Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live NYDOL agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the NYDOL
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the NYDOL drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
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!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
As someone who just went through this exact same nightmare last month, I feel your pain! One thing that finally worked for me was using the online chat feature on the NY.gov website during off-peak hours (like 11pm-1am). I know it sounds crazy, but they have overnight support staff and way fewer people are trying to chat at that time. When the chat agents can't help directly, they can sometimes schedule you for a priority callback the next business day. Also, if you're on social media, try reaching out to @nyslabor on Twitter with your case details - they've been pretty responsive to public complaints lately and can sometimes escalate urgent cases. Hope this helps and hang in there!
This is brilliant advice! I had no idea there was overnight chat support - that's such a smart workaround when the phone lines are impossible. The Twitter tip is really clever too, public pressure on social media definitely gets companies to respond faster. I'm bookmarking this thread because there are so many helpful strategies here that I never would have thought of on my own. It's incredible how the community comes together to help each other navigate these frustrating government systems. Thank you for sharing what worked for you!
Just want to add my voice to say THANK YOU to everyone in this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same issue for the past month - pending claim, can't get through on the phone, rent coming due. Reading through all these suggestions has given me so much hope and actual actionable strategies to try. The fact that Emma got through and resolved her wage verification issue gives me confidence that there really is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm going to try the Thursday afternoon timing, the 1-1-2 menu path, and maybe even that overnight chat feature. It's incredible how much knowledge this community has collectively gathered about navigating this broken system. You've all probably saved dozens of people weeks of frustration with these tips!
@Jackson I'm so glad this thread is helping you too! It's really amazing how much collective wisdom everyone has shared here. I was in your exact situation just a few weeks ago - that feeling of desperation when rent is due and you can't get through to anyone is just awful. The Thursday afternoon timing really seems to be the key, along with being persistent with that callback redial trick someone mentioned. Also don't forget to have all your documentation ready before you call - SSN, claim number, employer info, etc. The agents can work much faster when you have everything at hand. Wishing you the best of luck getting through! We're all rooting for each other in this community.
Join the conversation
Adding to this conversation as someone who's been through multiple government shutdown scares - it's worth noting that while your regular UI benefits are protected, some related services might experience delays. For example, if you need to appeal a determination or request a hearing, those processes might slow down if they involve coordination with federal agencies. Also, if you're receiving any federally-funded extended benefits (like PEUC when it was active), those could potentially be affected differently than regular state UI. But for basic weekly claims and standard unemployment insurance, you should be completely fine to continue certifying and receiving payments as normal.
This is such valuable insight about the difference between regular UI and extended federal benefits! I hadn't considered that appeals or hearings might face delays due to federal coordination requirements. It's reassuring to know that the core weekly certification process stays intact, but good to be aware of these potential secondary impacts. Your point about federally-funded extended benefits is especially important - I remember when PEUC was ending, there was so much confusion about which programs were state vs federal. Thanks for breaking this down so clearly!
This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who just started receiving UI benefits, I was definitely in panic mode about potential shutdowns. The distinction between state and federal programs makes so much sense now. I'm going to take everyone's advice about filing early on Sunday mornings and keeping documentation of my claims. One question though - if there ever were technical issues with the my.ny.gov system during a shutdown period (even though it's state-run), is there a backup way to certify for benefits? Or would we just have to wait for the system to come back online?
Great question about backup certification methods! From what I understand, if the online system goes down for any reason, you can still certify by phone using the Tele-Cert system. The number should be on your benefit determination letter or you can find it on the DOL website. I've never had to use it myself, but I've heard it's available 24/7 and walks you through the same weekly certification questions. You might also be able to certify in person at local career centers, though I'm not 100% sure about that option. The key thing is to keep trying and document your attempts - the DOL is usually understanding about technical issues that are beyond your control.
Join the conversation
This whole system is designed to confuse people and make them mess up so they can deny benefits. I swear they make these questions deliberately vague. I've been dealing with unemployment for 6 months and still second-guess myself every week. The 'suitable work' thing is especially ridiculous - they expect you to take any minimum wage job even if you're a skilled professional.
I feel you on that. But honestly most of my weekly certifications have gone through fine when I just answer honestly. The system isn't perfect but it's not trying to trick you either.
@TommyKapitz Don't stress too much about it! I was in the same boat when I first started filing. The most important thing is being honest and accurate. For your freelance income, yes report the full $90 gross amount. Keep records of everything - your freelance work, job applications, any work offers you receive or decline. I found it helpful to screenshot my weekly certification before submitting it, just so I have a record of what I reported. And if you're ever really unsure about something specific to your situation, try calling the DOL early in the morning (like right when they open) - you'll have better luck getting through than during peak hours.
Join the conversation
I've been on NY unemployment for about 2 months and can definitely relate to this timing confusion! The Friday to Monday/Tuesday wait is absolutely standard - I learned this the hard way my first week when I was counting on Saturday money that never came. One thing that's helped me manage the weekend gaps is setting up automatic transfers. As soon as my Monday unemployment payment hits, I immediately move $50-75 to a separate "weekend fund" account that I don't touch until the following Friday. It's like forcing myself to save for that inevitable 3-day wait period. Also discovered that some gas stations will let you pump first and pay later if you explain you're waiting for unemployment to process and show them your certification confirmation. Obviously not something to abuse, but it's helped me get to job interviews a couple times when I was completely tapped out over the weekend. The system definitely has a learning curve, but after 2 months I'm finally getting into a rhythm where I don't panic every Friday afternoon! You'll figure out your own strategies once you get a few cycles under your belt.
The automatic transfer idea is really smart! I'm definitely going to set up something similar once I get my first payment. That $50-75 weekend buffer would eliminate so much of the anxiety about making it through those Friday-to-Monday gaps. It's like creating your own mini emergency fund that replenishes every week. The gas station tip is interesting too - I wouldn't have thought to ask about that, but it makes sense that some local businesses might be understanding about unemployment timing, especially if you can show your certification proof. Good to know for genuine emergencies. Thanks for sharing your 2-month experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who's just a bit ahead of me in figuring out this system. The fact that you're already getting into a rhythm after just 8 weeks gives me hope that I'll stop stressing about every payment cycle soon too.
I've been on NY unemployment for about 11 months now and can confirm everything everyone is saying - Friday certification absolutely means waiting until Monday/Tuesday for payment, no exceptions. After almost a year of this cycle, I can share a few strategies that have really helped me manage the timing. First, I set up what I call a "payment day routine" - every Monday when my unemployment hits, I immediately do three things: 1) pay any bills due that week, 2) withdraw cash for the upcoming weekend, and 3) buy non-perishable groceries. This routine ensures I'm never scrambling on Friday wondering if I have enough to last until Monday. Also wanted to mention that some credit unions offer "courtesy pay" programs specifically for members receiving unemployment. Mine covers up to $100 in overdrafts fee-free as long as I bring the account positive within 3 business days. Not all banks offer this, but it's worth asking about since unemployment timing is so predictable. One last tip - I keep a simple note in my phone with the dates of all upcoming bank holidays. Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc. will push your payment to Tuesday instead of Monday, and knowing that in advance prevents a lot of weekend stress! The first few months are definitely the hardest while you're learning the rhythm, but I promise it becomes totally automatic. You'll barely think about it once you develop your own system!
Jay Lincoln
I'm going through the same situation right now! Just switched from my regular bank to PayPal for unemployment deposits and it's been 2 days past my usual deposit time. Reading through these comments is really reassuring - sounds like the first payment after switching always takes longer. Has anyone noticed if PayPal sends notifications when the deposit hits, or do you just have to keep checking your balance?
0 coins
Javier Hernandez
•PayPal does send push notifications when deposits hit if you have them enabled in the app! I get a notification that says something like "You received $XXX from NY STATE LABOR" and it shows up immediately in my activity feed. You can also set up email notifications in your PayPal settings if you prefer that. Much easier than constantly checking your balance - I learned that the hard way during my first week after switching!
0 coins
Leslie Parker
Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be switching - I went from Chase to PayPal about 6 months ago and had the same delay for the first payment (came Wednesday morning instead of my usual Monday). But now I actually prefer PayPal because I can instantly transfer to my bank account if needed, whereas with Chase I had to wait for business hours. The PayPal mobile app also makes it super easy to track when deposits hit. Don't panic if your first payment is late - it'll normalize after that!
0 coins
Keisha Jackson
•That's a great point about the instant transfer feature! I didn't even think about that benefit when I switched. Being able to move the money to my bank account right away could actually be really convenient. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's good to know there are some advantages to PayPal beyond just keeping the funds separate.
0 coins