How to reach a real person at NY unemployment without losing my mind?
Been trying to contact NY unemployment for 3 weeks straight about my claim being held up. I submitted my application back in October after being let go from my restaurant job when they cut staff. My claim shows as 'pending' with no explanation. Every time I call, I get stuck in an endless loop of automated messages and then get disconnected after waiting for 1-2 hours. I've tried calling at different times (early morning, late afternoon, exactly when they open) but nothing works. The website is completely useless - keeps giving me generic messages about high call volume. Tried sending messages through the online portal but never get any response. I'm down to my last $240 and rent is due next week. Does anybody know any secret phone numbers or extensions or ANYTHING to get through to an actual human being? This is beyond frustrating!
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StarStrider
I feel your pain! Spent TWO MONTHS trying to reach someone. Only thing that worked was I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they actually got someone on the phone for me! It costs money but talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast it was worth every penny. They even have a YouTube video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Sean Doyle
•Sounds sketchy... how does it actually work?
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StarStrider
•Not sketchy at all! They just automate the calling and hold process. When they get someone, they forward the call to your phone. Saved me hours of listening to that awful hold music 🙌
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Zara Rashid
•another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
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StarStrider
•I was super skeptical too but I was desperate and it actually worked. Not a paid sponsor or anything, just someone who finally got their benefits after using it.
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Luca Romano
•Wait for real? I've been trying for 6 weeks... might have to try this
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Nia Jackson
The system is DESIGNED to be impossible to get through. I'm convinced they do this on purpose to discourage people from collecting. I finally got someone after 5 weeks of calling EVERY DAY and the lady acted like I was bothering her 🤡
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Mateo Hernandez
•OMG THIS!!! The attitud is insane. Like we're asking for handouts when its OUR MONEY we paid into the system!!!
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CosmicCruiser
•conspiracy theory much? lol they're just underfunded and overwhelmed
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Nia Jackson
•underfunded my a$$. Look at their budget. They could afford to hire more people but they don't want to. wake up.
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Aisha Khan
Here's what I did that finally worked after like 70+ calls: 1. Call exactly at 7:58am (not 8:00, everyone calls then) 2. When you get the menu, press 1, then 2, then 3, then wait for next menu 3. Press 1 again, then immediately press # four times 4. At next prompt say "representative" not "agent" 5. When they ask for your SSN, enter it SLOWLY No guarantees but this worked for me twice now. You'll still wait 30-40 min but at least you'll be in line for a real person. Good luck!
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Thank you! Will try this tomorrow morning. At this point I'm desperate enough to try anything.
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Ethan Taylor
•I tried this exact sequence but still got disconnected after 45 mins 😭
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Aisha Khan
•It might not work every time. The system is crazy unpredictable. Maybe try claimyr.com if you're really stuck? I've heard good things.
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Yuki Ito
•This worked for me but only on a Tuesday. For some reason Tuesdays seem easier to get through.
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Carmen Lopez
Try contacting your state representative/assemblyperson. I was going NOWHERE with unemployment for 2 months. Emailed my state rep with all my info and they had someone from a special unemployment team call me within 3 days. Worth a shot.
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Andre Dupont
•This is actually solid advice. My brother did this and got results quick.
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QuantumQuasar
•How do u find ur state rep? sorry im new to all this
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Carmen Lopez
•Just google "[your county/neighborhood] new york state assembly person" - they'll have contact info on their website. Just be super clear about your situation.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
If u have Twitter, try tweeting at NYSDOL. Sounds dumb but they sometimes respond fast if u publicly shame them lol. Worked for me after tagging them AND the governor 😂
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Jamal Wilson
Look, I'm going to give you the comprehensive breakdown on how to deal with NY unemployment because I've been through this nightmare THREE times now: First, understand that there are basically four ways to get a live agent: 1. Call persistence: Most people give up, but if you're willing to call 50+ times, you WILL eventually get through. Best times are Tuesday-Thursday between 8:05-8:20am or 1:15-1:45pm. Avoid Mondays at all costs. 2. Use a service: Claimyr.com has saved many of us hours of frustration. It's not free, but it works consistently from what I've seen. They call repeatedly for you and connect you when they get a live person. 3. Government intervention: Contact your state assemblyperson's office. They have special unemployment liaisons who can escalate your case. This takes 3-7 days typically. 4. Alternative channels: The unemployment appeals office sometimes answers their phone, and they can transfer you to regular agents. Their number is different from the main line. Whatever you do, document EVERYTHING. Get the name and ID of every agent you speak with. Take screenshots of all messages. This will save you when they inevitably lose your information or claim they never received something. Don't lose hope, the system is frustrating by design, but if you're persistent you'll get your benefits eventually. Good luck!
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Anastasia Fedorov
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out. I'm going to try the Claimyr option first because I'm desperate, then contact my rep if that doesn't work.
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Mei Lin
•number 2 on this list saved my sanity. claimyr ftw
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Liam Fitzgerald
•hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different?
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Jamal Wilson
•The difference is they don't promise to handle your case or claim to have inside connections - they literally just automate the process of calling over and over until they get through, then connect you. That's it. No magic, just technology doing the frustrating part for you.
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Amara Nnamani
dont bother calling. its pointless. I called 239 times last month (yes I counted) and the ONE time I got through, the call dropped after 40 minutes on hold. system is broken beyond repair.
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Giovanni Mancini
•this is why everyone is moving out of new york tbh
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NebulaNinja
The email method worked for me! Send an email to NYSUnemploymentAssistance@nystate.gov (not sure if this is still active) with your full name, last 4 of SSN, phone #, and a BRIEF description of your issue. I got a call back within 5 days.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
•That email address bounced back for me last week 😞
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NebulaNinja
•Dang sorry to hear that. They must have changed it or its overloaded. Maybe try claimyr.com instead? I've heard good things.
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Dylan Mitchell
i caved and used claimyr after seeing it recommended here. got through to an agent in about 30 mins. my back payments just hit my account this morning after 6 WEEKS of nothing. just sharing since i know how desperate it gets.
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Sofia Morales
•not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work
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Dylan Mitchell
•normally id agree with you but i was at my wits end. it literally just automates the calling process and connects you when someone picks up. nothing magical but it worked when nothing else did for me.
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Dmitry Popov
•Congrats! Did they explain why your payments were held up?
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Dylan Mitchell
•get this - they had me flagged for "verification needed" but NEVER TOLD ME. the agent fixed it in like 2 minutes once i actually got to talk to someone. unreal.
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Ava Garcia
The unemployment system is a joke right now. They can send a rover to Mars but can't build a phone system that actually works 🤦♂️
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StarSailor}
wait hold up - does this claimyr thing actually work? i keep seeing it mentioned
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Miguel Silva
•I was skeptical but it worked for me last week. They basically just do the annoying part (calling over and over) for you. When they get someone they connect you.
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Zainab Ismail
•My roommate used it and got through in like an hour after trying for weeks on his own. He said it was worth it.
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Connor O'Neill
Dont give up! I was in the exact same situation, payments stuck in pending for two months! What finally worked was calling their TTY/TDD line (for hearing impaired) at 888-783-1370. Way less people use it so u might get through faster. Worth a shot!
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Yara Nassar
•Isn't it kinda messed up to use the line meant for hearing impaired people if you're not hearing impaired? 🤔
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Connor O'Neill
•When you're about to be evicted and can't feed your kids, you do what you gotta do. The whole system is messed up.
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Keisha Robinson
ya know whats insane? my friend in NJ got thru to unemployment in 5 minutes. FIVE MINUTES!!! meanwhile in NY we're all suffering for months. makes no sense
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GalaxyGuardian
Pro tip: if u do get someone on the phone, be SUPER nice to them no matter how frustrated u are. these agents deal with angry people all day. when i finally got thru the lady was so relieved i wasnt yelling that she went above and beyond to help fix my issue.
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Paolo Ricci
•💯 this is the way. they're just doing their jobs and the system is broken, not their fault
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