Claiming NY unemployment since July with zero payments - can't reach anyone

Same boat, different month. I was pending for 6 weeks before I finally got through. What worked for me was using Claimyr to get past the phone system. It costs a bit but after weeks of trying myself, I was desperate. Their system called and got me in the queue with an agent in like 20 minutes (https://claimyr.com). You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Once I finally talked to someone, they told me my claim had an 'identity verification issue' that wasn't even showing on my account. They fixed it right there and my payments (including all backpay) hit my account 3 days later. Don't give up!

When your claim stays pending that long, it almost always means there's an issue that requires manual review. The most common reasons are: 1. Identity verification problems 2. Employment history discrepancies 3. Separation issues (if your employer contested) 4. Missing documents The problem is the system doesn't always show these flags on your account. Have you tried checking the "Determine Eligibility" section? Sometimes issues are listed there that don't show up elsewhere. Also, check if you received any letters in the mail - DOL still sends important notices through regular mail that might not appear online.

sorry ur going thru this. happened to me too last yr. took 3 months b4 i saw a penny. system is broken af.

The NYSDOL is DELIBERATELY making it impossible to get help!!! This is how they keep their numbers down. If people give up trying, they don't have to pay!! I waited TWO MONTHS last spring with the EXACT same issue - just "pending" with no explanation. Called 200+ times!!! It's a DISGRACE how they treat people who are already struggling. The only way I finally got it fixed was by contacting my state assembly member's office. They have special contacts at DOL who can actually look into your claim. Google your local rep and call them TOMORROW!!!

Based on what you've described, your claim is likely stuck in the identity verification queue, which is currently backlogged to approximately 10-12 weeks according to recent DOL statements. There are a few specific steps you should take immediately: 1. Continue certifying weekly without fail, even though you're not receiving payments 2. Check your spam/junk email folders for messages from ID.me (they handle verification) 3. Try calling precisely at 8:00am when the lines open (use multiple phones if possible) 4. Check your Document Center in your online account for any requested documentation If your claim is eventually approved, you'll receive all backdated payments for every week you properly certified. Make sure you're answering the weekly certification questions correctly, as even small mistakes can delay processing.

My cousin went thru this last month. Turns out they had his SSN wrong by one digit. Such a stupid reason to hold up someone's money for months! When you finally get thru, make sure they verify ALL your basic info is correct in the system.

Here's something many people don't know - if you filed in July 2025, there was a system update during the last week of that month that caused some claims to get stuck in processing. The DOL never publicly announced this, but I've worked with dozens of clients through my job at a community assistance program who experienced exactly what you're describing. Call and specifically tell the agent: "I filed in July 2025 and believe my claim may have been affected by the system update that occurred that month." This exact phrasing often triggers a specific review process. Also, when you do get through, request to speak with a Tier 2 agent immediately. Only they have the authorization to resolve these system-flag issues.

keep trying buddy. system sucks but eventually u'll get paid. make sure ur answering the weekly questions right tho. one wrong answer can mess everything up.

Something similar happened to me and it turned out my former employer had contested my eligibility. Never got notified about it until I finally reached someone. Check if your 'Monetary Determination' letter shows the correct employment history and benefit amount. If anything looks off there, that might be your issue.

UPDATE????? Did you get through? I'm invested in your story now because I went through this hell myself. If calling at 8am doesn't work, KEEP TRYING DIFFERENT TIMES. Sometimes 10:30am and 2:15pm have shorter wait times for whatever reason.

I want to add one more important point: while you're waiting to resolve this, make sure you're keeping detailed records of all your job search activities. If your claim is under review, they may request proof of your work search efforts retroactively for all weeks you've certified. New York requires 3 work search activities per week, and without proper documentation, you could potentially lose eligibility for those weeks. Regarding your payment status, you can also try checking your claim status through the automated telephone system (888-581-5812) which sometimes provides information not visible on the website. Press 2 for claim information, then 1 for payment history.

One more suggestion based on my experience - after I used Claimyr to get through to a rep, I learned my claim was held up because I had accidentally answered YES to the question about being out of my authorized work area during one week's certification. I didn't even remember doing this! The agent was able to correct it on the spot. Double-check all your past certifications if possible to see if you might have made a similar mistake along the way.

I finally got through to someone!!! After 3+ hours on hold today. Turns out my claim was flagged for "additional wage verification" because I had worked in both NY and NJ last year. They never notified me about needing additional documents! The agent released the hold and said I should receive all my backpay within 3-5 business days. I'm cautiously optimistic but won't believe it until I see the money. Thank you all for your help and suggestions during this nightmare!