Made a mistake on my NY unemployment claim saying I didn't return to work - how to fix?

Oh man, that sucks. The same thing happened to me in March when I reported my earnings wrong. I literally couldn't get through to anyone for almost 3 weeks. The regular number is absolutely useless - it's like they designed it to prevent you from talking to humans 🤦‍♂️

After dealing with the same issue (accidentally saying I was fired instead of laid off), I finally got through by using a service called Claimyr. They basically wait on hold for you then call when they get a real person. Saved me hours of frustration and talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast. Here's a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

unfortunately theres no quick-fix for this. you have 2 options: 1) keep calling the main number obsessively until u get thru or 2) go to ur local unemployment office in person. I had to do option 2 after making a similar mistake. Bring all ur paperwork and ID.

Listen, I work with a lot of unemployment cases (not for the state, just help people navigate the system). Your best bet is to document EVERYTHING. Write down the date you made the mistake, what the mistake was, and all your attempts to contact them. Keep trying the main line but call right when they open - like literally be calling at 7:59am. Also try the appeals line even though this isn't technically an appeal yet. Sometimes those agents can help with corrections.

I went through this EXACT situation in February. Accidentally said I wasn't looking for work (I was) and my benefits got frozen. The online messages never got answered. Finally got through after using claimyr.com - it was worth every penny because I was able to explain the mistake and they fixed it immediately. My backpay came through three days later.

OK I've dealt with NY unemployment for YEARS and here's the comprehensive guide to fixing mistakes on your claim: First, understand that the system is DESIGNED to be difficult. It's not you - it's them. For your specific issue: 1. Document everything - dates, times, what happened 2. Keep trying the main number (800-833-3000) but call at exactly 8:00am 3. Use the online message system AND call - redundancy is key 4. If you can't get through after a week, try contacting your state representative's office 5. As a last resort, services like claimyr.com can get you through to an agent (they wait on hold so you don't have to) Most importantly - KEEP CERTIFYING correctly while you try to fix this. Don't stop your weekly certifications or you'll create an even bigger problem. I've helped dozens of people navigate this system and the key is persistence and documentation. Don't give up!

u can also try reaching out on twitter. i know it sounds stupid but i tweeted at NYSDOL and they actually DMd me and helped fix my claim. worth a shot 🤷‍♀️

Try faxing them. I know it sounds like time travel to 1995 but sometimes old school methods work when their phone system is overwhelmed. Fax a letter explaining the error with your name, last 4 of SSN, and claim ID. Their fax is usually on their website.

I HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM!! wasnt my fault the system glitched during my phone claim. i tried for TWO MONTHS to get it fixed. ended up having to get my state senator involved. they have special liasons who can escalate ur case. google ur district and call them!!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of ny unemployment 🎪🤡 where everything's made up and your time doesn't matter. Im in month 4 of trying to fix an error they made. System is beyond broken.

not to make things worse but just FYI - if ur claim is processed with incorrect info and you receive money, they might make you pay it back later even if its their fault. happened to my roomate. so def keep trying to get this fixed ASAP.

Something similiar happened to me - I selected the wrong start date for when I was laid off. After failing with phones and online messages, I finally used Claimyr and got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes (after spending days trying myself). The agent updated my info on the spot and I saw the correction in my account the next day. claimyr.com saved me so much stress

Pro tip: if you keep hitting 0 at every menu prompt sometimes it will eventually put you through to a human after like 7-8 tries. Works about 30% of the time for me.

have u tried the online contact form? its buried on their website but sometimes they actually respond. go to forms > help > contact us > claim assistance. took them 5 days to get back to me but they did fix my issue.

The whole ny unemployment system is DESIGNED to be user-unfriendly. They make it so hard to reach humans that people just give up and don't collect benefits they're entitled to. It's infuriating but true.