Can't reach NY unemployment agent about promised backpay - need help ASAP

Try calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open. Thats when I got through last month.

Same issue here. Been waiting on backpay for 6 weeks now... determination letter shows approved but no $ in account. The phone system is a joke - I pressed every option and always end up in a loop. One time I waited 1.5 hours on hold and then they just disconnected me when I was 'next in line'. So frustrating!!!

After weeks of trying to reach someone about my backpay, I finally had success using Claimyr. It's a service that basically navigates the phone system for you and gets you in line with an agent. They called me when they had an agent on the line. Saved me so much frustration. Check out their demo video if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

If you're specifically dealing with backpay, you need to make sure you're selecting the right options in the phone menu. For backpay issues, press 2 for Payment Questions, then 3 for Payment Delays, then 1 for Approved But Not Received. This route typically has shorter wait times than the general questions line. Also, have you checked your payment history in your online account? Sometimes backpay will show as "pending" there with a release date even if the payment hasn't been issued yet. That can give you an idea of when to expect it without having to speak to someone.

have u tried sending a message thru the online portal??? sometimes they respond faster that way than phone

I was in a similar situation last month waiting for 6 weeks of backpay that was approved. I spent hours on the phone and finally got through by calling at exactly 7:58am on a Tuesday (they open at 8:00). I think Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less busy? Once I finally talked to someone, they told me my backpay was stuck because of a "system flag" on my account that required manual review. The agent pushed it through while I was on the phone and I got the money 3 days later. Keep trying early mornings!

UPDATE: I finally got through! I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned here and it actually worked. They connected me with an agent in about 25 minutes. The agent said my backpay was held up because of a "processing delay code" that needed manual override. She fixed it while I was on the phone and said I should receive the payment within 3 business days. Such a relief after weeks of trying! If anyone else is struggling to get through, the Claimyr website is claimyr.com - definitely worth it for me.

nice. how much does that service cost tho?

make sure u keep checking ur payment history in the next few days. sometimes they say it's fixed but then u need to follow up again. happened to my cousin