NY unemployment office impossible to reach by phone - missing several payments

The NY unemployment phone system is completely broken right now. I was in the same boat last month with 2 missing payments. After trying for days, I finally got through using this service called Claimyr. It basically calls for you and alerts you when it gets through to an agent. Saved me days of frustrating redials. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - their website is claimyr.com. Once I actually spoke to someone, they fixed my missing payments issue in about 10 minutes. It was something about a system flag on my account that only a rep could remove.

same thing happened 2 me last week!! so frustrating!! i tried emailing them instead but haven't heard back yet. try the online message center maybe?

The current call volume at NYSDOL is extremely high due to a system update they implemented in early 2025. Here are a few strategies that might help: 1. Try calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open 2. Use the online message center through your NY.gov account (though response times are currently 7-10 business days) 3. Contact your state representative - they often have dedicated channels for unemployment issues 4. Check if there are any ID verification issues requiring action in your online account In your account, navigate to the "Payment History" section and check if there's any specific status code next to the missing payments. This can provide clues about what's causing the hold-up.

"PNDG-ADJ" means "Pending Adjudication" - your claim needs to be reviewed by a claims examiner before payment can be released. This usually happens when there's a discrepancy in your certification answers, a question about your work search activities, or sometimes just random selection for review. Unfortunately, this does require speaking with a representative. Another approach: try calling your local DOL career center instead of the main unemployment line. Sometimes they can help with unemployment issues or transfer you internally, bypassing the main queue.

This is EXACTLY why the NY unemployment system is a complete JOKE. They set it up so it's IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone, then your benefits get stuck in limbo, and there's NOTHING you can do about it!!! I went through this EXACT nightmare in January and had to wait SIX WEEKS to get my money. SIX WEEKS!!! The system is DESIGNED to frustrate people so they'll give up. The whole thing is a scam to avoid paying benefits!!!!!

have u tried using the callback feature on there website? i think its under contact us somewhere and they can schedule a time 2 call u back. worked for me once but that was last year so idk if its still working

I was having the same frustrations trying to call about my claim issues last week. I started calling 10-15 times every single day and getting nowhere. My sister told me about that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier, and I tried it yesterday morning. Got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes! The agent said my account had a verification flag that needed to be manually cleared. They fixed it right away and my pending payments should be deposited by Monday. Just wanted to share that it worked for me too.

my cousin works for the state (not unemployment but different dept) & said they're training new staff but its taking forever. try early monday morning maybe?

Update: I decided to try Claimyr this morning after reading the recommendations here. Got connected to an agent within an hour! The agent was actually really helpful and said my account had a "pending adjudication" flag due to an employer response that needed manual review. She cleared it right away and said my payments should process within 2-3 business days. So relieved! Thanks everyone for your suggestions.