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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 :)
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I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I've been hesitant about ID.me for weeks because I'm really uncomfortable with biometric data collection. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful - it's good to know there are actually alternatives even if they're not well-publicized. I think I'm going to try calling and requesting the "alternative identity verification accommodation process" like others mentioned. Even if it takes longer, having control over my personal data feels worth the wait. Has anyone who went the paper route had any issues with their documents getting lost in the mail? I'm thinking of sending everything certified mail with return receipt just to be safe.
Aisha Khan
•I definitely recommend sending everything certified mail with return receipt! I did the paper verification back in February and was so nervous about documents getting lost. The certified mail gave me peace of mind - you get tracking and proof of delivery. Also make sure to keep copies of everything you send, including the completed DOL-X740 form. One tip: when you call to request the form, ask the agent for the exact mailing address because there are apparently different processing centers and using the wrong one can cause delays. Good luck with your decision - it's frustrating that we have to choose between privacy and timely benefits, but at least the option exists!
Luca Russo
I just went through this same process last week! After reading all the advice here, I called using the phrase "alternative identity verification accommodation process" and got through to an agent who was really helpful. She explained that while the paper route takes 4-6 weeks longer, it's completely legitimate and they process these requests regularly. One thing I learned that might help others - the agent told me that if you're currently unemployed and need benefits urgently, you can actually start the paper verification process AND still use ID.me later if you change your mind. The paper application doesn't lock you out of the online option. She said some people start with paper for peace of mind, then switch to ID.me if their financial situation becomes too tight to wait. I ended up going with the paper route and sent everything certified mail yesterday. The waiting is hard, but I feel much better about protecting my biometric data. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread was incredibly helpful!
That's such a relief to know you can switch methods later! I've been stressing about this decision for weeks. When the agent explained the paper process to you, did they mention anything about what happens if there's an issue with your mailed documents? Like if they need additional verification or if something is unclear - do they contact you by phone or mail? I'm worried about sending everything in and then having it sit in limbo if there's a small problem that could be easily resolved with a quick phone call.
That's great information about being able to switch methods later! The agent I spoke with mentioned that current paper processing times are running closer to 5-7 weeks due to increased volume - apparently more people are choosing the paper route now that word is getting out about it. She also said they'll contact you by phone first if there are any issues with your documents, and they'll give you a chance to mail in corrections or additional documents before rejecting the application. They only send rejection letters by mail if they can't reach you by phone after multiple attempts. Definitely make sure your phone number is current when you submit everything!
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Jacinda Yu
I was getting frustrated trying to reach NYS Department of Labor to ask about my benefit calculation and someone recommended claimyr.com - they actually got me through to a real person who explained exactly how my benefits were calculated. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
How much does that service cost? I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim status.
Jacinda Yu
•It was worth it for me since I couldn't get through any other way. They focus on helping you reach the right department instead of dealing with the automated system.
The whole system is ridiculous. $504 maximum when rent alone costs more than that in most of the state. NYS Department of Labor hasn't increased benefits to keep up with cost of living AT ALL
Ally Tailer
•totally agree, my rent is $1800 and $504 doesn't even cover a third of that
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I'm in the exact same boat as you @Natalie Wang - benefits stopped in early October and I'm owed about $4,200 now. This thread has been a lifesaver! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through on the regular unemployment line for months with absolutely zero success. Based on everything I'm reading here, it sounds like there are actually several approaches that work way better than the standard phone number: 1. Contact your state assembly rep or senator - seems like this has the highest success rate based on @Emily Parker and @Ezra Collins experiences 2. Use Claimyr to get connected to an actual agent - tons of people here swear by this service 3. Governor's office constituent services - mixed results but @Noah Torres got quick results this way 4. Certified letter to DOL commissioner - interesting backup option from @Kaylee Cook I'm going to try the assembly rep route first thing tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't move quickly I'll definitely use Claimyr. The fact that so many people here have actually gotten their benefits restored gives me hope that we're not just stuck forever in this broken system. Don't give up! It sounds like persistence with the right approach actually works. I'll update this thread with my results. Hang in there! 💪
Serene Snow
•Thank you so much @Amelia Martinez! This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea there were so many different ways to actually get help beyond that useless main phone line. I'm definitely going to start with my assembly rep first thing tomorrow too - the success stories from @Emily Parker and others are really encouraging. It s'frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops, but at least now I feel like I have a real action plan instead of just calling the same number over and over. I ll'try the assembly rep route first, then Claimyr if needed. Really appreciate everyone sharing what worked for them - gives me hope that I can finally get my $4,320 in back pay! Will definitely update everyone on my progress.
I've been dealing with this exact same issue - my benefits stopped in September and I'm owed over $3,500 in back pay. After reading through all these responses, I'm feeling more hopeful than I have in months! The regular unemployment phone line has been completely useless for me too - I've called probably 75+ times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm going to try a systematic approach: First, I'll contact my state assembly rep tomorrow morning since @Emily Parker and @Ezra Collins had such quick success with that route. If that doesn't show progress within a week, I'll definitely try Claimyr since so many people here are vouching for it. The certified letter to the DOL commissioner is also a smart backup plan. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become unemployment claim investigators just to get benefits we're legally entitled to, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share what actually works. The system is clearly broken, but at least there are ways around it if you know the right approach. Thanks to everyone for sharing your real experiences and not just generic advice. It gives me hope that there's light at the end of this tunnel! I'll definitely update this thread with my results.
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NebulaNomad
Reading through this entire thread has been so eye-opening! I've been on unemployment for about 3 months now and have been terrified of making a mistake like this. The fact that so many people have accidentally clicked the wrong button really shows how poorly designed the certification interface is. What strikes me most is how helpful this community has been compared to the official NYSDOL resources - you all provided more useful information in one thread than I've found anywhere on their website! I'm definitely going to start using the checklist method that @Mason Stone mentioned and keep this thread bookmarked in case I ever need it. It's also really encouraging to see that the actual agents are understanding and helpful once you get through to them. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Anastasia Romanov for following up with the resolution!
This thread really is incredible! As someone who just started collecting unemployment last month, I've been so paranoid about making mistakes during certification. The interface really is confusing - even when you're being careful, those yes/no questions can be tricky to interpret when you're stressed. It's amazing how much more helpful real user experiences are compared to official documentation. I'm definitely implementing the checklist strategy and bookmarking this thread. It's such a relief to know that if I do mess up, it's fixable and the agents are understanding. Really grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate these systems!
Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to the unemployment system and honestly had no idea that certification errors like this could happen or how to fix them. Reading everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and educational. It's pretty shocking that in 2025 there's still no way to edit your answers after submission - like others mentioned, even basic shopping sites have better error prevention! I'm definitely going to use the checklist method and take my time with each question. It's also great to know that mid-morning seems to be the best time to call if issues arise. Thank you all for creating such a supportive thread with actual practical advice - this is way more useful than anything I've found on official government sites!
Amina Sy
•Welcome to the unemployment system! I totally understand how overwhelming it can feel at first. This thread has been such a lifesaver for me too - it's crazy how much we have to rely on each other instead of having clear official guidance. The checklist idea really is brilliant, and I'd also suggest reading each question twice before answering, especially when you're tired or stressed. One thing I learned from my own experience is to never rush the certification process even if you're running late for something else. It's better to be a few minutes late to work than to spend days trying to fix a mistake! Hope your unemployment journey goes smoothly and you never need to use the advice in this thread, but it's definitely good to have it bookmarked just in case.
Ethan Moore
One thing to watch out for - make sure you're classifying workers correctly as employees vs contractors. I got audited by NYS Department of Labor because they thought I was misclassifying people to avoid paying unemployment taxes. Cost me way more in penalties than I would have paid in the first place. When in doubt, classify them as employees.
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Sasha Reese
•This is such an important point! The worker classification rules in NY are pretty strict. I learned the hard way that even if someone seems like an independent contractor, if you control how and when they do the work, they're probably an employee for unemployment tax purposes. The ABC test they use is really tough to pass.
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Natalie Adams
@Sean Kelly - definitely get familiar with the NYS Department of Labor's online portal early. You'll need to file form NYS-45 quarterly even if you have zero employees that quarter (just file zeros). Also worth noting that if you're seasonal or have irregular staffing, you can request to pay estimated taxes monthly instead of getting hit with a big quarterly bill. The DOL is pretty accommodating if you communicate with them proactively rather than waiting until you're behind on payments.
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