How to file unemployment by phone with NYS Department of Labor - need help with the process
I've been trying to figure out how to file unemployment by phone with NYS Department of Labor but I'm getting conflicting information online. My internet connection at home is really spotty and the my.ny.gov website keeps timing out when I try to complete the application. I heard you can do it over the phone but can't find a clear number or process anywhere. Has anyone successfully filed their initial claim by calling instead of using the website? What number did you use and what information did they ask for?
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Fatima Al-Farsi
You can file by phone but it's more complicated than the online process. The main NYS Department of Labor number is 1-888-209-8124 but expect really long wait times. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months including employer names and addresses, and your separation reason. They'll ask the same questions as the online application but it takes longer because they have to enter everything manually.
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Giovanni Greco
•Thank you! Do you know what their hours are? I tried calling yesterday around 3pm but got a busy signal.
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Dylan Wright
yeah the phone lines are ALWAYS busy, its ridiculous. i spent 3 hours on hold last week just to ask about my weekly claim. honestly the website works better even if its slow sometimes
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Sofia Torres
The phone filing process is available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, but honestly Tuesday through Thursday mornings around 8-9am seem to have shorter wait times. Make sure you have all your employment information ready because once you get through, they'll want to complete the entire application in one call. If you get disconnected, you might have to start over.
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GalacticGuardian
I had the same problem with the website timing out constantly. What finally worked for me was using the library computers - their internet is way more stable than my home WiFi. But if you absolutely need to file by phone, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have this video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me hours of being on hold and getting disconnected.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Never heard of that service before, is it legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.
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GalacticGuardian
•Yeah it's legitimate, they basically just help you get connected to the actual NYS Department of Labor phone system without the endless hold times. I was skeptical too but it worked and I was able to file my claim the same day.
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Ava Rodriguez
Filing by phone is such a pain but sometimes necessary. One tip - have a backup plan ready because the system goes down for maintenance pretty regularly. Also write down any confirmation numbers they give you immediately because they talk fast and if you miss it, good luck getting back through to ask again.
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