NY unemployment benefits suddenly cut off after missing one phone call - can't reach anyone

Thank you! I've been trying at random times throughout the day. I'll try right at 8am tomorrow. Do I specifically need to ask for a 'benefits continuation review'? I've never heard that term before.

I had the EXACT same thing happen!!! They cut me off for 3 weeks becuz I missed ONE STUPID CALL while I was in the bathroom!!! The system is totally rigged against us!!

I've never heard of this service before. Did they actually get you through to a real NYSDOL agent? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. I need my benefits to pay rent next week.

i used this too, works great. better than wasting days trying to get through. the nysdol phone system is the worst

That's what's so frustrating! I don't know for sure why they stopped, but the timing with the missed call seems suspicious. I've quadruple checked all my certifications and I reported everything correctly. I really need to speak to someone to figure out what happened.

I've checked my message center constantly and there's nothing there! That's part of what's so confusing. I'm not on any special program that I know of, just regular UI while working part-time and going to school. The job specialist I was talking to during previous calls was helping me with my career transition plan. I'll definitely try the "payment not received" prompt tomorrow - haven't tried that one yet.

Just to expand on this excellent advice - missing a required DOL call can result in your benefits being placed on hold until contact is re-established. This is particularly common with work search verification calls. When you do reach someone, ensure you mention that you're actively working part-time AND attending school, as this combination sometimes triggers verification requirements that wouldn't apply to either situation alone. The DOL needs to verify your school schedule doesn't interfere with your availability for full-time work, which is still a requirement even when working part-time.

same experience here its so frustrating

It definitely feels designed to make people give up! I'm worried about paying my bills if I can't get this resolved soon. I'm going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning.

Thank you so much for the update! I didn't realize there was a special verification for people in my situation. No one ever mentioned that to me during previous calls. I'm definitely going to try calling again tomorrow, and I might use that service you mentioned if I still can't get through. Just knowing what the actual problem is makes me feel a bit better.

This is correct information. The quarterly verification for part-time workers attending school is relatively new (implemented in late 2024). The verification ensures that your school schedule maintains your availability for full-time work, which is required even when working part-time and claiming partial benefits. Once verified, the hold is typically lifted within 24-48 hours, with payment following in 2-3 business days.

That's a good idea! I didn't even think about going in person. Do you know if I need an appointment or can I just show up? The nearest office is about an hour away from me, but I might do that if I can't resolve this by phone in the next couple days.

Most NY DOL Career Centers now require appointments for in-person assistance with unemployment claims. You can schedule through the NY.gov website under "Career Services." However, some locations do accept walk-ins during specific hours, typically early mornings. I recommend calling the specific center before making the trip to confirm their current walk-in policy.

Great to hear! Yes, the quarterly verification program is relatively new. Make sure to answer any future calls from NYSDOL numbers, and if you miss one, try to call back the same day if possible. Glad you got it resolved!

awesome! glad it worked out for you. the system is so confusing sometimes

So glad you got it sorted out! This thread has been really helpful - I had no idea about the quarterly verification requirement either. It's frustrating that they don't clearly communicate these new programs when they implement them. Your experience will definitely help others who run into the same issue. Thanks for taking the time to update us with the resolution!

Absolutely agree about the communication issues! I'm new here but have been dealing with NYSDOL for a few months now. It's really frustrating how they roll out these policy changes without clearly explaining them to claimants. This thread has been incredibly valuable - I had no idea about the quarterly verification for part-time workers in school either. It makes me wonder what other requirements they have that aren't clearly communicated. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions. This kind of peer support is so much more helpful than trying to navigate their confusing automated system alone!

I completely agree! I'm fairly new to this community but have been lurking and reading threads like this one. The contrast between the official NYSDOL resources and what people actually share here is striking - you get real, actionable advice from people who've been through the same struggles. It's honestly shameful that we have to rely on community forums to understand basic program requirements that should be clearly communicated by the agency itself. This thread should probably be pinned or something because I bet this quarterly verification issue is going to affect a lot more people as they roll it out further. Really grateful for communities like this where people take the time to help each other navigate these systems!

@Mia Alvarez That s'actually a really smart approach! Being proactive could save you a lot of headaches down the road. From what I ve'learned reading this thread, it seems like the verification requirements can vary quite a bit depending on your specific situation part-time (work, school enrollment, type of program, etc. .)I d'definitely recommend calling them before you start school to ask specifically about any additional requirements or verification processes you might need to complete. That way you can be prepared and won t'get caught off guard like what happened to Freya. It s'frustrating that we have to be so proactive about finding information they should be providing clearly, but at least now we know these programs exist!

@Mia Alvarez That s'exactly what I wish I had done! Being proactive would have saved me so much stress and confusion. If you do decide to call them before starting school, I d'recommend asking specifically about quarterly "verification requirements for partial unemployment recipients enrolled in education programs -" that seems to be the official terminology they use. Also ask them to document in your account that you ve'been informed about any special requirements. From my experience, having things noted in your account can prevent automatic holds later. The whole situation really highlighted how much we have to advocate for ourselves with these systems. Good luck with your school plans!