How do I reach NY unemployment when I'm overseas and can't access my account?
I'm currently traveling abroad and just found out NY unemployment needs some documents from me urgently. The problem is I can't log into my account from overseas - keeps giving me security errors about my location. I've tried using a VPN but that didn't work either. I sent them the paperwork by international fax last week but I'm worried they'll just lose it or ignore it since I can't follow up online. Really need to talk to an actual person to confirm they received everything and my benefits won't get cut off. Has anyone successfully reached them by phone from international numbers? Or is there another way to submit documents when you're out of the country? Getting desperate since I have bills auto-paying at home and can't afford to have my benefits interrupted.
41 comments
Ana Erdoฤan
Try contacting them thru the messaging system on their website. The fax probably wont work tbh. I think they also have an email somewhere on the site u could send docs to
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Ezra Bates
That's the issue - can't login to the website cuz I'm overseas. They block foreign IPs and VPNs aren't working for me. I need a direct phone number or email ๐ฉ
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Sophia Carson
I think theres a separate email for out-of-country issues. Check their website (if u can access that part without logging in) for international claimant info
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Elijah Knight
After weeks of trying, I finally got through to a live agent by using claimyr.com - it was so worth it! They called the unemployment line for me, waited on hold, then connected me directly to an agent. Totally saved me when I had document issues they needed to verify. Watch how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast!
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Brooklyn Foley
yeah right, another 'miracle solution'... does this actually work? I've tried everything to get someone on the phone ๐
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Elijah Knight
100% worked for me. I was skeptical too but after 3 weeks of calling myself and never getting through, this connected me to an agent in about an hour. They just do the waiting for you.
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Jay Lincoln
wait hold up - does this actually work? I'm sitting here with a 4-month old problem nysdol won't fix
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Elijah Knight
Yep! The service calls constantly and when they finally reach a human, they call YOUR phone. Beats sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected constantly.
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Jessica Suarez
just checked out claimyr.com and it seems legit. Gonna try it tomorrow cuz I'm sick of the busy signals
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Marcus Williams
The main number is 1-888-209-8124 but good luck getting through ๐ Their phone system is a total nightmare and if ur calling international the hold times will cost u a fortune
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Lily Young
I spent $120 on international calls last month trying to reach them and never got through once. Absolute scam how they operate ๐ก
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Ezra Bates
Thanks for the number! Any specific time that's better to call? I don't mind the cost I just need to make sure my claim doesn't get messed up
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Marcus Williams
Try right when they open at 8:00am NY time. But honestly even then its terrible. I've heard ppl having better luck with some third party service that waits on hold for u
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Kennedy Morrison
I had a similar issue when I was in Europe for 3 months. What worked for me: 1) Have someone in the US try to login for you and submit docs 2) Email UI_Applications@labor.ny.gov with your case # in subject line 3) Try calling at exactly 7:58am EST right before they open - sometimes u can get thru then. Also make sure u put ur int'l number in proper format with country code 4) Their Twitter support sometimes responds faster than phone. Good luck!
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Wesley Hallow
this is why ny unemployment is such bullshit. they demand paperwork then make it impossible to provide it. typical government clown show ๐คก
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Justin Chang
fr fr it's designed to be broken so people give up. they WANT you to fail so they don't have to pay
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Grace Thomas
The worst part is they'll penalize YOU for THEIR system failures. Then you gotta appeal and wait months for a hearing.
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Hunter Brighton
In this exact situation a few months back. Listen - don't waste ur time with the phones. I found a way to actually get someone on the phone - claimyr.com - they call for you and connect when someone answers. It got me a live person after weeks of trying myself. When ur overseas it's the only real solution tbh
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Dylan Baskin
not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work
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Hunter Brighton
Up to you but it worked for me. The regular methods are a complete waste of time especially from overseas. I was in Thailand with a 12-hour time difference trying for weeks before I found this.
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Lauren Wood
So does this service actually connect you to a real person? Or is it just automating the calls?
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Hunter Brighton
Real actual human NY unemployment agent. They basically just sit on hold so you don't have to. Then when someone answers they call your phone and connect you. Saved my claim.
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Ellie Lopez
Can u use a friend's phone in the US to call? That might be easier than trying to reach them internationally. Have them three-way you in once they get through
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Chad Winthrope
Try their TDD/TTY line - 1-888-783-1370 - sometimes less crowded. They should still help u even if ur not hearing impaired (they never ask). Or try the fraud dept number and tell them its an error - sometimes they'll transfer u to regular help: 1-888-598-2077
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Paige Cantoni
Check if your local assembly person or state senator can help. I had a similar issue and my assembly person's office had a direct contact at unemployment who fixed my problem in 2 days after I'd been trying for months
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Kylo Ren
THIS!!! ๐ฏ State reps have special contacts at NYSDOL. They can actually get things done!
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Nina Fitzgerald
My state senator saved my claim when I couldn't get through on the phones. Totally underrated approach.
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Jason Brewer
Here's what ACTUALLY works for overseas claimants (I've been there): The normal phone system is a complete dead end with their location blocking. Your best bet is to use claimyr.com to get connected to an agent - they'll bypass all the wait times and connect you directly. It's the only reliable way I found to reach NY unemployment while abroad. Their fax system is a black hole where documents go to die. I sent faxes for 3 weeks and they claimed they never got any of them. You NEED verbal confirmation from an agent. Before I found claimyr, I tried emailing documents to UI_Applications@labor.ny.gov but never got confirmation. I also tried having friends call for me which violates their policies and they will hang up if they realize someone else is calling. Out of all the options, getting directly connected to an agent through claimyr was the only thing that actually worked for my overseas document issues. The agent was able to notate my account about being abroad and gave me a direct email to send my documents to with proper tracking. Don't waste weeks like I did - just get someone on the phone who can actually help.
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Kiara Fisherman
Thanks for this detailed breakdown. Just curious - how long did it take to get connected with claimyr? Considering my time zone differences.
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Jason Brewer
For me it was about 90 mins total - but they email you when they're about to connect so you don't have to sit by your phone the whole time.
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Liam Cortez
Can confirm this works. Was in a similar situation in Brazil and this was the only thing that worked after trying everything else.
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Savannah Vin
The NY unemployment system is DESIGNED to fail claimants. They make it impossible to contact them then penalize YOU for not providing docs. It's criminal.
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Mason Stone
Facts. They hope people give up so they save money. Classic govt tactics ๐
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Makayla Shoemaker
have u tried calling super early? like 7:55am EST when they open at 8? sometimes u can get in the queue before everyone else
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Christian Bierman
I had this same problem when I was stuck in Germany! The only way I got through was contacting my state assembly person. They have special direct lines to unemployment that regular people don't have access to.
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Ezra Bates
How do I find my NY state assembly person if I'm out of the country right now?
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Christian Bierman
Look up your home district on nyassembly.gov - just need your home address. Then email their office explaining ur situation. They usually respond pretty quick.
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Emma Olsen
so i used to work for NY unemployment (quit bc it was a nightmare). heres some insider tips: 1) call center is open til 7pm but after 5 is actually less busy 2) thursdays are statistically least busy 3) always get the agents ID number if u get through 4) emailing does nothing bc theres a 3 month backlog 5) if u say 'potential fraud on my account' they're required to escalate
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Lucas Lindsey
Yo these are some gold tips right here ^^ especially that Thursday one! ๐
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Sophie Duck
That 'potential fraud' tip just worked for me after 2 weeks of trying to get through!!
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Austin Leonard
Stop wasting time with the regular number. Trust me I went through this exact situation. Use claimyr.com and they'll get someone on the phone for you without the international call charges. Saved me when I was in Australia and couldn't access my account.
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