


Ask the community...
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!
I've tried calling but can never get through. Might have to try that claimyr thing someone mentioned above...
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my determination letter last week and just finished my waiting week. It's so nerve-wracking not knowing when that first payment will hit. From what I'm reading here, sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty normal, but some people are waiting way longer. I've been checking the NYSDOL website obsessively every day ๐ At least we're not alone in this waiting game!
Read this carefully because this is what you need to do: First, you'll need to wait for your monetary determination letter which comes with your PIN. This usually takes 2-3 weeks but can vary. While waiting: - Keep checking your mail daily - Document all your work search activities (minimum 3 per week) - Once you get your PIN, you can start certifying - Best time to certify is Sunday morning - If you need to speak with someone, use claimyr.com to get through - Keep ALL documentation If you don't hear anything after 3 weeks, definitely try calling. The regular phone lines are usually jammed but claimyr.com can help get through. Don't stress too much - everyone goes through this confusion at first! ๐ฏ
saving this comment for later fr fr
Just went through this same process last month! Few things to add to what others have said: 1. The "3 work search activities per week" requirement is legit - keep a log with dates, company names, and how you applied. They can ask for this info later. 2. If you're doing gig work or freelancing while unemployed, make sure to report ALL income when you certify - even like $20 from a small job. They'll find out eventually and it's better to be upfront. 3. Your first payment might take an extra week after you start certifying, so don't panic if it doesn't hit your account right away. 4. Download the NY DOL mobile app too - sometimes it's faster than the website for checking claim status. Good luck! The waiting is the worst part but once you're in the system it gets easier ๐ค
UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone still following this thread, here's what worked: I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended above, and within an hour I was talking to a claim specialist. They got all my issues sorted out, and I should be receiving my delayed payment within 3 business days. Thank you to everyone for your suggestions - this has been so stressful, and I appreciate all the help!
thx for the update! i might try that 2 if i dont get thru tomorrow. the whole system is such a mess ๐
Glad you got your issue resolved! For future reference, if you ever face similar issues, remember that documentation is key - noting dates of calls, correspondence, and any confirmation numbers will help if there are further delays. Hopefully your payments come through as promised!
Wow, reading through this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - been trying to reach them for over a week now with no luck. The system just hangs up immediately every time I call. It's really reassuring to know I'm not alone in this struggle, and I'm definitely going to try some of the strategies mentioned here. The timing tips, alternate number, and even the career center visit idea all sound promising. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with such a frustrating system!
@Kyle Wallace totally agree - this thread has been a goldmine of info! I was feeling so isolated dealing with this phone system nightmare until I found this discussion. It s'crazy how broken the system is right now. I d'definitely recommend trying the early morning calling strategy first since it s'free, and if that doesn t'work after a few days, maybe consider the Claimyr service that helped Omar get through. The fact that they re'short-staffed AND had a system update in March explains so much about why this is such a mess right now. Good luck getting through!
Yuki Nakamura
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I work at a local library and we get so many people coming in asking for help with unemployment issues just like this. I'm definitely going to save this information to share with patrons who are struggling with the same problems. The ID.me verification step seems to trip up a lot of people - we've had several folks come in frustrated because they couldn't figure out why their documents wouldn't upload. It's great to see the community coming together to share these solutions. I might even print out a simple guide based on this thread to keep at our reference desk since this seems to be such a common issue. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping each other navigate this complicated system!
0 coins
Ava Thompson
โขThat's such a wonderful service you're providing at the library! Public libraries are often the unsung heroes for people dealing with digital bureaucracy like this. Having a printed guide would be amazing - so many people don't have reliable internet at home or aren't comfortable navigating these complex online systems. You could maybe include the step-by-step ID.me process, the best calling times people have mentioned, and even some of the error messages to watch out for. Libraries filling this gap between government services and the people who need them most is exactly what community support should look like!
0 coins
Yuki Yamamoto
This is such a valuable thread! I've been helping my elderly neighbor with her unemployment claim and we ran into the exact same ID.me verification roadblock. What's really frustrating is that the NY unemployment website doesn't clearly explain that this is a mandatory first step - we spent days trying to upload documents before realizing the ID.me verification was blocking everything. The error messages are so vague too. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm going to help her complete the ID.me process this weekend and hopefully that resolves it. If not, we'll definitely try that Claimyr service that several people have had success with. It's really sad that we need these workarounds, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these solutions. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help strangers navigate this broken system!
0 coins
Javier Morales
โขYou're so kind to help your neighbor with this! The ID.me verification really is the hidden step that trips everyone up. I think NY unemployment implemented it to reduce fraud but they did a terrible job explaining it to claimants. When I was helping my aunt last year, we also wasted so much time because the error messages just say "verification required" without explaining what kind of verification or where to do it. Definitely try the ID.me process first - that alone might solve everything. And if you do end up needing to call, I've found that having all the ID.me confirmation details ready (like the verification timestamp) can speed things up when you finally get through to an agent. Your neighbor is lucky to have someone patient enough to help navigate this maze!
0 coins