regularly for any updates on processing times or system issues. Sometimes they post notices about delays or maintenance that can explain why things are taking longer. Also, make sure you save copies of everything - your confirmation numbers, weekly certification receipts, any correspondence. I learned this tip from a friend who had to resubmit some stuff later because the system glitched. The uncertainty is the worst part but from what I'm reading here it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty normal for straightforward cases. We just have to hang in there!
That's great advice about saving copies of everything! I didn't think about the system potentially glitching and needing to resubmit documents. I've been screenshotting my weekly certifications just in case, but I should probably be more thorough about keeping records. The tip about checking the DOL website for processing updates is really smart too - I've just been obsessively checking my account status but haven't looked at their general announcements. It's definitely reassuring to know there are others going through the exact same timeline. This waiting period is so stressful but hearing everyone's experiences makes me feel like I'm on the right track at least!
I'm in week 2 of waiting after filing my claim and this thread is so helpful! I had no idea about the waiting week or that you should keep certifying even before getting approved. One thing I wanted to add - if you're really struggling with bills while waiting, check if your local social services office has emergency assistance programs. Some counties in NY have short-term help for rent/utilities while you're waiting for unemployment to kick in. Also, I've been keeping a little notebook tracking when I file my weekly claims and any confirmation numbers, which has helped me feel more organized during this stressful time. The uncertainty is brutal but it sounds like most people do eventually get through the process!
That's such a good point about emergency assistance programs - I hadn't even thought to look into that! I'm also in week 2 of waiting and the stress about bills is real. The notebook idea is brilliant too, I've been trying to keep track of everything in my head which is probably not the best system. Do you happen to know how to find out which counties have those emergency programs? I'm in Nassau County and could really use some help with my electric bill while I wait for unemployment to process. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's so reassuring to know others are in the same timeline!
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Wait can someone clarify - do you still have to do the weekly claims online even if you apply by phone? Or can you do those by phone too? I'm so confused about this whole process.
Good question! You can file your weekly claims by phone too. Same number - 1-888-209-8124. But most people find the online weekly claims much faster once they get the hang of it.
Hey Andre! I just went through this exact situation a few months ago when my computer died right after I got laid off. The phone application definitely works, but here's what I wish someone had told me: call RIGHT when they open at 8 AM for the best chance of getting through. I also recommend having a notepad ready because they'll ask for specific dates and wage information that you might not remember off the top of your head. The agent I spoke with was really patient and helpful, so don't worry about not being tech-savvy - they're used to walking people through everything step by step. Good luck!
Thanks for the detailed advice! That's super helpful about calling right at 8 AM - I was planning to call in the afternoon but sounds like mornings are way better. Quick question - when you say specific dates and wage information, do you mean like exact start/end dates for each job? I have my W-2s but not sure if I have all the exact dates memorized.
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Just joining this thread as someone who's been battling the same issue all morning! Been trying to certify since 5am and kept getting that frustrating "systems currently not available" error. I'm relatively new to NY unemployment after moving here from Pennsylvania, and honestly had no idea Monday mornings were this much of a disaster zone! Finally got through about 30 minutes ago using the cellular data + incognito mode trick that so many of you have mentioned. Had to turn off WiFi completely, clear my browser cache, use Chrome's incognito window, and wait about 45 seconds between each attempt. Took me 7 tries but persistence paid off! It's honestly mind-boggling that in 2025 we need these elaborate workarounds just to access basic government services. Coming from PA where their system had occasional hiccups but nothing like this weekly Monday meltdown, this has been quite the learning curve. Really grateful for this community sharing all these solutions though - you all literally helped me avoid a financial crisis this week. Definitely saving this entire thread as my "Monday Morning NY Unemployment Survival Guide" because it's clear this is going to be a regular battle! Thanks everyone for the solidarity and practical help 🙏
Welcome to NY from PA! I'm also pretty new to this system and it's been such a shock coming from a state where things actually worked most of the time 😅 So glad the cellular + incognito trick worked for you after 7 tries - that persistence really paid off! I just got through myself using the same method after reading all these helpful tips. It's absolutely crazy that we need to become IT troubleshooters just to file for basic benefits, but this community sharing solutions has been amazing. I'm definitely bookmarking this whole thread too as my "Monday Morning Survival Kit" because it's clear we're all going to need these workarounds again next week. Thanks for sharing your detailed experience - it helps knowing we're all in this together figuring out how to navigate this broken system! 🤞
Just wanted to jump in and share my experience as someone who's been dealing with this exact same nightmare all morning! I started trying to certify at 6am and kept hitting that dreaded "systems currently not available" error message over and over. I'm pretty new to NY unemployment after relocating here from Colorado, and I had absolutely no idea that Monday morning crashes were basically a weekly tradition here - what a rude awakening! After reading through all the incredibly helpful tips in this thread, I finally managed to get through about an hour ago using the cellular data + incognito mode combo that so many people have mentioned. The key was completely turning off my WiFi (not just disconnecting), clearing my browser cache, opening Chrome in incognito mode, and then waiting about 30-45 seconds between each attempt when I got the error message. It took me 5 tries but I finally got my certification submitted! It's absolutely mind-blowing that in 2025 we need to become amateur IT specialists just to access basic government services that we're legally entitled to. Coming from Colorado where their system had occasional glitches but nothing like this systematic Monday meltdown, this has been quite the learning experience. But honestly, this community sharing real solutions has been incredible - you all literally helped me avoid missing rent this week. I'm definitely bookmarking this entire thread as my "NY Unemployment Monday Morning Survival Guide" because it's crystal clear this is going to be a recurring battle. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share what worked for them - the solidarity here is amazing and we're all just trying to keep our heads above water! 🙏
Lucas Parker
I'm dealing with this exact situation right now - single parent with unemployment benefits trying to make it work. One resource I stumbled upon that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) through your local food bank. It's different from SNAP and you can qualify even if you're already getting food stamps. Also, if you haven't already, check with your local library - many have programs that provide free meals for kids during school breaks and some even have "lending libraries" for things like winter coats and school supplies. The librarians are usually really knowledgeable about local assistance programs too. It's frustrating that NY doesn't help with dependents like some other states, but at least there are these other safety nets if you know where to look.
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Yara Nassar
•This is such valuable information, thank you! I had no idea about TEFAP being separate from SNAP - that could really help stretch our grocery budget. And I never would have thought to ask the library about assistance programs, but that makes total sense since they're so connected to the community. I'm going to call my local branch tomorrow to see what they know about resources in my area. It's honestly been overwhelming trying to figure out what's available while also job searching, but posts like this make me feel like there are more options than I realized. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what you've learned!
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Kiara Greene
I'm currently on unemployment with two kids and can confirm what others have said - NY doesn't provide any dependent allowances unfortunately. But I wanted to add that if you're struggling to make ends meet, check if your local community college has a food pantry. Many of them are open to community members, not just students. Also, churches and community centers often run free meal programs even if you're not a member. One thing that really helped me was connecting with other parents in similar situations through local Facebook groups - they often share information about temporary assistance programs and even organize informal food swaps. The lack of dependent benefits in NY is definitely a hardship, but there are people and organizations willing to help if you reach out.
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Oliver Schmidt
•This is such helpful advice about the community college food pantries and local Facebook groups! I never thought about reaching out to community colleges - that's a great tip. I've been feeling pretty isolated going through this whole unemployment situation, so connecting with other parents in the same boat sounds really valuable, both for practical resources and just for the support. It's good to know there are people who understand what it's like trying to stretch every dollar when you have kids depending on you. I'm going to look for some of those local parent groups on Facebook tonight. Thanks for sharing your experience and reminding us that there are people willing to help!
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