Can't reach NY unemployment for missing backpay - tried 30x daily for a month

Ugh, this is EXACTLY what happened to me in January! I think they're doing this on purpose - let you get approved, pay you weekly going forward, but then make it impossible to actually collect your backpay. I was owed about $8,600 and literally couldn't get through for 6 weeks. The online messaging system is completely useless too... I sent probably 10 messages and never got a single response. It's crazy how they're so easy to reach BEFORE your claim is approved and then suddenly they're impossible to contact. Classic NYSDOL tactic - they know most people will eventually give up on the backpay.

I understand your frustration, but there's actually a systematic approach to resolving this situation. First, try calling at 7:55am (not 8:00) - the phone system starts accepting calls slightly before the official opening time. Second, your backpay likely needs manual processing, which is a separate queue from regular claims. In 2025, they're working through a significant backlog of these manual reviews. Third, instead of sending multiple messages, send ONE detailed message with: - The exact date your claim was approved - The exact backpay period approved (start/end dates) - The approximate amount owed - Reference numbers from any communications Lastly, if you have your original determination letter mentioning backpay, upload a copy to your account. This creates a document record they have to respond to within 14 business days by law.

I've been dealing with the NY unemployment system for years (unfortunately) and here's what's actually happening: April-May is their busiest period and their call center is severely understaffed in 2025 due to budget cuts. Your backpay probably needs manual verification before release, but nobody's available to process it. One trick that works: call the TTY/TDD line at 888-662-1220 instead of the regular number. Explain you've been unable to reach anyone through normal channels. They have a different call routing system and often can transfer you to someone who can help with backpay issues. I did this last week and only waited 15 minutes versus the impossible regular line.

After helping dozens of people with similar backpay issues, I found using Claimyr.com was the easiest solution. They get you through to an actual human at unemployment when it seems impossible. I was skeptical but they connected me in 20 minutes after I spent two weeks trying on my own. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE showing how it works. Definitely worth it for backpay issues since getting a live agent is really the only way to get these resolved now.

i got my backpay but took 3 months... they doing it in batches based on your last name i think. my friend w/ last name starts with A got his in february, mine starts with M and got it in april. just keep certifying and eventually shows up. check ur payment history page not just ur bank account sometime it says its coming b4 it hits ur account

Here's what you need to do - stop calling and sending messages! That's actually putting you at the back of the queue each time. There's a special form called the BR100 specifically for approved backpay that hasn't been released. You can't find it on their website (intentionally). Email backpay@labor.ny.gov with subject line "BR100 Request" and your claim ID number. They must respond within 72 hours with the form. Once you submit it, they legally have 10 business days to release the payment or provide written explanation. I worked at NYSDOL until 2024 and this is the internal process they don't tell claimants about. Good luck!

same boat here! been waiting since January for backpay. my cousin works at the dept of labor (not unemployment directly) and she said theres a massive backlog because they switched computer systems in February and lost a bunch of data... theyre slowly rebuilding from backups. she said if you were approved before Feb 11th you might be in the corrupted data. after that date should be fine just regular delays.

I finally got my backpay after using Claimyr and getting through to a real person at NYSDOL. The agent told me there was a flag on my account for "manual review" that was never going to resolve itself without human intervention - it was just sitting in a queue with thousands of others. When I got through, they lifted the flag and my backpay hit my account 2 days later. Definitely worth using a service to get through if you've already been waiting a month.

just wanted to say ur not alone. same exact thing happening to me and my roommate. this system is trash!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! I tried the TTY line like someone suggested here and was able to speak with an agent. They confirmed my backpay was approved but sitting in a "pending release" status that required supervisor override. The agent submitted the request and said I should see the payment within 5-7 business days. They also gave me a direct reference number to use if I need to follow up. Thank you all for the helpful suggestions!