NY unemployment phone hours and secret number trick to reach agents faster
Does anyone know exactly what time the NY unemployment phone lines open this morning? I need to call about my pending claim that's been stuck for 2 weeks. I remember someone once telling me there's a trick after the automated message plays - like pressing a specific number sequence that gets you to a specialist faster instead of waiting for hours. Has anyone tried this recently? Does that technique still work in 2025? I'm desperate to get through to someone before my rent is due next week.
16 comments
Join the conversation
Steven Adams
The official hours for NY unemployment phone line is 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. But honestly the trick is calling right at 8:00:00 am sharp. Not 8:01, not 8:05. Exactly when they open. Set ur alarm for 7:55 and start dialing at 7:59:50!
0 coins
Grace Durand
•Thanks! Definitely gonna set my alarm. Do you know anything about the number sequence trick though? I swear someone told me there's a way to bypass the wait once you're in the system.
0 coins
Alice Fleming
I've been calling NY unemployment for 3 weeks now (missing payments since January 15th) and I finally got through yesterday. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call exactly at 8:00am when they open 2. When the automated system starts, press 1, then 3, then wait for the next prompt and press 2, then 9 3. It'll ask for your PIN - enter that 4. When it starts listing options, press # twice quickly This somehow got me to a different queue with only a 15 minute wait instead of the usual "we're experiencing high call volume" message that hangs up on you.
0 coins
Grace Durand
•THANK YOU!!! This is exactly what I was trying to remember! I'll try this tomorrow morning at 8am sharp. Appreciate you sharing the exact sequence!
0 coins
Hassan Khoury
I dunno about any "secret numbers" but I do know they HANG UP on you if the queue is full which is THE MOST FRUSTRATING THING EVER!!!! Been trying for 5 days and can't get through. System is completely broken in 2025 just like it was in 2024 and 2023...
0 coins
Victoria Stark
•Yeah the unemployment phone system is totally broken by design. They make it hard to reach someone so people just give up. I've tried calling 27 times in one day before and never got through.
0 coins
Benjamin Kim
The official NYSDOL Telephone Claims Center hours are 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. There is no officially published "trick" to reach agents faster, but there are a few strategies that might help: 1. Call precisely at 8:00 AM when the lines open 2. Mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) tends to have slightly lower call volumes 3. Avoid calling on Mondays and right after holidays 4. Have all your information ready when you call 5. Make sure your phone has a full charge and good reception The system is designed to route calls based on need and volume, so any "special sequence" would likely be temporary at best as the system is updated regularly.
0 coins
Grace Durand
•Thanks for the official info. I'll definitely try first thing at 8am tomorrow. It's so frustrating though - my claim has been pending for 2 weeks and I really need to speak to someone directly.
0 coins
Samantha Howard
I tried calling 15 times last month for my claim issue and the automated system just kept hanging up on me because "high call volume" blah blah. Total waste of time. Finally I used this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to an agent. It costs money but honestly saved me days of frustration. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Basically they navigate the phone system for you and call you back when they have an agent ready. Worked for me when nothing else did.
0 coins
Grace Durand
•I've never heard of this but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. My landlord isn't going to accept "the unemployment office is busy" as a reason for late rent. I'll check out that demo, thanks!
0 coins
Megan D'Acosta
The button sequence trick doesn't always work because they change the system every few months to prevent people from skipping the line. The one that @UnemploymentExpert posted (1-3-2-9-PIN-##) worked for me last week but might not work today. These "shortcuts" spread by word of mouth and then NYSDOL catches on and changes things.
0 coins
Victoria Stark
•This is so true! I had a sequence that worked perfectly in December and by January it was sending me to a completely different department. They're onto us lol
0 coins
Hassan Khoury
DONT WASTE UR TIME WITH BUTTON TRICKS!!! They always change the system and what worked for someone else 2 weeks ago probably won't work now. I wasted three days trying different "secret codes" people told me about. The ONLY thing that actually works is calling exactly at 8:00:00 AM and having good luck that day.
0 coins
Grace Durand
•Yeah I'm definitely setting my alarm for 7:55am. I'll try the button sequence that worked for someone last week but won't get my hopes up. This is all so frustrating.
0 coins
Alice Fleming
Update: Since my previous post, I've talked with an agent twice. The sequence I mentioned (1-3-2-9-PIN-##) still worked as of yesterday (May 2nd, 2025). The agent I spoke with actually told me they're aware of these "workarounds" but they can't update the phone system too often because it costs the state money. So these tricks tend to work for 1-3 months before they change things.
0 coins
Grace Durand
•Thanks for the update! That's really helpful to know. I'll definitely try your sequence tomorrow morning at 8am sharp. Fingers crossed I can finally get through to someone about my claim!
0 coins