NY unemployment holding my payments for 8 weeks - anyone get through to management?

Same boat. Been waiting since January for backpay. 11 weeks now with nothing. Every time I call they say something different. First it was 'missing documents' (which I sent twice), then 'system flag', then 'needs specialist review'. Last agent told me to just keep waiting. I'm about to be evicted and my car was repossessed last week. NY unemployment system is completely broken.

After being stuck on hold forever trying to reach management, I finally found a solution that worked for me! I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically calls unemployment for you and then connects you when a real person answers. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast I couldn't believe it. Honestly wish I'd known about this months ago instead of burning vacation days sitting on hold. Check out this video too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Pro tip - call EXACTLY at 8:00:00 am when they open. Not 8:01, not 7:59. Exactly when the system opens. That's how I finally got through to someone who could actually help. Also, don't take no for an answer when they say they can't transfer you - be polite but FIRM that you need to speak with a supervisor.

Have you tried calling their alternate number? The main line is always jammed, but I had better luck with 888-209-8124. If that doesn't work, try pressing different options than you normally would. Sometimes the fraud department or employer services lines have shorter wait times and they can still transfer you internally.

The NYSDOL is a complete clown show 🤡 I was in adjudication for 6 months before getting paid. SIX. MONTHS. And then they randomly deposited everything at once with zero notice or explanation. The only thing that worked for me was filing a complaint with the state AG's office. Suddenly my case was 'reviewed' within a week after 6 months of nothing.

Here's what finally worked for me after 10 weeks of hell with NY unemployment: First, document EVERYTHING. Every call, every agent's name, every promise made, every excuse given. Keep a detailed log. Second, be strategic about when you call. Tuesday-Thursday between 10:30am-11:30am OR 2:30pm-3:30pm had the shortest wait times in my experience. Third, use multiple pressure points simultaneously: - File a complaint with the Department of Labor Inspector General - Contact your state Assembly member AND Senator (both, not just one) - File a complaint with the state Attorney General's office - Email the NYSDOL Commissioner directly (find email online) - Use social media - post publicly and tag NYSDOL and state officials Fourth, when all else fails, try claimyr.com - it's a service that will wait on hold for you and then connect you when an agent answers. It was honestly the best money I spent during this whole nightmare because I finally got through to someone who could actually help. Finally, when you DO get someone on the phone, be extremely polite but absolutely firm. Make it clear you're not getting off the phone until you have a resolution path. Hope this helps someone! The system is designed to make you give up, don't let them win.

its a quarterly review thing. they stopped my benefits too a few weeks ago to review my case. it was so stupid cause i had to wait like 5 weeks for them to basically just verify that im still eligable for the same benefits ive been getting all along. so annoying

Contact your state assembly person asap! I was waiting for 12 weeks with no movement on my claim. Emailed my state assembly rep's office with all my info, and within 4 days I got a call from a supervisor at unemployment who fixed everything on the spot. The assembly offices have special contacts inside NYSDOL who can get things done.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but when they put you in "management review" it usually means 4-8 weeks minimum before anything happens. I know because I just went through this exact situation. It's their way of clearing backlogs - basically putting people in a holding pattern.

Check if there's an ID verification hold on your account. I had a similar situation and it turned out there was a flag on my account for identity verification even though I'd already submitted all my documents. When I finally got through to someone, they saw that my documents were there but nobody had actually reviewed them. The agent manually verified my ID and my payments started flowing again within 48 hours.

u should try claimyr.com - literally just used it yesterday after seeing someone recommend it here. it calls unemployment for u and then rings your phone when someone picks up. got through to an agent in about 45 mins (they were on hold so i didnt have to be). agent fixed my issue right away once i explained everything.

I hate how they just cut people off without any warning or explanation. Like we don't have bills to pay or families to feed. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up on benefits they're legally entitled to. And they wonder why people lose faith in government... 😤