Can't claim waiting week on NY unemployment - phone line 8124 always busy for 4 months
I've been locked out of my account by ID.me since January 2025, which means I can't claim my initial waiting week online for NY unemployment. The only option left is calling the telephone claims line (the one that ends in 8124). I've been trying EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past 4 months - early morning, mid-day, afternoons, even right before closing. Always get the same automated message: "We're sorry but please call back another time." Then it hangs up! Not even an option to leave a message or get in a queue. This is making me desperate. It's been 4 MONTHS of trying and I still haven't been able to claim my first week. Has anyone successfully gotten through to this line recently? Any tricks or specific times that work better? I'm at my wit's end here.
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Jake Sinclair
I had the same problem back in February. The secret is to call exactly at 7:59am, right before they open at 8:00am. I got through on my third try doing this. Also, don't press any buttons when the automated system starts talking - wait for it to finish the whole intro and then you'll get different options than if you try to skip ahead.
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Vera Visnjic
•Thanks! I'll try the 7:59am trick tomorrow morning. Did you have to do anything special with ID.me before calling? I'm worried they'll just tell me to fix my online account first when I finally get through.
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Jake Sinclair
•No, you don't need to fix ID.me first. The phone agents can help without you accessing the online system. Just make sure you have your SSN, date of birth, and mailing address ready. They'll verify your identity over the phone. Good luck!
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Brielle Johnson
calling that 8124 number is IMPOSSIBLE, been trying for 2 wks straight with no luck. waste of time imo
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Honorah King
•The regular phone number is just as bad! I spent 6 hours getting hung up on yesterday trying to fix a payment issue. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE that shows how it works. Was skeptical at first but it actually worked when nothing else did. They basically keep dialing for you until they get through the busy signals.
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Brielle Johnson
•for real??? might try that, thx
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Oliver Brown
Here's what you need to know about the waiting week claim situation: 1. The waiting week must be claimed within 14 days of completing your initial application (this is a newer rule as of 2025) 2. After 4 months, you'll need to speak with a claims specialist, not just a regular agent 3. When you call, request to speak with a Tier 2 claims specialist specifically about an "expired waiting week claim" 4. You might need to file an official request for backdate through Form TF-701.3 Regarding your ID.me issue - that needs to be resolved separately. Contact ID.me support directly through their help center. The unemployment office can't fix ID.me issues.
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Vera Visnjic
•Oh no... does this mean I might not get benefits for those 4 months? That's thousands of dollars I was counting on! I didn't know about the 14-day rule. The website was so confusing.
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Oliver Brown
•Don't panic yet. If you can document that you've been attempting to contact them consistently (phone records, emails, etc.), they can make exceptions to the 14-day rule under the "good cause" provision. Make sure to mention that when you get through. The key is proving you've been actively trying to resolve this since January.
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Vera Visnjic
•Thank you so much! I have cell phone records showing I called multiple times a day for months. I'll definitely mention the "good cause" provision. Really appreciate the detailed info.
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Mary Bates
try calling ur local assembly person's office. my cousin had same problem and they helped him get through to someone at unemployment in like 2 days
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Clay blendedgen
•This actually works! I was stuck in limbo for weeks and my state representative's office has a dedicated person who deals with DOL issues. Called them Monday, had my issue fixed by Thursday. They have special contact channels regular people don't have access to.
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Ayla Kumar
The phone system is DELIBERATELY designed to keep people from getting their benefits!!! I was in the same boat last month and wasted WEEKS trying to get through. They're hoping you'll just give up and go away. It's disgraceful how they treat people who are already struggling. The whole system needs to be overhauled, but nobody in Albany seems to care that people can't access the benefits they're entitled to. BTW - I finally got through by calling EXACTLY at 8:00am on a Tuesday (not Monday when everyone's calling). Used all 3 of my phones simultaneously redialing until one got through. Complete madness that we have to resort to these tactics!!!
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Vera Visnjic
•It really does feel like they're making it impossible on purpose! I only have one phone so I can't try the multiple phone approach. Did you ever get your waiting week issue resolved when you finally got through?
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Ayla Kumar
•Yes, but it took ANOTHER week after I got through because the first person couldn't help and had to "escalate" my case. Keep detailed notes of every call - who you talked to, what they said, any confirmation numbers. The system is designed to wear you down but DON'T GIVE UP! It's YOUR MONEY!
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Jake Sinclair
One more tip that might help: if you keep getting the busy message, try calling your local NYS Career Center instead. They can't process claims directly, but sometimes they can put in a request for a DOL representative to call you back. I did this in March and got a call back within 48 hours. Bring up that you've been trying for 4 months - that should flag your case as high priority.
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Vera Visnjic
•Thank you! I'll look up my local career center today. Any idea if they're open on weekends? I work part-time now (not enough hours to disqualify me from benefits) and it's hard to call during business hours.
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Jake Sinclair
•Most career centers are Monday-Friday only, but some of the larger ones in NYC and Buffalo have Saturday hours until 1pm. Check workforce.ny.gov for locations and hours near you.
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Lorenzo McCormick
i had issues with my waiting week to. the trick is to use the online message center even if your locked out of the main account. u can still access the message center with just ur ss# and pin. send them a detailed message with ur phone # and best time to call. they usually call back within a week.
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Vera Visnjic
•Wait, you can access the message center even if locked out of the main account? I didn't know that! Where exactly do I find this? Is it a separate login page or somewhere on the main site?
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Ayla Kumar
@AlextheGreat is absolutely wrong about the Message Center - if you're locked out by ID.me you CAN'T access the Message Center either! I tried that route and it didn't work. The whole system is interconnected now. This is what's so frustrating about trying to get help - everyone has different experiences and what works for one person doesn't work for another. The system is BROKEN.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•it worked for me but ok whatever maybe they changed it since february when i had my problem.
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Vera Visnjic
•Thanks for clarifying. I actually tried the message center yesterday after reading the suggestion and it did redirect me to ID.me verification, so unfortunately that option won't work for me. Back to trying the phone I guess...
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Carmella Popescu
I work for a community assistance program (not affiliated with DOL) and we help people with unemployment issues. Here's what I recommend: 1. Document everything - keep a log of every call attempt (date, time, result) 2. The 8124 line has specific lower-volume periods: Try Wednesdays between 10:30-11:30am or Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm 3. For the ID.me issue: Call ID.me support directly at 866-775-4363 4. File a complaint with the NY State Department of Labor Advocate Office 5. If you still can't get through after trying these methods, contact your state representative as others have suggested Don't give up - persistence is key with the current system.
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Vera Visnjic
•Thank you for these specific time suggestions! I'll definitely try those windows this week. I've been documenting all my call attempts but didn't know about the DOL Advocate Office. Is there a specific number or website for filing a complaint with them?
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Carmella Popescu
•You can reach the Advocate Office at 855-528-5618 or visit labor.ny.gov/advocate to file a complaint online. Make sure to mention the 4-month timeframe and all your attempts to contact them - this helps establish the "good cause" for delayed filing that another commenter mentioned.
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Honorah King
I was in your exact situation in January. After trying for weeks to get through on the phone, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it worked like a charm. They have this system that keeps dialing until it gets through the busy signals, then connects you directly to an agent. There's a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Once I got through, the agent was able to process my waiting week claim even though it had been delayed. They said as long as you have documentation showing you've been trying to contact them (phone records, emails, etc.), they can usually make accommodations. Worth checking out if you're truly desperate after 4 months of trying!
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Vera Visnjic
•I just watched their demo video and it looks promising! Were you able to get all your backpay for the weeks you couldn't claim? That's my biggest worry right now - that I'll miss out on months of benefits because of this waiting week issue.
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Honorah King
•Yes, I got all my backpay! The key was explaining to the agent that I had been trying consistently to reach them. Once I got through and they processed my waiting week, all the subsequent weeks became available for certification. The agent actually helped me certify for all the missed weeks right then on the call. Took about 30 minutes total, and benefits were in my account about 3 business days later.
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