I'm in the exact same boat! My payments stopped about 2 weeks ago with no explanation and I've been calling nonstop. The automated system just hangs up on me every single time. I've tried the 888-209-8124 number at all different hours and it's like they don't want us to get through. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like contacting my assemblyperson might be the way to go. I'm also curious about this Claimyr service everyone's mentioning - has anyone actually used it recently? I'm getting desperate because my car payment is due next week and I have no idea when this will get resolved. The NY unemployment system is absolutely broken.

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! My payments stopped about 10 days ago and I've called that main number probably 30+ times with no luck. The system just hangs up after the automated menu every single time. I tried the assemblyperson route that people mentioned here and actually got a response within 2 days - they're looking into it now. I also tried the Twitter DM approach to @NYSLabor and surprisingly they responded asking for my claim details (without SSN obviously). Still waiting to hear back but it's the most progress I've made. This thread has been so helpful - I had no idea there were all these alternative approaches. The Claimyr service sounds promising too, might give that a shot if the assemblyperson route doesn't pan out. Hang in there, sounds like persistence with multiple approaches is key!

Just to add - make sure you're filing every single week even if you worked or earned money. A lot of people think they skip weeks when they work but you still need to report it to NYS Department of Labor or you can lose your claim entirely.

Pro tip: if you're worried about missing the deadline, you can also set up a reminder on your phone for Saturday evenings. I do this every week and it's saved me from the Sunday night panic more than once. The system also sends confirmation emails when you submit, so make sure to check for that to know it went through properly.

ny unemployment is literally the worst. took me 6 months to find work when my benefits ran out had to move back in w my parents 😭

@Summer Green hang in there! I was in the exact same spot last year - hit that 26 week wall and panicked. Since NY doesn't have extensions right now, here's what helped me survive: 1. Apply for emergency assistance programs (HEAP for utilities, SNAP for food) 2. Check out your local food pantries - no shame in getting help 3. Look into gig work (DoorDash, Uber, TaskRabbit) for immediate income 4. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local resources and assistance programs Also definitely check out those workforce development programs @Rita Jacobs mentioned. I did a 6-week digital marketing course through Workforce1 that landed me my current job. They even help with interview prep and networking. The job market is brutal but you've already shown persistence by applying to 100+ jobs. Something WILL break through. Keep your head up! 💪

Keep doing your weekly claims even if you haven't been approved yet! That's super important or you could lose benefits for those weeks. I made that mistake thinking I'd wait until approved and lost 3 weeks of payments.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in late November and still waiting. The lack of communication is the worst part. I've been trying to get through to someone at DOL for weeks but like everyone else here, just get busy signals or disconnected after hours on hold. It's really helpful to know I'm not alone in this, though I wish none of us had to deal with these delays. Hang in there, and definitely keep doing those weekly certifications like others mentioned. Hopefully we'll all get through this backlog soon.

just keep filing ur weekly claims thats the main thing, even if its on hold you gotta keep certifying or youll lose weeks

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - claim has been on hold for 3 weeks with just "adjudication in progress" showing. What's really frustrating is that they don't give you any indication of what they're even reviewing or how much longer it might take. I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities and filing my weekly claims like everyone suggests, but it's nerve-wracking not knowing when (or if) the money will come through. Has anyone had luck contacting their local unemployment office directly instead of the main state line? Wondering if that might be easier to get through to.