Impossible to reach anyone at NY unemployment - phone system just hangs up on me

welcome to unemployment hell my friend. ive been dealing with this garbage for like 2 months now. the phone system is designed to make u give up. they dont want to help anyone, just collect their paychecks while we starve 🤬

I found an actual solution after spinning my wheels for weeks! I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically waits on hold FOR you and then calls you when a real agent is on the line. Seriously saved my sanity and I finally got my issue fixed in one call. Talking to an agent got my payments unlocked so fast after weeks of nothing. Check out this video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I've found that calling at EXACTLY 7:58am helps sometimes. They officially open at 8 but the phone system kicks in a couple minutes early. Still took me 3 days of trying this method before I got through tho.

The entire NY unemployment system is completely broken. I lost count of how many times I've been hung up on. What worked for me was emailing my state representative - they have special contacts in the unemployment office and can sometimes expedite things when you're desperate.

Here's what I learned after FINALLY getting through after 6 weeks of hell with ny unemployment: First, you need to understand that there are literally thousands of people calling simultaneously. The system is antiquated and can't handle the volume. The old trick of calling right at opening doesn't work anymore because everyone does it. Here's what worked for me: 1) Call between 1:30-2:30pm when lunch rushes are over 2) When you get the automated system, choose the option for existing claims (even if you're calling about something else) 3) When it asks for your PIN, enter it wrong twice - this sometimes routes you to a different queue 4) If you get hung up on, wait 10 minutes before calling back (their system flags repeat immediate calls) After all this didn't work consistently, I finally used claimyr.com which basically waits on hold for you and calls when an agent is ready. It was the best money I've ever spent to finally get my benefits paid quickly after months of struggling. Also - document EVERYTHING. Get the name of anyone you speak to, confirmation numbers, and take screenshots of your account. The system is so broken you need to protect yourself with evidence of every interaction.

Not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work. The system is designed to be frustrating so people give up and don't collect benefits they're entitled to.

Try contacting them through Twitter. Seriously. I tweeted at @NYSLabor with my issue (no personal details) and they DM'd me asking for my info. Had a call from them 2 days later.

another day, another person discovering how TERRIBLE ny unemployment phone system is 💯 been like this for YEARS even before the pandemic

Sending good vibes your way OP. The system is a nightmare but don't give up! I was in your exact shoes last winter - payments stopped randomly, couldn't reach anyone. Finally got it sorted and got backpay too. Keep trying!

Their phone system hasnt even been upgraded since the 90s probably. I heard they still run on COBOL programming which is ancient. No wonder everything's falling apart.

Have u tried the alternate number? Sometimes 888-209-8124 has a different queue than the main number. Worked for me once but not consistent.

So I was about to throw my phone after 3 hours on hold when my neighbor told me about claimyr.com - thought it was BS but I was desperate. It actually WORKED and I finally got my claim fixed after weeks of trying! It was the only way I could talk to a live agent. They just wait on hold and call you when someone picks up.

Call your state assembly person!!! This is what they're there for!! My benefits were stuck for 2 months, called my assemblyman's office, and they got it fixed in 5 days.

i feel u on a spiritual level 🤣 been stuck in unemployment purgatory since april. the system is a joke.