Contacting state representatives got my ny unemployment issue fixed after months of frustration

This is 100% accurate. I was in the same boat for 6 weeks, couldnt get anyone to answer my calls or emails. Finally someone told me about contacting my assembly person and I did. Within 3 days my claim was fixed and money hit my account 2 days later. If ur having issues, THIS is the way.

After trying to get through on the phones for WEEKS and getting nowhere, I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a live agent! They basically wait on hold for you and then call you when they get someone. Talking to an agent got my issue resolved in one phone call and my payments started flowing again. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent after trying everything else for almost a month. Check out this video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Emailing my assembly member didn't work at all for me. They just sent me a form letter saying they'd "look into it" and I never heard back. Been 3 months now. The whole system is broken beyond repair IMO.

I've worked for the government before (not NY unemployment but similar agency). Here's the insider tip: when you contact your rep, be SUPER specific about your issue. Include your claim ID (not posting it here obvs), the exact dates, what specific error messages you see, and what steps you've already taken. The more details you provide, the easier it is for them to flag it to the right person at DOL. Generic "my benefits stopped" emails get lower priority.

I wish I'd known this 6 months ago 😭 spent so many days calling nonstop and nobody ever picked up. Finally gave up and took a job i hate just to pay rent. The system is designed to make you give up.

I'm having the EXACT same issue right now. Benefits stopped three weeks ago with some vague "review" message. Going to email my assembly person right now. Do you just use the contact form on their website or is there a specific department/person I should try to reach?

Okay let me offer the most comprehensive advice on solving NY unemployment issues since I've been through it all and finally got my issue resolved: 1) FIRST try calling early morning (7:30am exactly when they open) or late afternoon (4:30pm). These times have slightly better chances. 2) If that fails after multiple attempts, use claimyr.com - they'll get you on the phone with an agent without the wait. I was skeptical but it worked for me. 3) If you still can't resolve via phone, THEN contact both your Assembly member AND State Senator simultaneously. Don't wait - do both. 4) When contacting your reps, include: full name, DOB, last 4 of SSN, claim ID, contact info, exact dates of issues, and screenshots of any error messages. 5) While waiting, make sure you're still certifying weekly even if you're not getting paid! This is crucial for backpay. 6) Document EVERYTHING - names of agents you speak with, dates, reference numbers. The system is frustrating but these steps will maximize your chances of getting resolution. Don't give up - persistence is key!

ABSOLUTELY DO THIS! After months of trying to reach a human, I emailed my assemblyman with details of my issue... got a call from DOL 2 days later and they fixed everything. Whoever answers constituent services at your assembly office is your new best friend.

i think this is region dependent. i'm in upstate and my assembly person did absolutely nothing. but the state senator's office got things moving within a week.

Just called my assembly person and they said they're getting FLOODED with unemployment issues right now. Said to expect 2-3 weeks for a response. system is collapsing 😑

Random but did anyone else have the issue where the system randomly says you didn't certify for a week that you KNOW you did? That's what happened to me and no one will fix it.

yeah right, I've tried contacting my assembly person 3 times now and all I got was a form letter. great that it worked for you but don't get people's hopes up that this is some magic solution.

another trick that worked for me: call the SPANISH line and then just ask for english when they answer. wait times are usually waaaaay shorter 👀

PSA: If your assemblyperson doesnt respond try using social media. Tweet at them or comment on their facebook posts (publicly). They hate the bad publicity and will usually respond quickly.

So I might be in the minority here but I actually got through on the regular phone line after 47 attempts over 2 days. For those still trying: press 1, then 1, wait for prompt, press 9, then 2. That sequence got me a human faster than the other options.

This is incredibly helpful - thank you for sharing your experience! I've been dealing with a similar situation where my payments stopped in December with just a generic "pending review" message. I've called probably 60+ times and sent countless messages through the portal with zero response. Reading all these comments about contacting assembly members and using services like Claimyr is giving me hope that there might actually be a way forward. Going to try reaching out to my assembly person first thing tomorrow morning with all my documentation. It's frustrating that we have to jump through these hoops just to get basic assistance, but at least now I know there are options beyond the black hole that is the regular customer service line.

Wow, this is exactly what I needed to see! I've been stuck in unemployment limbo for 2 months now - payments just stopped with a vague "under review" message and absolutely no way to get answers. I've called probably 80+ times, always getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours. The online portal messages go into a black hole. I was starting to think I'd never get this resolved and would just have to give up on the money I'm owed. But reading about contacting assembly members and all these success stories is giving me real hope for the first time in weeks. Going to contact both my assembly person AND state senator tomorrow with all my documentation. Thank you for posting this - it's a lifeline for people like me who are drowning in this broken system!