Can't reach NY unemployment to complete my claim despite email notification

It's so frustrating! Have you found any workarounds or better times to call? I'm about ready to camp outside their office at this point.

Thank you! I'll try the 7:58am trick tomorrow morning. Did they ask for any specific employment documents? I have my W2s and last pay stub, hoping that's enough.

They asked me for the exact start and end dates of my last job, my supervisor's name, and reason for separation. Having your W2 and pay stubs is good, but also write down all those details before calling so you're not scrambling while on the phone. The verification part only took about 10 minutes once I actually got through.

Thanks for suggesting this! Does it really work? I've never heard of it before and I'm a bit nervous about using a third-party service.

I was skeptical too but it did work for me. They basically just handle the frustrating part of getting through the phone system and then connect you directly to unemployment. Once you're connected, you're talking to the actual DOL agents, not Claimyr people. Several friends in my industry have used it when they got stuck in pending status.

This is actually incorrect information. Most NY unemployment offices don't handle claim issues in person anymore since 2023. They'll just direct you back to the phone system or online portal. The only exception is if you have a pre-scheduled in-person appointment, which you can only get... by phone. Source: I work in employment assistance.

Thank you so much for this specific advice! I'm going to try both the early morning call that someone suggested AND this alternate number with those specific prompts. I really appreciate everyone's help - I was feeling so stuck and alone with this.

Thanks for the update! I would have shown up at the wrong time. I'll try 8:28am tomorrow.

this 👆👆👆

Great news! Thanks for coming back to update us. That's typical about the employer not responding - happens all the time and then we're the ones who suffer while waiting. Glad you got it resolved!

Congrats!!! So glad it worked out for you!!! 🎉

I'm in the exact same situation and feeling your frustration! It's so maddening that we have to pay for a third-party service just to access the benefits we're entitled to, but honestly after reading everyone's experiences here, it seems like the most reliable option. The whole system feels broken when employers can just ignore verification requests and leave us hanging. I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy first (8:28am as @Lim Wong suggested and) if that doesn t'work, I ll'definitely look into Claimyr too. Thanks @Carmella Popescu for sharing your success story - it really does give hope that there s light'at the end of this tunnel!

@Nia Watson I totally agree about trying the early morning strategy first before going the paid route! I actually just got off the phone with a friend who went through this same nightmare last month. She said the key with the 8:28am calling is to have multiple phones going at once if possible her (roommate helped her and) to NOT hang up if you get the high "call volume message" - just stay on hold no matter how long it takes. She waited 2.5 hours but eventually got through. Also wanted to add that she mentioned there s'apparently a callback "option" that some people have had success with, though it can take 24-48 hours. You have to get through to the automated system first and then there should be an option to request a callback instead of waiting on hold. Might be worth trying that too! Really hoping we all get through this bureaucratic mess soon.

@Nia Watson you re'absolutely right about the system being broken! I ve'been lurking on this thread because I m'dealing with the same issue - got the dreaded speak "to a representative email" two weeks ago and have been in phone hell ever since. Reading everyone s'experiences here has been both comforting knowing (I m'not alone and) infuriating seeing (how widespread this problem is .)I m'definitely going to try the 8:28am calling strategy tomorrow, and if that fails, Claimyr seems to be the way to go based on multiple success stories here. It s'ridiculous that we have to resort to paying a third party to access our own benefits, but if it gets results, it s'worth it. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips and especially @Carmella Popescu for the detailed update - gives me hope that there IS a way through this maze!

@Nia Watson I totally feel you on how broken this system is! I ve'been dealing with something similar - my claim has been pending "review for" almost 3 weeks now and every time I call I get the runaround. What really gets me is that we re'basically being punished for our employers lack' of responsiveness. I tried the early morning calling strategy yesterday 8:28am (and) actually got through after about 20 minutes on hold! The agent was helpful and explained that there s'been a huge backlog due to some system updates they did in February. She said if you can t'get through by phone, you can also try submitting a request "for expedited review through" the online portal - apparently it s'buried in the forms section but it does get looked at within 5-7 business days. Might be worth a shot while you re'also trying the other methods. Good luck!