Can't complete my NY unemployment claim - need to speak with agent but can't get through

Wow I'm having the EXACT same issue. Been calling since Nov 7 and nothing. The system is completely broken. I don't understand how they expect people to survive when they make it impossible to even complete a claim. Have you tried emailing them? I sent 3 emails last week and still no response.

After weeks of the same nightmare, I finally got through using a service called Claimyr. They basically call for you and then connect you when a rep picks up. Got my claim completed in like 10 mins after the agent got on the line. Best money I ever spent considering how much was on the line with my benefits. Here's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I've been dealing with NY unemployment for years (unfortunately had to use it 3 times now) and the phone situation has ALWAYS been terrible. But it's especially bad right now. Your best bet is to call right at 7:30am, not 8am. They sometimes start answering earlier than they officially open. Also try calling on Wednesday - for some reason it's their least busy day from my experience.

Something is seriously wrong with the whole NY unemployment system. I had the same issue back in July. Took me 5 weeks of trying before I finally got through. The problem is they laid off a bunch of the call center staff after the pandemic rush but the systems are still just as broken requiring human intervention. When I finally got through, the agent told me they were severely understaffed and apologized for the wait. System is designed to fail IMO.

Here's what I learned from my nightmare with NY unemployment system (took me 7 weeks to finally get benefits): First, absolutely keep documentation of every attempt to call. Take screenshots of your call logs showing the number, date, time and duration. This helps if they try to deny you for "not trying hard enough to complete your claim." Second, reach out to your state assembly person or senator. Their offices can sometimes escalate cases. It didn't work immediately for me but they did eventually help. Third, I ended up using claimyr.com after wasting literally days of my life on hold. They connected me with an agent within a couple hours. From there it took just one 15-minute call to fix everything, and my backpay was processed 4 days later. Finally, once you do get through, GET THE AGENT'S NAME and a reference number for your call. Some agents will tell you they fixed things but don't actually do it. The NY unemployment system is broken by design - they make it hard to reduce how many people successfully claim. Don't give up though, it's YOUR MONEY you've paid into the system!

just keep calling bro. took me 392 calls in one day before I got through last month. its rigged to make u give up.

Contact ur state rep!!!! I know someone else mentioned this but FR this is what worked for me. Google ur address + NY state assembly rep, call their office, explain ur situation. They have special contacts at unemployment offices. My rep's assistant got someone to call ME within 48 hrs.

Anybody try going to one of the actual unemployment offices in person? I know they say everything is phone/online only but wondering if showing up might work? Thinking about trying the office in Brooklyn tomorrow cuz I'm desperate

This is why I hate NY unemployment so much. They REQUIRE you to call to complete certain claims but then make it impossible to get through. It's like they're designed to deny as many people as possible. Our tax dollars at work! 🤡

Same thing happened to me. I had luck using a callback service at claimyr.com that got me connected with an agent. Once I actually talked to someone, they fixed my claim in minutes. Whole thing was resolved in one day after weeks of trying myself.

I found a weird loophole - call the Spanish line (press 2 when you call) and then when you get through just say you pressed the wrong option. Sometimes the wait is shorter there and they'll still help you in English.

This might sound crazy but try calling at 7:55am and selecting the employer option instead of claimant. Sometimes they'll transfer you to the right department and you skip part of the queue. Worked for me back in August.

Anyone else feel like they're being punished for losing their job? Like the system is deliberately making this hard so we'll just give up on benefits we're entitled to? I've paid into unemployment for 12 years and the one time I need it, this happens.

Calling the TTY/TTD line sometimes works better. I'm not hearing impaired but was desperate. Got through in 45 mins that way. They didn't seem to care or ask about it.

try tweeting at NYSDOL - sometimes their social media team will actually help escalate cases that get public attention. worked for my roommate

claimyr.com saved me so much time and frustration. After 4 weeks of trying to get through myself, they connected me with an agent in under an hour. Fixing my claim took 10 minutes once I had someone on the line. Can't recommend it enough.

whats ur claim status show online? if its pending interview, ur gonna wait weeks no matter what. if its pending verification you might be able to upload docs instead of calling

Had same issue for 5 weeks. Finally got through by using multiple phones to call at the same time right at 7:30am. Used my cell, wife's cell, and our landline all dialing simultaneously. Landline got through first. It's stupid that we have to use tricks like this but that's NY unemployment for ya.

The unemployment website says average wait time is 12 minutes LMAOOOOO what a joke. I've never waited less than an hour and that's IF I can even get in the queue. Who comes up with these fake stats?

I feel your pain - went through this exact nightmare last year. After 6 weeks of getting nowhere with the regular phone line, I finally got connected using a callback service called Claimyr. They handle all the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they reach an actual human. Cost me like $20 but saved literally weeks of my life sitting on hold. Got my whole claim sorted in one 15-minute call once I had an agent. The NY system is completely broken - they know people will give up if it's hard enough. Don't let them win, your benefits are money YOU paid into the system!