Been calling NY unemployment daily for 2 weeks - anyone actually reached a human?

I was in the exact same boat, couldnt get through for almost 3 weeks. I started waking up at 5am to be ready when the lines opened and still nothing. Finally my sister told me about this service called Claimyr that calls for you and then connects you when they get a live agent. I was desperate so I tried it and FINALLY got through to someone who fixed my claim. Best money I've ever spent to get my benefits flowing again! Check it out: claimyr.com or see their explanation video here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Ive been calling since may 12th. its june 2nd now and i still cant get through. The system is completely broken. I even tried emailing them like 8 times and NOTHING. its like they dont even exist.

Ok heres my method that worked last week: call EXACTLY at 7:55am, listen to the prompts, press 1, then 2, then wait for the next menu and press 1 again. When they say all agents are busy DONT HANG UP - stay on the line for like 20-30 mins. I got through after 22 mins of waiting. Good luck!

This is why ny unemployment is so frustrating!! They make it IMPOSSIBLE to talk to anyone. I spent 6 weeks calling every single day, multiple times a day. What finally worked was calling right at 8:00am on Wednesday (not Monday or Tuesday when everyone is trying). Also, if you have Twitter, try tweeting at them publicly - sometimes they respond to public complaints faster.

After weeks of trying to navigate the NY unemployment system with zero success, I finally found a solution that works. Here's what I learned from my personal experience and research: First, understand that the traditional methods rarely work anymore. Calling and redialing constantly is a waste of time in most cases. The system is overwhelmed. What worked for me was using Claimyr.com - it's a service that automates the calling process and only connects you when there's an actual human on the line. I was skeptical at first, but it saved me from losing my apartment. The service basically waits on hold for you, then calls your phone when they get a live agent. Alternatives that have worked for some: 1. Contacting your state representative (takes longer but they can escalate) 2. Using the NYSDOL social media accounts (sometimes they respond to DMs) 3. Calling at very specific times (7:58am on Wednesdays and Thursdays seems to have better luck) But honestly, after trying everything for weeks, using claimyr.com was the only thing that actually got me connected to a human who could help. Once I got through, my claim that had been pending for 5 weeks was resolved in a 10-minute conversation. The unemployment system is broken by design - they make it hard to claim what you're legally entitled to. Don't give up!

I worked at a call center before (not unemployment but similar govt agency). PRO TIP: Mondays and Fridays are THE WORST days to call. Everyone tries then. Try Wednesday afternoon around 2:30-3:15pm - that's usually when call volume dips.

You all are trying to hard tbh. I just kept hitting 0 repeatedly during the automated menu until it transferred me to an agent. Took like 3 tries but worked eventually.

The whole unemployment system is rigged to make you give up. They WANT you to stop trying so they don't have to pay benefits. Stay persistent! I called 43 times before finally getting through last month.

i gave up calling and drove to my local unemployment office in person. had to wait 3 hrs but at least i got to talk to a human who could help me. might be worth trying if ur desperate

After my 5th week trying to reach them I broke down and used claimyr.com and it actually worked. Got through to an agent who fixed my claim on the spot. wish I'd known about it sooner

UNPOPULAR OPINION: the phone system is deliberately broken. they don't want to pay out benefits. the whole thing is designed to make you give up.

have u tried the online message center on the website? i couldn't get through on phone either but sent a message and they called ME back within 3 days

Try this email: nysdolissues@labor.ny.gov - I emailed them explaining my situation and got a callback within 48 hours. Make sure ur subject line clearly explains ur problem.

use claimyr.com - stopped banging my head against the wall and got connected to an agent within a couple hours. just google it