Impossible to reach anyone at ny unemployment for overpayment payment plan

I know right? And its not like I'm trying to argue with them about the overpayment. I literally just want to PAY them back, just not all at once! You'd think they'd make it easier to give them money 🙄

Word is they're super understaffed since covid. used to be bad before but now its like next level impossible to get through.

the system is BROKEN. they expect us to be instantly available for them but they're completely unreachable for us. make it make sense!

this sounds like those spam ads that pop up everywhere. does this actually work or is it just more unemployment system BS?

Yeah I was super skeptical too, but I was desperate after like 50+ failed calls myself. It actually did work though - got my callback in about 2 hours. I'd tried for almost a month before that with zero luck.

wait hold up - so you pay someone else to call unemployment for you? how does that even work? 🤔

They basically use some tech to keep dialing and navigating the phone tree until they get a human, then they connect you. Talking to the agent got my payment plan set up the same day - best decision I made after wasting so much time trying myself.

Hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different? Anyone else try it?

I used it too a few weeks ago. It's just a way to skip the hold time nightmare. They call and wait in the queue and then call you when there's a real person. Saved me from throwing my phone out the window after days of trying 😂

I tried looking everywhere on the website and couldn't find anything about setting up a payment plan. Just the threatening notices about repaying the full amount. If there is an online option, they've hidden it REALLY well.

I think its hidden in the 'messages' section somewhere. But when I tried it just errored out with some unhelpful code. The whole system feels designed to be as frustrating as possible tbh

That's actually a really good idea I hadn't thought of! What address did you send it to? And did you include any specific info in the letter besides your contact info and what you wanted to pay?

I sent it to their main office in Albany. Included my full name, last 4 of SSN, claimant ID, phone #, and a brief explanation of my financial situation and what I could afford monthly. They called me back and we set up $50/month payments.

THIS!!! 💯 Physical mail still works because so few people do it anymore. I had to do this with another state agency (not unemployment) but same concept worked.

That's actually really helpful! I hadn't thought about going through my state rep. Did you just call their office and explain the situation?

Yep! Just called my local assembly person's office, told them I was a constituent who'd been trying to reach unemployment for months. They took my info and had someone from a special NYSDOL unit call me within a week. They can't help with the actual overpayment decision but they can help get you to the right person.

Thank you SO MUCH for this detailed advice! I'm going to try the different option numbers tomorrow morning. It's so frustrating that they make it this difficult just to pay them back responsibly.

This is gold 🔥 Especially the part about pressing different menu options. That's how I eventually got through - selected the "new claim" option instead of payments.

Saving this comment. You're the hero we need but don't deserve 👏

"the system is DESIGNED to make you give up" - I felt this in my soul. It's 100% accurate. Wish I could upvote this a thousand times.

Totally cosign the claimyr.com recommendation. Only thing that worked for me after weeks of trying. Saved my sanity.

Yup, can confirm these strategies work. I used to work in a different state's benefits system (Florida) and it was the same concept - confuse and frustrate people into giving up.

I tried sending an email about 6 weeks ago but never heard anything back. Did you use a specific email address that actually worked?

i used the general contact form on their website. took like 3 weeks but someone did eventually get back to me. not ideal but might be worth trying again

THIS!!! And they expect immediate payment but take 6+ months to process anything on their end. The double standard is ridiculous.

fr fr the whole system is designed to be as frustrating as possible. they hit you with that overpayment notice QUICK but try to get help? crickets...

it's because they want you to just give up and either pay it all or ignore it so they can hit you with late fees. classic govt tactic.

Exactly! And it's not like I'm even trying to avoid paying. I'm literally trying to GIVE THEM MONEY, just in installments. You'd think they'd make that part easy!

I tried looking for an online chat but couldn't find one on the NY unemployment site. Maybe I missed it? If anyone has a direct link that would be super helpful!

hmm i used it about 6 months ago but maybe they removed it? it was definitely buried in the site. anyone else know if the chat still exists?

they got rid of the chat feature back in february. too many people were using it i guess 🙄 typical nysdol - remove the one thing that actually worked

If they do, I can't find it anywhere on their site. Everything points to 'call this number' which then never connects to a person. It's maddening!

is that the service that calls for you and waits on hold? how much did it cost? im about ready to try anything at this point

Yep that's the one - they call and navigate through all the phone menus, wait on hold, then call you when they get a human. Talking to the agent got everything sorted in one call. Def worth it after wasting so many hours trying to call myself.

yeah right, another 'miracle solution'... what's the catch? 🙄

No catch - it's just a service that calls and waits on hold so you don't have to. The unemployment office is still a pain to deal with but at least you can actually talk to someone. After weeks of failed calls it was a no-brainer for me.

I used it too! it works. saved me from yeeting my phone into the hudson after the 50th 'all representatives are busy' message

That's good to know but really hoping it doesn't get to that point. Would rather not have it affect my credit if possible.

100% agree - definitely try all the other options first! Just mentioning it as absolute last resort if nothing else works.