If you're having trouble getting through to the NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about job market conditions or your claim status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines to discuss my job search requirements.

Economics is weird but basically full employment is when everyone who wants a job can find one relatively quickly. The actual percentage changes over time but it's usually considered somewhere between 4-5%. During the 2008 recession unemployment hit like 10% which was way above full employment.

honestly the whole system is broken anyway. whether its AI or corporate greed or whatever, working people always get screwed. at least unemployment benefits exist i guess but they dont pay enough to live on

UPDATE: Just had a meeting with my supervisor and they're actually planning to retrain our whole department to work alongside the AI instead of replacing us. Still nervous but feeling a bit better about the situation. Thanks everyone for the advice about unemployment eligibility - at least I know I have options if things don't work out.

I had something similar happen in 2025. Beyond what others have suggested, I recommend contacting these three agencies: 1. Federal Trade Commission - file an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov 2. Social Security Administration - alert them your SSN may be compromised 3. IRS - submit Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) Also, keep detailed records of EVERY communication including dates, names of representatives, and case numbers. When I finally got through to NYSDOL, they required evidence of when I first discovered the fraud. Unfortunately, this will take time to resolve - potentially 2-3 months - but being proactive now will save you significant headaches during tax season when you might receive a 1099-G for benefits you never claimed.

Update??? Did you get this fixed??

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get answers about your specific situation, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get clarity on my eligibility questions.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify, there's usually a waiting week before benefits start. So don't panic if you don't see payments right away after filing. Also, make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates of employment, employer addresses, reason for separation, etc. NYS Department of Labor will need this for each job you've had in the past 18 months. The online application saves your progress so you can come back to it if you need to gather documents.

For immediate help, also try contacting your state assemblyperson's office. They often have staff who can make inquiries with NYS Department of Labor on your behalf. It's another avenue to solve unemployment problem when normal channels aren't working. Many people don't realize elected officials' offices can intervene in these situations.

I went through something similar last year and what finally helped me solve unemployment problem was filing a formal complaint with the NYS Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations. You can do this online through their website - just search for "file a complaint NYSDOL" and you'll find the form. I was stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks and within 3 days of filing the complaint, someone from their office called me directly and my claim was resolved within the week. It's like they have a separate fast-track system for complaints. Make sure to include all your documentation and be very specific about dates and what's been happening with your claim.