Can't certify for ny unemployment by phone - system always busy and online isn't working

Try calling right when they open. I mean EXACTLY at 8am. Not 8:01. Not 8:05. Exactly 8:00:00. That's the only way I could get through. Had the number dialed and my finger hovering over the call button watching the clock hit 8.

After weeks of dealing with the same issue, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically waits on hold for you then calls you when an agent picks up. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast! Best thing I ever did after wasting so much time trying to get through myself. Check out their explanation video: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Same thing happened to me. The certify by phone system is BROKEN. Kept saying "we're experiencing unusually high call volume" and hanging up. I tried for TWO MONTHS. Had better luck with the regular customer service number (888-209-8124) but still took forever to get through.

This is a widespread issue with NY unemployment right now. The phone certification system gets overloaded because their online system has so many bugs that people who should be claiming online get forced to use the phone option. It's a perfect storm of incompetence.

I was in EXACTLY the same situation last month. Couldn't get through on phone, online giving errors. What worked for me was emailing my state representative. I found mine by searching "find my NYS assembly member" - sent a detailed email about my situation and they actually helped escalate my case. Had a callback within 48 hours. Worth a shot!

Have you tried using the automated phone system during off-hours? Sometimes I've had better luck calling at really weird times like 7pm on Sunday or super early like 6am (even though they're not open, sometimes the automated system still works for certification).

Try the online chat feature on the ny unemployment website. I couldn't get through by phone either but somehow got a rep through chat after waiting about 45 mins. They were able to help me certify for my missed weeks.

Ok so here's what you need to do. I work in IT and have figured out a few tricks with the NY unemployment system after helping several family members: 1. First, clear your browser cache completely or try a different browser for the online system - sometimes the verification errors are just cookie issues 2. If that doesn't work, for phone certification try calling the Spanish line and then press the option to continue in English (fewer people use this route) 3. If still no luck, use a service like claimyr.com that will wait on hold and call you when they get an agent (this is what finally worked for my sister after 3 weeks of trying) 4. As others mentioned, contacting your state assembly person works wonders - they have special contacts at DOL 5. Last resort - file a complaint with the NYS Department of Labor on their website under "File a Complaint" - sometimes this triggers a callback The system is ridiculously broken right now but these workarounds have helped a lot of people I know. Good luck!

Have you tried checking if your claim is actually on hold? Sometimes there's an issue they need to resolve before you can certify at all, and no amount of calling the certification line will help. You need to talk to a claims specialist.

their automated system is trash - has been since the pandemic and they never fixed it. welcome to NY where nothing works but taxes still due on time 🙃

I know this sounds dumb but have you tried certifying through the mobile app? Sometimes the app works when the website doesn't. I was having the same problem and switched to the app and it worked first try.

The online system has been messed up since they did that "upgrade" in April. Classic government IT project - spent millions to make it worse than before.

You might need to verify your identity again. A lot of accounts got flagged for extra verification recently because of all the fraud. Check your email spam folder - they might have sent you a link to verify.

I've been dealing with ny unemployment for 2 years now and honestly the only reliable way to get help is either 1) know somebody who works there or 2) use a service like claimyr.com to get through the phone lines. Everything else is just wasting time sadly.