NY unemployment claim stuck in pending limbo for 10 weeks - need real person contact
I'm absolutely losing my mind trying to get through to someone at NY unemployment. My claim has been pending for TEN WEEKS now with zero movement or explanation. I've sent messages through the portal, tried calling the main number literally hundreds of times, and always get disconnected or stuck in the automated system. Bills are piling up, and I'm getting desperate to talk to an actual human being who can tell me what's going on with my claim. Has anyone successfully reached a live person recently? Any tricks or specific times to call that actually work? This is getting ridiculous.
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Zane Gray
i had the same problem last month. try calling right when they open at 8am, but honestly that didn't even work for me. ended up busy signals for 3 days straight. are u selecting all the right options in the phone tree? i think its 1, then wait, then 5, then 2, but might have changed.
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Aileen Rodriguez
•Thanks for the response. Yes, I've tried the 8am approach for the last two weeks with no luck. Just busy signals or the automated system tells me they're experiencing high call volume and hangs up on me. I've tried every combination of menu options I can think of. So frustrating!
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Maggie Martinez
Sorry to hear about your situation. 10 weeks is definitely outside the normal processing timeline, even with the current backlog. There could be an identity verification issue or missing documentation that's holding things up. Make sure you've checked your online account for any messages or requested documents. Also, check your spam folder for emails from NYSDOL. For reaching a representative, I recommend calling the alternate claims center number at 888-209-8124 and immediately pressing 9 when the automated system answers, then 2 when prompted. This sometimes bypasses the longer queue. Also, try calling on Wednesday or Thursday between 1:30-3:30pm when call volumes tend to be slightly lower.
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Aileen Rodriguez
•Thank you for the specific advice! I'll definitely try that alternate number and the key sequence you mentioned. I've checked my account about 50 times and there are no messages or document requests, which is part of what's so frustrating. I'll try the Wednesday afternoon timeframe tomorrow.
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Alejandro Castro
Just wanted to say hang in there!! Mine was pending for 8 weeks and I was ready to give up. It finally went through last week with all backpay included. Sometimes they're just slow with no explanation. But definitely keep trying to reach someone!
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Aileen Rodriguez
•That gives me a little hope. Did yours just suddenly change to approved, or did you finally get through to someone who fixed it?
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Monique Byrd
After spending 3 weeks trying to get through to someone at NY unemployment, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an agent in under 10 minutes. It basically keeps dialing for you and puts you at the front of the queue when there's an opening. I was skeptical but desperate, and it actually worked. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. The site is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Totally worth it to finally get my pending issue resolved.
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Jackie Martinez
•Is that service legit? Sounds kinda sketchy to pay someone else just to make a phone call. Do they need access to your account or personal info?
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Monique Byrd
•They don't need any access to your unemployment account. They just connect the call and then you talk directly with the NYSDOL agent. I was hesitant too, but after weeks of frustration I decided to try it. The agent I spoke with fixed my pending issue during that first call.
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Lia Quinn
THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!!! I called 47 times in ONE DAY last month and couldn't get through. They WANT claims to stay pending because then they don't have to pay you!!!! Its a JOKE and noone in the government cares about regular people who need help. Try your state representetive's office, sometimes they can help but even THEY are useless half the time.
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Maggie Martinez
•While I understand your frustration, the system isn't designed to make people give up. They're genuinely overwhelmed with claims. But contacting your state representative is actually excellent advice - their offices often have direct contacts at NYSDOL who can escalate issues.
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Lia Quinn
•Oh please, if they wanted to fix it they would've hired more people by now! This has been going on for YEARS. But yeah, the state rep trick sometimes works if you get lucky.
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Haley Stokes
my claim was stuck forever too and i finally found out it was because my former employer contested it? but nobody told me until i finally got through. make sure you have your employment records handy when you finally reach someone. and maybe check if theres anything weird with your previous job that might be holding things up?
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Aileen Rodriguez
•That's a good point. I left my last job on good terms, but who knows what they might have said to unemployment. I'll definitely have all my documents ready when I finally get through. Thanks for the tip!
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Aileen Rodriguez
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! I tried that Claimyr service that someone mentioned above, and I was honestly shocked when it actually connected me with a rep in about 15 minutes. Turns out there was an issue with my identity verification that nobody had bothered to tell me about. The agent was able to fix it right on the call, and she said my claim should be processed within 2-3 business days with all backpay included. Such a relief after 10 weeks of stress! Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
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Alejandro Castro
•That's awesome! So glad you got it resolved. Hoping your money comes through quickly!
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Zane Gray
•nice! was just about to suggest trying that service too. glad it worked out, nothing worse than being stuck in limbo.
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