NY unemployment owes me 5 weeks of backpay - I'm desperate for tips on collecting

Im in the exact same situation. Its been 4 months and they owe me 8 weeks of payments. The worst part is every agent tells me something different. One says my ID verification failed (even tho I uploaded everything), another says they need additional documents no one asked for, and the last one said everything looks fine and they just need to 'release the hold.' Still nothing. The system is completely broken.

After weeks of getting nowhere with the regular unemployment phone line, I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a total game changer. They basically keep calling the unemployment office for you and then connect you once they get through to a real person. Talking to an actual agent got my funds released within 48 hours after being stuck for over a month. Best money I've ever spent to get my benefits flowing again. They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The key is to document EVERYTHING. Every time you call, write down the date, time, who you spoke with, and what they said. Take screenshots of your account showing you certified. Then when you do get through, tell them you have documentation of all your attempts to resolve this and that you'll be contacting your state representative if it's not fixed immediately. This worked for me after 3 months of getting nowhere.

Have you tried contacting your state assembly person? Thats what finally worked for me. Their office has direct contacts at unemployment who can actually fix things. It took about 2 weeks after I reached out to my assembly person, but they got all my backpay released. Google '[your county] new york state assembly' to find yours.

Here's everything I know about getting unemployment backpay in NY after dealing with this nightmare system for months: First, you need to be persistent but strategic. Calling at 8:00-8:30am exactly when they open gives you the best chance of getting through. Mondays and Tuesdays are their busiest days, so try Wednesday-Friday instead. If you keep hitting dead ends with regular agents, ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist who has more authority to release payments. Be extremely polite but firm that you need this resolved today. If you've certified properly for all those weeks and there's no fraud or identity issues, the money is technically approved - just stuck in their system. Sometimes the magic phrase is "I need to speak with someone about releasing my approved but unpaid benefits." I've also had success with Claimyr.com when I couldn't get through on my own. They keep calling for you and connect you once they reach an agent. Saved me hours of frustration. As a last resort, contact your state assembly person AND your state senator (do both). They have special liaisons at the unemployment office who can escalate cases. Don't give up - the money is rightfully yours and they HAVE to pay you eventually!

anyone else notice how the ny unemployment website always seems to have "technical difficulties" right when you need to reach them most? its almost like they do it on purpose to avoid paying people 🤔

Check if you have an outstanding questionnaire or form to complete. Sometimes they don't notify you properly when they need additional info. Log into your account and check the 'Messages' section. I had backpay held up for 2 months because of a questionnaire I never knew about.

Claimyr got me through after 2 weeks of trying to call myself. It's basically a service that waits on hold for you and then calls you once they get someone on the line. I was skeptical but it actually worked and I got my 7 weeks of backpay the same day I talked to an agent. Check them out at claimyr.com - saved my sanity for sure.

The NYSDOL still owes me $3200 from last summer! I've given up at this point tbh. The system is completely rigged against us regular folks. Good luck but don't get your hopes up.

had a similar issue and what worked for me was sending a formal email to nysdol.commissioner@labor.ny.gov explaining the situation in detail. Include your name, last 4 of ssn, and claim ID number. I got a call back within 3 days and they fixed my backpay issue. Worth trying!

sounds like you experienced the dreaded "account review" - happens to SO many people. i was in review for 11 weeks!!! what finally worked was calling the fraud department directly instead of the main unemployment line. they cleared my account in 15 minutes after months of getting nowhere with regular agents. try 888-598-2077 (press 1 then 6

I went through this EXACT thing back in November. What worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an agent (claimyr.com) and then specifically requesting to speak with a supervisor. The regular agents just read from scripts and can't actually help with complex issues. The supervisor was able to see exactly why my payments were held and fixed it on the spot. Got my 6 weeks of backpay like 3 days later.

anyone notice that ny unemployment is super quick to start taking money out of your account when they think they overpaid, but when THEY owe YOU money suddenly everything moves at glacial speed? 🤡