This whole thread is a goldmine of information! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while, I really appreciate how everyone jumped in to help Gabriel with specific phone numbers and strategies. The NY unemployment system is notorious for being impossible to reach, so having these direct contact methods saved in one place is incredibly valuable. Special shoutout to Eloise for providing all four cancellation options - that comprehensive list should be pinned somewhere! It's awesome to see the community come together like this to help each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares.

Just wanted to say this thread is incredibly helpful! I'm new to dealing with NY unemployment and was dreading the thought of ever having to navigate their phone system. Reading through all these tips and seeing the specific numbers that actually work gives me so much more confidence. The 518-402-0205 number for hearings and the UIABOfficialMailbox@labor.ny.gov email are going straight into my contacts. It's amazing how much time and frustration we can save each other by sharing this kind of practical information. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes these government bureaucracy battles more manageable!

also make sure you're filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is still pending! i made that mistake and it delayed everything even more

I just went through this same process last month! Here's what helped me: Once you're logged into my.ny.gov, look for the "Unemployment Services" section, then click on "UI Online Services." From there you should see options like "Claim Summary" and "Payment History" - that's where your status will show up. Mine showed "Pending - Adjudication" for about 2 weeks before it got approved. And yes, definitely start filing your weekly claims right away even while it's pending - you can't go back and claim those weeks later if you miss them. The whole process is frustrating but hang in there!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also consider applying for other assistance programs while waiting for your unemployment benefits to start. Things like SNAP (food stamps) and emergency rental assistance can help bridge the gap if your first payment is delayed. The NYC Human Resources Administration has emergency cash assistance too if you're in the city. I know it's not ideal, but it's better to have backup options than to stress about making rent. Also, if you're worried about the timeline, you could try reaching out to your landlord early to explain the situation - many are understanding about unemployment delays, especially if you've been a good tenant. Good luck with everything!

Just want to add my experience from last year - I was making around $52k when I got laid off and ended up getting $498 weekly in benefits. The calculation they use is pretty straightforward once you understand it, but like everyone said, the website makes it way more confusing than it needs to be. One thing that really helped me was setting up direct deposit right away during the application process. My first payment took about 2.5 weeks to arrive, but after that they came like clockwork every Tuesday. If you choose to get a debit card instead, I heard it can add a few extra days to each payment. Also, start looking for work immediately even while your claim is processing - not just because of the work search requirements, but because the job market moves fast and you don't want to get rusty. I ended up finding a new position after 8 weeks and actually felt more prepared for interviews because I had been actively networking the whole time. The unemployment benefits gave me the financial cushion to be selective and find something better than my previous job.

same here! been doing mostly online apps but wasn't sure if they were good enough

Online applications are definitely valid! I've been filing claims for 6 months now and the NYS Department of Labor accepts any legitimate job search activity. Besides online apps through Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc., you can also count things like: updating your resume on job sites, attending virtual job fairs, reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, or even informational interviews with people in your field. The key is documenting everything - I keep a spreadsheet with company name, position, date, and method of contact. As long as you're actively searching and can show 3 genuine attempts per week, you should be fine.

I just went through this exact same situation two months ago and it was absolutely maddening! Got a new phone, forgot to transfer Google Authenticator properly, and got completely locked out right before I needed to certify. Here's what finally worked after a week of trying everything: The 844-891-1786 number that everyone's mentioning is legit - that's the NY.GOV ID tech support line. But here's the trick: don't just call at 7:30am. I had better luck calling at 7:29am and staying on the line when they opened. Sometimes the queue fills up instantly at 7:30. When you do get through (and you will eventually), have EVERYTHING ready: full name, DOB, SSN, current address, phone number, email, when you first filed your claim, your weekly benefit amount, and if you have it, your claim confirmation number from your original approval letter. The reset process took about 35 minutes once I got connected. They'll walk you through setting up new MFA and make sure to get ALL the backup options - SMS backup to your phone, email backup, AND print out those recovery codes they give you. One thing nobody mentioned - if you're really desperate, some local libraries have computer help desks and librarians who are surprisingly good at navigating government websites. Mine helped me figure out which forms to fill out while I was waiting to get through on the phone. Don't give up! The system is broken but there are real people who can fix it once you reach them. And definitely use that phone certification number in the meantime so you don't lose your payments.

I've been helping people with NY unemployment tech issues for years and want to add a few things that might help: First, the Google Authenticator phone transfer issue is SUPER common - you're definitely not alone. When you get a new device, the app doesn't automatically sync your accounts like other apps do. Here's what I've seen work consistently: 1. **Best calling strategy**: Call 844-891-1786 at 7:28am and stay on hold. Don't hang up even if you get the "high volume" message. I've seen people get through after 45+ minutes on hold when calling right before they open. 2. **Have your claim details ready**: They'll definitely ask for your weekly benefit amount, claim start date, and last employer info for verification. If you have your original determination letter, keep it handy. 3. **Multiple backup methods are crucial**: When they reset your MFA, you can set up SMS backup, email backup, AND get recovery codes. Do all three! I can't stress this enough. 4. **Time sync matters**: Make sure your phone's time is set to automatic before trying any authenticator codes. Even being off by a minute will cause codes to fail. Also, that claimyr.com service people mentioned is legit - I've referred several people to it when they couldn't get through after multiple days. It's not cheap but sometimes worth it to avoid missing payments. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but fixable once you reach the right person.