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Ryan Kim

Can't file new ny unemployment claim after getting laid off again - system keeps showing my old exhausted claim

Lost my job last week due to lack of work after being employed since May. Trying to file for unemployment benefits again but facing a frustrating issue. Every time I log into the system to start a new claim, it just keeps redirecting me to my old claim from last year which shows as 'exhausted'. Can't find any option to file a new claim anywhere. Called the ny unemployment number like 20 times but can't get through to an actual person. The automated system is useless - just tells me my old claim is exhausted like I don't already know that. Has anyone dealt with this before? How do I actually file a new claim when the system won't let me?

Oh man, I literally just went through this exact same thing. The system is completely broken. Try logging out completely, clearing your cache/cookies, and then logging back in. That worked for me but it took like 3 attempts. There should be a 'File A New Claim' button somewhere on the dashboard but it's super easy to miss.

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Thanks, I'll try clearing cache. Did you have to call them at all or were you able to do it all online?

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I tried online first and got nowhere, so yeah, eventually had to call. Spent 2 hours on hold 🙄

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This didn't work for me. Cleared everything, tried different browsers, still kept getting stuck in a loop with my old claim. NYSDOL website is straight garbage.

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After struggling with the same problem for DAYS, I finally found a solution! I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically called them for me and then connected me with an actual agent when they picked up. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - they manually reset something in the system so I could file a new claim. Check out this video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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sounds like one of those ads that pops up everywhere. anyone ACTUALLY try this? seems sketchy

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It's absolutely real. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying to call for 2 weeks straight. They just automate the calling/holding process, then transfer you once a human answers. Saved me literally days of holding.

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hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different? not tryna waste more money on top of being unemployed

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The difference is it actually worked lol. I got connected to a rep who fixed everything in 10 mins. After 3 weeks of trying on my own, it was the best money I ever spent.

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Can confirm this works. I was in the same boat last month - old claim, couldn't file new one. Used Claimyr and finally got through. The agent had to manually close my old claim which isn't something you can do yourself online.

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The system is such garbage. You have to call and speak to a rep. The website won't let you file a new claim until they've properly closed out your old one in their system, and that's something only they can do manually. Took me 3 weeks of calling to get through and fix this same issue.

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This is a common issue. When you exhaust benefits and then try to reapply after working again, you need to call and have them manually close your old claim first. There's no way to do it online despite what their FAQ says. Welcome to the wonderful world of NY unemployment where nothing works as intended 🙃

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So there's literally no way around calling? Thats so frustrating

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Pretty much. I tried tweeting at them, emailing, even contacting my state rep. Nothing worked until I got an actual person on the phone.

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Pro tip: call exactly at 8:00:00 AM when they open. Like literally have your phone ready at 7:59. I got through on my first try doing this after spending weeks trying at normal hours.

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This worked for me too! But I had better luck calling at 7:30am. Sometimes they open the phones early and there's no wait.

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I tried this. Called at EXACTLY 8:00am and still got the 'high call volume' message 😭

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I faced this issue last year and here's what solved it for me: First, you need to understand that there's a system limitation in the NY unemployment portal that prevents you from filing a new claim while an old one exists - even if it's exhausted. This is a known glitch they haven't fixed for YEARS. You have exactly three options: 1. Keep calling until you reach a live agent. They need to manually close your previous claim in their system. This can take hours or even days of attempts. 2. Use a service like claimyr.com that will do the calling/waiting for you and connect you when a rep answers. This is what worked for me after 3 weeks of failing to get through on my own. 3. Show up at an actual NYSDOL office in person. Bring all your documents. Yes, they exist and can help, though wait times can be brutal. Whichever method you choose, once you talk to a rep, specifically ask them to "close your previous claim" and "release your account to file a new claim." Those are the exact terms they understand. Good luck! The system is terrible but with persistence you'll get through.

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Thank you SO much for this detailed answer! I'm going to try claimyr since I really can't waste days calling. This system is such a nightmare.

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Wait there are actual physical offices you can go to?? Where??

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Yep! There are NY Career Centers throughout the state that have NYSDOL staff. Google "NY Career Center near me" and call first to confirm they can help with unemployment issues. Some are better than others.

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FYI this is a known issue they're supposedly "working on fixing" (for the last 3 years lol). You have to call. If it makes you feel better, I went through this exact same BS last month.

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I work in IT and the NYSDOL site is literally the worst government website I've ever seen. It's running on technology from 2005 at best. The only solution is calling, unfortunately.

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As a fellow IT person, I can confirm. Their backend systems are ancient COBOL from what I've heard. They tried updating during covid and made everything worse somehow 🤦‍♂️

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Just went thru this last month! Such a pain. I ended up using claimyr.com after my friend recommended it. Got connected to an agent who fixed it in like 10 minutes. Turns out they have to manually reset something on their end before you can file a new claim after exhausting an old one.

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another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol... did this actually work?

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Yes it actually did work! I was super skeptical at first too, but after wasting 2 weeks trying to get through on my own I was desperate. They just automate the hold process and then connect you to a real NYSDOL agent.

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Try this: Go through the process as if you're filing for the first time. Don't log in to your existing account first. Start fresh from the homepage and click 'File A New Claim' - sometimes this bypasses the loop.

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The REAL secret? Call your state assembly person or senator's office. Tell them you're their constituent and need help with NYSDOL. They have special contacts who can fix this quickly. Worked for me after 3 weeks of trying to get through the normal channels!

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THIS!!!! 💯 My state rep got it fixed in 2 days when I'd been trying for weeks

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I tried this and my rep's office said they're overwhelmed with unemployment cases and it would be 3-4 weeks before they could help 😫

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The system is buggy af, I'm a software engineer and I'm convinced they designed it this way on purpose to frustrate people into giving up. You HAVE to call and have a human manually close your old claim first.

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Yo I had this same problem! Nobody tells you but after benefits exhaust theres like a 2-3 week period where their system does some kind of quarterly update and you cant file a new claim during this time even if you qualify. Try waiting a few weeks then try again. Or call if ur in a hurry.

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I can't wait weeks tho, I need to get benefits started asap since rent is due soon 😬

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Then def try claimyr, my buddy used it and said it saved him like 8 hours of hold time

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wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS? Seen way too many 'solutions' that end up being scams

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If you're talking about Claimyr, yes it works. My roommate used it. It's just a service that sits on hold for you then calls you when a person picks up.

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I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been stuck in this loop for 4 days where it just keeps showing my exhausted claim from 2023. So frustrating that there's no clear "file new claim" option when you're in this situation. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like calling is really the only option. Might try that early morning calling strategy or look into claimyr since I can't afford to spend weeks on hold. Thanks for posting this - at least now I know I'm not crazy and it's actually a system problem!

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