Been trying to reach NY unemployment for over two weeks with no luck - any working numbers?

welcome to the club, ive been trying since April. the phone system is designed to make u give up. its absolutely rediculous that in 2023 we cant even get basic customer service from a government agency we pay taxes to support. 😡

I was in the same boat until I found this service called Claimyr. It basically calls ny unemployment for you and when they finally get someone on the line, they connect you. Talking to an agent got my benefits flowing again within days after weeks of nothing. Best decision I made throughout this whole unemployment mess. Check them out here: claimyr.com or watch this: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The whole unemployment system in NY is broken beyond belief. I've had better luck with emailing than calling - try unemployment.nysdol@labor.ny.gov and put your claim ID and issue in the subject line. Sometimes they actually respond in a week or so.

I've had luck getting through by calling exactly at 7:55am, then navigating through the prompts so I'm ready to be put in queue right at 8:00am when they open. Still had to wait on hold for like 90 minutes but at least I got through. The regular number still works but you gotta be strategic.

Look, heres the REAL solution for NY unemployment contact problems - I've helped dozens of people in this sub with this approach and it WORKS: 1) First, stop wasting time with the main number - it's completely overwhelmed 2) Try contacting your local state rep or senator's office - they have special channels to unemployment and can often get things fixed quickly 3) Use the message system on the unemployment website - but be VERY specific about your issue 4) If you absolutely need to talk to someone fast, use Claimyr.com - they have an automated system that waits on hold for you and connects you with an agent when one is available. After weeks of frustration, this is what finally worked for me. 5) When you do get through, be super organized - have your claim ID, dates, and specific questions ready The system is deliberately difficult to navigate, but there ARE ways through it if you're persistent and use the right tools. Good luck!

Its so messed up that this is literally the only government service that ACTIVELY tries to stop u from contacting them. Imagine if the DMV or IRS just hung up on everyone who called 😤

I literally talked to someone yesterday after trying for 3 weeks. The trick is to select the employer option when calling, not the claimant option. For some reason they answer those calls way faster. When you get through just explain your situation and they'll transfer you.

This might sound crazy but have you tried reaching out on Twitter? @NYSLabor actually responds to DMs sometimes. I got my issue resolved that way after weeks of calling.

I tried EVERYTHING for weeks. Called hundreds of times, emails, social media, even faxed them (yes I'm that old lol). Nothing worked until I used claimyr.com - felt weird paying to reach a government agency but it was 1000% worth it to finally get my benefits sorted out.

the whole system is designed to make people give up. they know exactly what theyre doing. less people who successfully navigate the system = less benefits they have to pay out. its evil honestly

Try 888-209-8124 and press 1, then 5, then 2, then 1. This sequence seems to have a slightly better chance of getting through. Worked for me last month.

nobody tell him the secret number lmao

So I actually filed a formal complaint with the NY Department of Labor about not being able to reach anyone, and somehow that got me a callback within 48 hours. Try submitting a complaint through their website - seems like the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Dude I know this sounds crazy but sending an actual physical letter sometimes works. They are so overwhelmed with calls and emails that something different like actual mail can get attention. I mailed a letter explaining my situation and got a call back two weeks later.

What time zone are you in? I found out that they actually list their hours in Eastern time, but their system sometimes interacts weird with other time zones. Try calling based on Eastern time zone opening hours.

Have you tried using the callback service at claimyr.com? I was in the exact same situation - couldn't get through for weeks, needed to verify my identity to get my money. Used their service and had a callback with an actual agent in under 4 hours. Just sharing what worked for me after all that frustration.