How to solve unemployment problem with NYS Department of Labor claim delays
I've been dealing with unemployment issues for 2 months now and I'm at my wit's end trying to solve this problem. My claim has been stuck in adjudication since early January and I can't get any clear answers from NYS Department of Labor about what's causing the delay. I've submitted all the required documentation twice, my job search log is up to date, and I've been filing my weekly claims religiously. My savings are almost gone and I'm behind on rent. Has anyone figured out how to solve unemployment problem when the system seems completely broken? I feel like I'm drowning in bureaucracy and no one at NYS Department of Labor will give me straight answers about my claim status.
14 comments


Benjamin Carter
The adjudication process can be frustrating but there are specific steps to help solve unemployment problem like yours. First, make sure you've documented every interaction with NYS Department of Labor - dates, times, who you spoke with. Second, check your my.ny.gov account daily for any new correspondence or requests for information. Third, if it's been over 30 days in adjudication, you can request an expedited review. The key is persistent follow-up while maintaining all your weekly claim filings.
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Evelyn Martinez
•Thank you! I didn't know about the expedited review option. How do I request that through NYS Department of Labor?
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Maya Lewis
I had a similar situation last year and found a way to solve unemployment problem when you can't reach anyone by phone. There's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have this system that handles the calling for you and connects you when an agent becomes available. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) and decided to try it. Got connected within a few hours instead of spending weeks trying to call myself. The agent was able to see exactly what was holding up my adjudication and resolved it that same week.
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Isaac Wright
•How much does something like that cost though? I'm already broke from waiting for my benefits.
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Maya Lewis
•It was worth it for me since I got my claim resolved so quickly. Way cheaper than continuing to fall behind on bills while waiting for months.
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Lucy Taylor
ugh this is exactly what happened to me!!! the NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess. I've been calling every single day for three weeks and either get busy signals or get disconnected after waiting on hold for 2 hours. How are we supposed to solve unemployment problem when they won't even talk to us?? This is so stressful I can barely sleep at night wondering if my claim will ever get approved.
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Connor Murphy
•I feel you on the stress. Try calling right at 8am when they open, sometimes you get through faster then.
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KhalilStar
The real way to solve unemployment problem is to fix the entire NYS Department of Labor system from the ground up. They're understaffed, their computer systems are ancient, and they clearly don't have proper training for their agents. I've been fighting with them for FOUR MONTHS over an overpayment notice that was clearly their error. The whole system needs an overhaul but meanwhile we're all suffering.
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Amelia Dietrich
•Totally agree the system is broken but OP needs help now, not in 5 years when they maybe fix things.
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Benjamin Carter
For immediate help, also try contacting your state assemblyperson's office. They often have staff who can make inquiries with NYS Department of Labor on your behalf. It's another avenue to solve unemployment problem when normal channels aren't working. Many people don't realize elected officials' offices can intervene in these situations.
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Evelyn Martinez
•That's brilliant! I never thought of contacting my assemblyperson. Do you know if they actually respond to these kinds of requests?
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Benjamin Carter
•Yes, constituent services is part of their job. They want to help solve unemployment problem for voters in their district.
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Fatima Al-Mazrouei
I went through something similar last year and what finally helped me solve unemployment problem was filing a formal complaint with the NYS Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations. You can do this online through their website - just search for "file a complaint NYSDOL" and you'll find the form. I was stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks and within 3 days of filing the complaint, someone from their office called me directly and my claim was resolved within the week. It's like they have a separate fast-track system for complaints. Make sure to include all your documentation and be very specific about dates and what's been happening with your claim.
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Wesley Hallow
•This is really helpful! I had no idea there was an Office of Special Investigations for complaints. Did you have to provide any specific documentation when filing the complaint, or just your regular claim information?
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