NY unemployment back pay approved but not received - can't reach anyone by phone

This is way too common with ny unemployment. the system is designed to wear you down til you give up. I think they're hoping most ppl will just forget about the back pay because they're relieved to be getting regular payments. but that back pay is YOUR money! don't let them keep it!

After weeks of trying to reach a human at NY unemployment, I finally found a solution that worked for me. I used claimyr.com and got a callback with an actual agent within an hour! Literally changed everything - they fixed my back pay issue on the spot. It was the only way I could talk to a real person after weeks of constant busy signals. Here's a vid showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I had a similar issue and it took me 2.5 months to get my backpay. what worked for me was reaching out to my state assembly person. they have special contacts at unemployment and can often speed things up. Find your rep and email their office explaining the situation.

same EXACT thing happened to me last month. They keep regular payments flowing so technically they don't violate any laws about paying claims, but they make it impossible to get the back pay they already approved. Keep trying the phone at random times, not just 8am. I got through at 3:42pm on a Thursday randomly after weeks of trying.

Contact your state representatives office ASAP. I had a similar issue where I couldn't reach anyone for months. My state rep's office has unemployment liaisons who can escalate your case. My backpay was processed within 10 days after they got involved.

This is literally by design. After your claim gets going they deprioritize you in the phone system. I had success getting my back pay by sending a message through the portal EVERY SINGLE DAY for 2 weeks. Be polite but persistent. On day 15 they finally responded and processed my back pay.

i actually worked as a temp at unemployment last year and can tell you whats happening. the system flags accounts that are getting regular payments as "resolved" even if back pay is still pending. your calls are being routed to the general queue which is basically a black hole. you need to get into the specialist queue.

This is EXACTLY why I finally broke down and used that claimyr.com service ppl keep talking about here. after 3 weeks of nonstop calling I was ready to lose my mind. The service got me through to an agent in like 40 mins and they fixed my back pay issue on the spot. talking to an agent got my money unlocked so fast after weeks of nothing.

HERE'S WHAT WORKED FOR ME TO GET MY BACKPAY - DETAILED GUIDE: I was in your exact situation - approved claim, getting weekly payments, but the substantial back pay never showed up. After 6 weeks of frustration, I finally got it resolved. Here's my step-by-step approach: 1) First, document everything. When was your claim approved? How many weeks of back pay were approved? What dates? What amounts? Having this info ready is crucial. 2) Try reaching someone through multiple channels simultaneously: - Keep sending messages through the portal (be concise and clear) - Try calling at odd hours (2:15pm, 3:40pm - not just at opening) - Contact your state representative's office - Email the commissioner's office (sounds extreme but sometimes works) 3) The game-changer for me was using claimyr.com - it's a service that navigates the phone maze and gets you a callback when they reach a human. It was honestly the best money I've ever spent considering it helped me unlock thousands in backpay. 4) When you finally speak to someone, be extremely polite but firm. Have your documentation ready. Ask specifically: "My claim shows approved back pay for X weeks that hasn't been released. Can you please check the status and tell me exactly what's preventing payment?" 5) Get a reference number for the call and the agent's ID number (not name). 6) If they say it's being processed, ask for a specific timeframe and follow up exactly on that date if it's not resolved. The system is overwhelmed but persistence through multiple channels is key. Once I finally got through to the right person, my back pay was released within 48 hours. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have questions.

I think im shadowbanned from reaching a rep. same situation as you. claim approved but no back pay and cant get a human on the phone for 6 weeks straight. im about to just give up on the 7k they owe me 😭

did u try the trick where u press 1-1-1-3-2-2 when the automated system starts? It worked for me to reach a person back in June.

If ur on Twitter try tweeting at NYSDOL with ur issue (don't include personal info). sometimes their social media team will escalate ur case. worked for my roommate!