How to file my weekly unemployment claim - NYS Department of Labor system won't let me in
I've been approved for unemployment benefits for about 3 weeks now but I keep having trouble filing my weekly claims. Every time I try to log into the NYS Department of Labor website it either kicks me out or says the system is down for maintenance. I missed filing last week's claim and now I'm worried I'm going to lose my benefits. The phone number just rings busy constantly. Does anyone know the best time to file or if there's another way to do this? I really need to get these weekly claims submitted.
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Emma Davis
The NYS Department of Labor website is definitely frustrating. Try filing early Monday morning around 6 AM - that's when the system is usually most stable. Make sure you're going to labor.ny.gov and not some other site. You have to file your weekly claim by the Sunday deadline to get paid for that week. If you missed last week, you might be able to file it late but there could be a delay in payment.
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Javier Torres
•Thanks! I'll try Monday morning. Do I need to file the missed week first or can I just file this week's claim?
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CosmicCaptain
I had the same problem when I first started filing. The trick is to have all your information ready before you start - your PIN, any work you did that week (even just a few hours), and job search activities. The system times out if you take too long to fill everything out. Also clear your browser cache before trying to log in.
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Malik Johnson
•What kind of job search activities do they want? I've been applying online but not sure how to prove it.
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Isabella Ferreira
honestly the whole nys department of labor system is a mess... i've been trying to get through on the phone for WEEKS and either get disconnected or put on hold for hours. there's gotta be a better way to reach these people when the website doesn't work
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Emma Davis
•I actually found a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents on the phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you so you don't have to sit on hold all day.
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Isabella Ferreira
•That sounds too good to be true but at this point I'm desperate. Does it actually work?
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Ravi Sharma
Make sure you're filing during your designated day! NYS Department of Labor assigns you a specific day of the week to file based on your last name. If you try to file on the wrong day the system won't let you through. Check your paperwork or account to see what day you're supposed to file.
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Javier Torres
•Oh wow I had no idea about designated days! That might explain why I keep getting locked out. How do I find out what day I'm supposed to file?
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Freya Thomsen
yeah i missed two weeks in a row when i first started and they made me call to reactivate my claim. total nightmare
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