Can't reach NY unemployment after contesting Monetary Benefit Determination - need human help!

I went through something similar in January. The key is calling right when they open at 8:00 AM, but even then it's tough. Try selecting the option for 'existing claim with issues' rather than general questions - sometimes that queue is shorter. Also, have you checked your online account? You might be able to submit a secure message through the portal to explain your situation.

call on Tuesday or Wednesday between 10-11. NEVER call on Monday or Friday!!! thosse r the worst days. also try hitting 0 repeatedly sometimes that gets u to a person faster.

Ugh I HATE their phone system!! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get through earlier this year. It's like they deliberately make it impossible to reach anyone! Have you tried reaching out to your state rep's office? That's what finally worked for me - my assemblyman's office has a staff person who deals with unemployment issues.

After working with hundreds of UI claimants, I can tell you that getting through by phone is increasingly difficult. When you need to speak to someone quickly, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that navigates NYSDOL's phone tree and holds your place in line, then calls you back when an agent is ready. I've had clients save days of frustration with it. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE showing how it works. For your specific situation with the contested determination, you'll definitely need to speak with a claims specialist, not just a general support person.

Has anybody actually been able to withdraw a contest once it's submitted? I made a similar mistake in 2025 and was told by the agent that once you file a contest, it HAS to go through their review process even if you realize you were wrong. The system doesn't allow them to just cancel it. They told me to just wait for the denial letter and then continue certifying as normal. Check your online account daily - sometimes benefits will start flowing before you get any additional paperwork.

i had the same problem last month bascally. u should be able to still certify for benefits even while waiting!! dont stop certfiying or you'll lose those weeks. the money will come eventually once they sort it out

My sister had something like this happen and she contacted her state senator's office and they helped her get it resolved in like 2 days. Worth a try!

When you do finally get through to someone, make sure you get their ID number or at least their first name. Also ask them to put detailed notes in your file about the conversation. This creates a record in case you need to reference the call later. And be extremely clear that you want to WITHDRAW your contest and have benefits processed based on the original determination. Sometimes the agents use specific terminology that's different from everyday language.

I see from your other comments that you've been certifying regularly - that's good. One other thing to check: log into your NY.gov account and make sure your payment method is correctly set up. Sometimes when there's an issue with a claim, the system might revert to a default payment method like debit card even if you originally selected direct deposit. It's worth verifying while you're waiting to speak with someone.