Can't reach NY unemployment since May - phone system hangs up immediately

Same exact thing happened to me in April. After a month of getting hung up on, I finally got through using Claimyr. It's a service that basically calls for you and gets you in line with an agent. I was super skeptical at first, but was desperate enough to try it. Got connected to an actual human in about 20 minutes after weeks of failed calls. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE and their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. The agent fixed my pending claim issue in one call.

Call exactly at 7:58am - that's when their phone system turns on but before the queue fills up. Also, try using a different phone number if possible. Sometimes certain carriers get blocked when they have too many calls coming from the same prefix. Press 3, then 1, then wait until it asks for your SSN, enter it, then press 2 when it asks about an existing claim. That's been the most reliable path to a human agent in my experience.

If your claim has been pending for 3 months, that usually means there's an identity verification or eligibility issue they need to resolve. Phone isn't always the best approach - have you tried these alternatives? 1. Send a secure message through your NY.gov account messaging center 2. Visit your local NY Career Center in person (bring ID and all claim documents) 3. Contact your state representative's office - they often have direct channels to unemployment offices The phone system is unfortunately designed to manage call volume by disconnecting when queues are full rather than offering wait times, but these other channels can sometimes be more effective.

the system is RIGGED to make people give up!!!!! i went through the same thing for FIVE MONTHS last year. they DELIBERATELY hang up on people hoping you'll just stop trying. call your state assembly person, seriously. thats the ONLY way i finally got my claim fixed. the whole system is broken on PURPOSE.

have you tried calling from a different phone? my cell kept getting the busy signal but when i used my moms phone it worked first try

To answer your question about Claimyr - they just need your phone number since they're connecting the call. I was nervous too but it worked fine. Their whole thing is they have technology that can keep dialing and get through the busy signals. When I got connected to DOL, I just gave my info directly to the unemployment agent like normal.

One important thing to know - if your claim has been pending for more than 3 weeks, you're supposed to keep certifying for benefits each week even though you haven't been approved yet. Many people don't realize this and miss out on back payments they're entitled to. Make sure you're doing your weekly certifications even while waiting for the initial claim decision.

I work as an employment counselor (not for NYSDOL directly). Right now they're dealing with a big backlog due to the new claim system implementation from March 2025. Many claims from April-June are stuck in processing. When you do reach an agent, make sure to ask them to escalate your claim to a supervisor for expedited review due to financial hardship. Be prepared with your work history details, employer contact information, and any relevant documents showing your eligibility. The more prepared you are, the faster they can resolve your claim once you reach someone.

If you've been trying since May and it's now August, you definitely qualify for a hardship escalation. When you do get through (either via Claimyr, career center visit, or early morning calling), immediately mention that you're facing eviction due to the delay. They have special procedures for expediting claims where the claimant is at risk of losing housing. Document everything - dates you've called, messages you've sent, and any reference numbers they give you.