anyone else notice they're way slower processing claims this year compared to last year?? my claim in 2024 was way faster

Just wanted to update everyone - I FINALLY got through to someone at NYSDOL! I used the Claimyr service mentioned above and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes (after trying for weeks on my own with no luck). Turns out my claim had a random "additional verification needed" flag on it, even though I'd already done ID.me. The agent was able to clear it immediately and said I should see all my back payments within 3-5 business days. She couldn't explain why it got flagged or why nobody contacted me about it. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! For anyone else stuck in ID.me verification limbo - definitely try to speak with an actual person rather than just waiting. The system doesn't seem to resolve these issues automatically.

Thanks everyone for confirming this is a scam! I've reported the number to the DOL fraud department using the link provided. Going to try the main number again tomorrow morning when they open. This community is so helpful!

Just want to add another red flag about these scam calls - legitimate DOL representatives will never pressure you to provide information immediately or threaten that your benefits will be cut off if you don't comply right away. Scammers use urgency and fear tactics to get you to act without thinking. The real DOL understands that people need time to verify calls and will always allow you to call back through official channels. If anyone ever says "we need this information right now or your claim will be denied," that's a guaranteed scam!

When I went through this, I uploaded all my documents online but ALSO faxed physical copies to them (yes, they still use fax 🙄). For some reason the physical copies got processed faster than the online submission. Worth a try if you're desperate.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Lost my job in September, submitted wage docs in early November, and it's been radio silence for 6 weeks. My landlord is breathing down my neck and I'm down to my last $200. The worst part is not knowing if there's an issue with my documents or if they're just buried in the pile. I've called literally hundreds of times and can never get through. This system is absolutely broken and it feels like they're hoping we'll all just give up and disappear. Stay strong OP - sounds like we're all in this together unfortunately 😤

my company went through similar situation last year. had to lay off 12 people and our rate went from like 1.2% to 3.8%. it's not immediate but it definitely hits your bottom line the following year. make sure you're putting money aside for the increase

Just went through this exact scenario with my small business last month. One thing to keep in mind is that NYS also looks at your "benefit ratio" - the total benefits paid out to your former employees divided by your total taxable payroll over the past 3 years. So even if you've had low turnover historically, 6 claims at once will definitely move the needle. I'd recommend reviewing your separation documentation carefully - if any of those layoffs involved performance issues or policy violations, you might want to consider whether they should have been terminations for cause instead. Also, start setting aside funds now because that rate increase will hit your 2026 tax bills pretty hard.

just want to add that even if you qualify for benefits after quitting, you still have to meet all the other requirements like doing job searches and being available for work. don't forget about that part!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago - quit due to a hostile manager who was creating an unbearable work environment. The key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor takes "constructive discharge" seriously if you can prove it. Document EVERYTHING - not just the obvious stuff like inappropriate emails or comments, but also things like sudden schedule changes designed to make you quit, being excluded from meetings, having your responsibilities stripped away, etc. I kept a daily log of incidents with dates and times. It really helped my case during the adjudication interview. The whole process was stressful but I did get approved eventually. Start your claim as soon as possible even while you're gathering documentation - the sooner you file, the sooner your potential benefit period starts.