Impossible to reach NY unemployment claim specialists - phone system constantly saying 'high call volume'

Unfortunately this is pretty normal with NY unemployment. Their phone system is completely overwhelmed. I found that calling right when they open at 8am gives you the best chance, but even then it's tough. Try calling exactly at 8:00:00 - not 8:01, not 7:59. Also, Wednesdays and Thursdays seem slightly better than Mondays.

im in the same boat, called 23 times yesterday got hung up on EVERY TIME!!! system is garbage

The NYSDOL phone system has been this way for years, but it's gotten worse since 2025 started. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Use the message system on your online account first - sometimes they'll call YOU back within 48 hours 2. If you must call, use the automated system to check your claim status first, then when prompted if you need other help, select yes 3. Have your NY.gov ID, PIN, and last 4 of SSN ready so you don't waste time if you get through Also, be very specific about what you need when you do reach someone. The first person you reach is rarely a specialist and will need to transfer you.

After battling with the same issue for TWO WEEKS, I finally got through to a real person using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically calls for you and secures your place in line, then calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE It was the only way I could finally get my backpay issue resolved. The NYSDOL really needs to fix their phone system, but until then, this was a lifesaver for me.

The high call volume message is THE WORST THING EVER!!!!! I think they just use it as an excuse to not hire enough people. I mean, if EVERYONE is always getting the high volume message, then maybe, just maybe... YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF??? I finally got through last month by calling at 8am EXACTLY, hanging up immediately if I got the high volume message, and redailing. Took 43 attempts but finally got put on hold instead of disconnected. Then waited 1.5 hours. The system is BROKEN. BTW once you do get through, ask them to put notes on your account. That way if you get disconnected after waiting, you can reference the notes when you finally get through again.

hav u tried the website live chat? sometimes u can get help there faster than phone

You know what's crazy? I called yesterday and actually got through after only 5 tries! But then the agent I spoke with couldn't even help me and had to transfer me... and guess what? I got disconnected during the transfer. 🤦‍♀️ It's like they're intentionally trying to make this as painful as possible.

Just to follow up on my earlier comment - avoiding Mondays is really crucial. Their call volume is highest on Mondays (everyone who had issues over the weekend calls then). Wednesdays around 2-3pm has worked for me a couple times. Also, check if your issue is something that can be resolved through your assemblyperson's office. They often have direct lines to NYSDOL liaisons who can help with claims issues. It takes a bit longer but it's another avenue if you keep getting disconnected.

Apparently they're 'upgrading their phone system' in 2025 but they've been saying that for YEARS and nothing ever changes! I had to call 31 times in one day last month. THIRTY-ONE TIMES! Oh and here's another thing that drives me CRAZY - when you finally get through to a person after days of trying, and they say "we sent you a letter explaining this on March 15th" but you NEVER GOT ANY LETTER. How convenient for them! 🤬

Just wanted to update everyone - I finally got my issue resolved! After trying everything (early morning calls, message system, the whole works), I used Claimyr and got through to someone who could actually help. Turns out my issue was just a simple verification flag that needed to be removed. Two minute fix after two weeks of stress! Whatever method you use, don't give up. Eventually you'll get through to someone who can help.

I feel your pain! Been dealing with the same nightmare for weeks. One thing that helped me was using the callback feature if you can find it buried in their phone menu - sometimes it actually works and saves you from the redial marathon. Also, try calling the TTY line at 1-888-783-1370 even if you don't need TTY services - sometimes it has shorter wait times and they can still help with regular claims. And definitely screenshot everything in your online account because their system "glitches" and loses information all the time. Good luck!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been trying to get through for over a week and it's so frustrating. Thanks everyone for all the tips - I had no idea about calling right at 8am or avoiding Mondays. Going to try the early morning approach tomorrow and also look into contacting my assemblyperson's office if that doesn't work. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, it helps to know I'm not alone in this madness! The fact that a simple verification flag took @Liam two weeks to resolve is just insane - the system really needs a complete overhaul.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying to reach someone for 5 days straight and getting that same "high call volume" message every single time. It's beyond frustrating when you have bills to pay and need actual help. I'm definitely going to try some of these strategies - calling at exactly 8am, avoiding Mondays, and maybe that Claimyr service if nothing else works. Thanks @Zoe for the tip about Wednesdays and Thursdays being better days. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to have "strategies" just to reach our own state's unemployment office! Has anyone had any luck with the "Contact Us" form on the website, or is that just as useless as everything else?

I'm having the exact same problem! Been calling for over a week now and getting that infuriating "high call volume" message every single time. It's like they don't want us to actually reach anyone. Reading through all these comments is both helpful and depressing - helpful because of all the great tips everyone's sharing, but depressing because it shows how widespread and broken this system really is. I'm going to try the 8am strategy that @Zoe mentioned, and if that doesn't work after a few days I might have to look into that Claimyr service @Liam used. It's honestly shameful that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get basic assistance with our unemployment claims. The state really needs to fix this mess - people are struggling financially and can't afford to spend weeks trying to reach someone for help!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - this system is absolutely broken! I've been trying to get through for 6 days now and it's driving me insane. The "high call volume" message followed by an immediate hangup is such a slap in the face when you're already stressed about money. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy tomorrow that @Zoe mentioned. Also really appreciate @Mei Lin's tip about having all your info ready beforehand - I've been scrambling to find my PIN every time I call which probably wastes precious seconds. It's honestly pathetic that we need a whole battle plan just to reach our own state agency. Will try the early morning approach and report back if I have any luck!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach someone for over a week and that "high call volume" message is like a punch in the gut every single time. What really gets me is that they don't even give you the option to wait on hold - just straight up disconnect you like your time doesn't matter at all. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy everyone's mentioning, and I really appreciate all the tips about avoiding Mondays and having all your info ready beforehand. It's absolutely insane that we need to strategize like we're planning a military operation just to talk to someone about our own benefits! The fact that so many people are dealing with this shows how completely broken the system is. I'm also going to look into contacting my assemblyperson's office as a backup plan since that seems like it might actually work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we can suffer through this together and help each other out!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and it's absolutely maddening! Been trying for 4 days straight and getting that same "high call volume" message every single time before it just hangs up on me. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and horrifying - helpful because of all the great strategies people are sharing, but horrifying because it shows just how broken this system really is. I'm definitely going to try calling at exactly 8:00am tomorrow like @Zoe suggested, and I'll make sure to have all my documents ready beforehand like @Mei suggested. It's honestly shameful that we need to become experts in gaming the system just to access basic unemployment services. The fact that @Liam's issue was a simple 2-minute verification fix that took weeks to resolve really shows how ridiculous this whole situation is. I might also try that TTY line @Ella mentioned if the morning calls don't work. Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences - it helps to know we're not alone in this nightmare!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach someone for the past 5 days and getting that infuriating "high call volume" message followed by an immediate disconnect every single time. It's like they designed the system specifically to discourage people from getting help. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both a relief (knowing I'm not alone) and absolutely shocking - the fact that so many of us are dealing with this shows how completely broken the NYSDOL phone system really is. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy that @Zoe mentioned, and I'll make sure to have all my documents ready like @Mei suggested. It's honestly ridiculous that we need military-level planning just to contact our own state agency! I might also look into that Claimyr service @Liam used if the morning calls don't work out. The fact that his issue was just a 2-minute verification fix that took weeks to resolve really highlights how backwards this whole system is. Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and creating this supportive community - we shouldn't have to figure this out together, but I'm grateful we can help each other navigate this mess!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue and it's driving me absolutely insane! Been trying to get through for 6 days now and that "high call volume" message followed by an instant hangup is like a slap in the face when you're already stressed about bills. What really gets me is that they don't even give you the option to wait - just straight up disconnect you like your time means nothing. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy @Zoe mentioned, and I'll make sure to have all my info ready like @Mei suggested. It's honestly pathetic that we need a whole community support group just to figure out how to contact our own state agency! The fact that @Liam's issue was a simple 2-minute fix that took weeks to resolve really shows how backwards this system is. I might also try that TTY line @Ella mentioned if the morning calls don't work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we can help each other navigate this nightmare while the state ignores the fact that their phone system is completely broken!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Been calling for 8 days straight and getting that soul-crushing "high call volume" message followed by an immediate disconnect every single time. It's absolutely dehumanizing - like they've designed the system to make us give up before we even get a chance to speak to someone. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both comforting (knowing I'm not alone) and absolutely appalling - the sheer number of people dealing with this shows the NYSDOL phone system is fundamentally broken. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy @Zoe mentioned, and I'll have all my documents ready beforehand like @Mei suggested. It's honestly ridiculous that we need a military operation just to access basic unemployment services we're entitled to! I might also look into that Claimyr service @Liam used since the traditional methods clearly aren't working. The fact that his issue was just a simple 2-minute verification flag that took weeks to resolve perfectly illustrates how backwards this whole system is. Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies and creating this support network - we shouldn't have to figure this out together, but I'm grateful we can help each other navigate this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare! Been trying for over a week now and that "high call volume" disconnect is absolutely infuriating - it's like they don't even want us to get help. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and depressing. Helpful because of all the amazing tips (definitely trying that 8am sharp strategy @Zoe mentioned!), but depressing because it shows how many of us are stuck in this broken system. It's honestly shameful that we need a whole support group just to figure out how to contact our own state agency! I'm going to try the early morning calls with all my documents ready like @Mei suggested, and if that doesn't work I might look into that Claimyr service @Liam used. The fact that his 2-minute verification fix took weeks to get resolved really shows how backwards this whole system is. Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies - at least we can help each other navigate this bureaucratic mess while hoping NY actually fixes their phone system someday!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now and it's absolutely maddening! Been calling for almost two weeks straight and getting that infuriating "high call volume" message followed by an instant disconnect every single time. What really gets me is how they don't even give you the option to wait on hold - just straight up hang up on you like your time doesn't matter at all. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both a huge relief (knowing I'm not alone in this nightmare) and completely shocking - the sheer number of people dealing with this shows the NYSDOL phone system is fundamentally broken. I'm definitely going to try that 8am sharp strategy @Zoe mentioned, and I'll make sure to have all my documents ready beforehand like @Mei suggested. It's honestly ridiculous that we need military-level precision just to contact our own state agency! I'm also going to look into that Claimyr service @Liam used if the morning calls don't work out. The fact that your issue was literally a 2-minute verification fix that took weeks to resolve perfectly illustrates how backwards this whole system is. I might also try that TTY line @Ella mentioned as another workaround. Thanks everyone for sharing your strategies and creating this supportive community - we shouldn't have to band together just to figure out how to get basic unemployment assistance, but I'm grateful we can help each other navigate this bureaucratic mess! Will definitely update if I manage to break through with any of these tips.