How do I reset MFA for NY unemployment online account after getting locked out?

Did they eventually fix it for you? What number did you call that actually worked? I'm desperate here

yeah they finally fixed it but it took FOREVER. I just kept calling the main number until someone picked up. Took like 30 attempts over 3 days. Just keep trying 🤦‍♀️

is this actually real? sounds too good to be true tbh

Yeah it's 100% real. I was skeptical too but was desperate after a week of trying to get through. They just call on your behalf and wait on hold, then when someone answers they connect you. Saved me hours of hold music 🙌

another day another miracle solution to the unemployment system... 🙄 anyone ACTUALLY confirm this works?

I used it last month when my claim was stuck in pending for weeks. Got through to someone who fixed it on the spot. Best money I ever spent after missing 3 weeks of payments.

not gonna lie I thought this was BS but checked out that video and it actually makes sense. might try it tomorrow if I still can't get through

Thanks! Did they actually help you reset the MFA when you got through?

Yeah they reset it for me but it was a whole process. They had to verify my identity by asking a ton of questions about my claim history. Took like 30 min once I finally got someone.

That number never works I swear. I think they have like 2 people working there 🤬

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll try calling right at 7:30 tomorrow.

That email address never responds tho. I sent 3 messages over 2 weeks and nothing.

They're definitely overwhelmed but they do respond eventually. My brother heard back in 9 days. But yeah, calling is usually faster if you can get through.

I can confirm claimyr works. Used it last week after being on hold for 3+ hours myself. Was skeptical but got a callback in about 45 mins.

I didn't realize you could do that! Do you need an appointment or can you just walk in?

It depends on which office. Some require appointments but the one in Albany lets you walk in. Just bring ID and be prepared to wait.

PREACH 👏 The whole system feels designed to make us give up

its cuz they dont want to pay us lol. harder to claim = less money they gotta pay out. simple as that

tbh new york is actually better than some states. try dealing with florida's unemployment system sometime 💀

Woah seriously? That actually worked? Never thought of trying social media

Yeah! I think they have a social media team that monitors mentions. Just be persistent and professional in your tweet.

this is the most 2023 solution ever lmao. gotta publicly shame them to get service 😂

Yes!!! I did get a new phone about 2 weeks ago. That must be what happened.

Mystery solved! Unfortunately that means you definitely need to call them to reset it. The backup codes would have been your only other option.

Yeah that's exactly what happened to me too! When I got my new iPhone I forgot to transfer my authenticator app properly. Had to call that tech support number someone mentioned earlier - 844-891-1786. Took forever to get through but they walked me through resetting it. Make sure you have all your personal info ready when you call because they ask a million verification questions.

this actually works^ i did this during pandemic when i couldnt get thru for months. their offices have special contacts at unemployment

This is super helpful! I'm definitely going to try calling right at 7:30am tomorrow. Quick question - when you say "backup authentication methods," what options did they give you? I want to make sure I don't get stuck in this same situation again if something happens to my phone.

@Ethan Moore Thanks for the detailed breakdown! When they reset your MFA, what backup options did they offer? I m'dealing with the same issue new (phone, didn t'transfer authenticator and) want to make sure I set up multiple methods this time so I don t'get locked out again. Did they let you use SMS as a backup or just the backup codes?

@Ethan Moore This is exactly what I needed to hear! I m'going to set my alarm for 7:25am tomorrow and call right when they open. Really appreciate you mentioning the backup codes - I had no idea that was even an option when I first set up my MFA. Did they give you the choice between SMS backup and just the printed backup codes, or do you get both? Also, did you have to wait long once you got connected, or did they transfer you directly to someone who could help with the MFA reset?

@Ethan Moore Thank you SO much for this detailed guide! I m'in the exact same boat - got a new phone 2 weeks ago and completely forgot about transferring the authenticator app until I tried to log in yesterday. I m'definitely setting my alarm for 7:25am to call right when they open. One quick question - when they were verifying your identity, did they ask about specific claim dates or just general info about your unemployment history? I want to make sure I have everything ready so I don t'waste the opportunity when I finally get through to someone. Really appreciate you taking the time to write all this out!

@Ethan Moore This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I m'dealing with the exact same issue - new phone, forgot to transfer authenticator properly. When they reset your MFA, did they give you options for backup methods like SMS or email, or just the backup codes? I want to make sure I set up multiple ways to get in so this doesn t'happen again. Also, did you have to provide any specific details about your claim history during verification, or just the basic personal info you mentioned? Really appreciate the detailed response!

@Ethan Moore This is exactly the help I needed! Just to clarify - when they reset your MFA, did they let you choose between different backup options like SMS texts or email, or do you only get those printed backup codes? I want to set up multiple ways to get back in if this happens again. And during the identity verification, did they ask about specific dates from your claim or just general personal info? Want to be totally prepared when I call at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Thanks again for the detailed walkthrough!

This is super helpful! I'm in the same boat and have been calling for days with no luck. Quick question - when you say they offer SMS backup, email backup AND backup codes, do you get to choose all three or do you have to pick one? I want to make sure I set up every possible option so I never deal with this nightmare again. Also, did the email response actually give you useful info or just generic troubleshooting steps?

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - got a new phone and completely forgot about the authenticator app until I tried to log in yesterday. This is such a relief to know there's actually a solution that works. I'm definitely going to set my alarm for 7:25am tomorrow and try calling right at opening. Quick question - when they gave you the SMS backup option, did you have to use the same phone number that's on file with your unemployment account, or could you add a different backup number? And thanks for the tip about screenshotting the QR code - that's brilliant and I never would have thought of that!

Hey @Nathaniel Stewart! I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago when I switched from Android to iPhone. The Google Authenticator transfer is such a pain and they really don't make it obvious how important it is to do it properly. One thing I wanted to add that helped me - if you can't get through on that 844 number right at 7:30am, also try calling around 12:45pm right before lunch ends. I noticed the hold times were sometimes shorter then. Also, make sure your phone's time is set to automatic before you try any of the backup methods they give you - learned that the hard way! Good luck tomorrow and definitely don't give up if the first few attempts don't work. It took me almost a week of trying but I eventually got through and they were super helpful once connected.

@Nathaniel Stewart I feel your pain! I went through this exact nightmare about 3 months ago when I upgraded my phone. One thing that really helped me when I finally got through was having my unemployment confirmation letter handy - they asked for my claim confirmation number during verification which I almost forgot about. Also, if the 7:30am calling doesn t'work out tomorrow, don t'forget about that Twitter suggestion from @Adaline Wong - I was skeptical but ended up tweeting at @NYSLabor around day 5 of trying and actually got a DM response within a few hours. Sometimes the social media team can escalate things faster than the phone lines. You got this! 💪