How to get a live person at NY unemployment by phone - direct number needed

The main number (888-209-8124) is technically correct but GOOD LUCK getting through. I spent 4 days calling nonstop before finally connecting. Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM - that worked for me eventually. Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem slightly better than Mondays.

There isn't a secret direct number unfortunately - they've consolidated everything through their main line. However, if your issue is specifically about a pending claim, try selecting option 1, then 1 again, then 2 in the phone tree. This route sometimes connects to the claims specialists faster than other paths. Make sure you have your NY.gov ID, SSN, and claim info ready.

have u tried the callback feature? sometimes its offered sometimes not but when i got it it worked and they called back in like 2 hrs

After dealing with the SAME EXACT ISSUE last month, I found something that actually worked. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for weeks on my own. They have this system that basically calls for you and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is available. Saved my sanity! They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The NY unemployment phone system is THE WORST!!! I've been on unemployment twice in the past 3 years and both times it took FOREVER to reach someone. One thing I noticed - if you call on Thursday afternoons (like between 2-3pm) the wait seems a little shorter. No idea why but it worked for me twice. AVOID MONDAYS AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

lol good luck. took me 3 weeks to reach someone. when i finally did the lady was super nice tho. just keep trying man

The frustration is understandable, but there are some strategies that might help. First, make sure you're calling from the phone number listed on your claim. The system prioritizes calls from registered numbers. Second, if your claim is showing as pending for 3+ weeks, you may qualify for expedited review. When using the phone system, try saying "representative" at each prompt - some parts of the IVR system have voice recognition capabilities. Lastly, document each call attempt (date/time) as this can be useful if you need to file a complaint about access issues.

Quick update on my experience with Claimyr - I ended up getting through to a really helpful agent who found out my claim was stuck because of an employment verification issue. She fixed it on the spot and my payment was released the next day. If you're still struggling tomorrow, might be worth checking out.

my brother had same problem last year but his claim was stuck cuz his employer contested it. do u know if ur employer is fighting ur claim? that can make it take way longer

UPDATE: Finally got through! For anyone finding this thread later - I followed the advice about option 1-1-2 in the menu and called on Thursday at 2:30pm. Still waited about 25 minutes but actually got a human! They said my claim was pending because of a wage verification issue that needed manual review. The agent was able to process it while I was on the phone. THANK YOU everyone for the help and suggestions!!

So happy to see this thread worked out! I've been lurking here for weeks dealing with my own unemployment nightmare. Just wanted to share another tip that helped me - if you're calling and getting the "high call volume" disconnect message, try calling back immediately. Sometimes the system will put you in queue on the second or third attempt even if it hung up the first time. Also, make sure your phone isn't on silent - I missed a callback once because I didn't hear it ring! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here, it really helps knowing we're not alone in this struggle.

Just joined this community and wow, what a journey Emma! So glad you finally got through and got your issue resolved. I'm actually dealing with something similar right now - my claim has been pending for 2 weeks and I've been getting nowhere with the phone system. Reading through all these tips is incredibly helpful. The Thursday afternoon timing suggestion and the 1-1-2 menu path seem to be the most promising strategies. I'm definitely going to try calling tomorrow afternoon and see if I can get the same luck you had. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's reassuring to know there are real solutions that work, even if the system is frustrating. Fingers crossed I'll have a success story to share soon too!

As someone who just went through this exact same nightmare last month, I feel your pain! One thing that finally worked for me was using the online chat feature on the NY.gov website during off-peak hours (like 11pm-1am). I know it sounds crazy, but they have overnight support staff and way fewer people are trying to chat at that time. When the chat agents can't help directly, they can sometimes schedule you for a priority callback the next business day. Also, if you're on social media, try reaching out to @nyslabor on Twitter with your case details - they've been pretty responsive to public complaints lately and can sometimes escalate urgent cases. Hope this helps and hang in there!