NY unemployment stalled for 5 months - need a lawyer to make them move?

I had the same problem but even worse - waited 7 months!!! What finally worked for me was using Claimyr.com. It's this service that calls for you and connects you with an actual human at unemployment. Best money I ever spent - talking to a rep got my benefits released within days after months of nothing. They have a video showing how it works too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Lawyers cost $$$ and unless you have a HUGE claim, probably not worth it. My brother-in-law is an attorney and told me unemployment cases are notoriously hard to push forward unless theres clear evidence of wrongdoing. most lawyers wont even take them tbh

Here's what you need to do to get your NY unemployment claim unstuck (I was in your exact situation last year): First, documentation is key. Keep a detailed log of EVERY attempt to contact them - dates, times, confirmation numbers, everything. This will be crucial later. Second, expand your outreach. Don't just call the main unemployment line - that's a black hole. Contact your state representative and senator. Many have staff dedicated to unemployment issues. Email them with your claim details (minus SSN/personal identifiers) and specifically ask for intervention. Third, try the callback feature through claimyr.com - this was literally the only way I could actually talk to a human being after 4 months of trying. Once I got someone on the phone, my claim was resolved in 20 minutes. Fourth, if you have any documentation from your employer confirming your situation (layoff notice, etc.), have that ready when you finally reach someone. Fifth, check if there are any specific identity verification issues. Many claims are stuck in limbo because of [ID.me](https://ID.me) verification problems that nobody tells you about. Don't give up - the system is designed to be frustrating, but persistence pays off. Getting a real human on the phone is the key turning point for most people.

omg plz dont waste ur money on a lawyer yet. ny unemployment is a complete trash fire rn. try sending a message to ur state assembly person first, seriously. my claim was stuck for 3 months and my assembly dude got it fixed in like a week once i reached out 🙌

Four months?? I've been waiting for 8 MONTHS and still nothing!!! The system is completely broken. I've filed complaints with the DOL Inspector General, written to my senator, and even filed a FOIL request (NY's version of FOIA). Nothing works. We need a class action lawsuit not individual lawyers.

CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR NOW!!! I cannot stress this enough. After 6 frustrating months my claim was fixed in 3 DAYS after contacting my state senator's office. They have special contacts at unemployment who actually respond to them. Skip the lawyer and go straight to your elected officials.

Most of these claims stuck in limbo are because of suspected fraud. Not saying YOU committed fraud, but the system flags accounts for the smallest things. Missing info, typos, similar addresses, multiple claims from same IP (like apartments), etc. When u finally reach a human they can usually clear the fraud flags in minutes.

Has he tried calling right when they open? I had to call at exactly 8:00am like 15 times in a row but eventually got through. The afternoon calls are useless, everyone's trying then.

They're hoping you'll give up. That's literally their strategy. The longer they delay, the more people get frustrated and stop pursuing their claims. DON'T GIVE UP. That's exactly what they want.

Have you tried the online chat? Sometimes its actually faster than calling (which is ridiculous but whatever). I got thru after waiting 2 hrs but at least i didn't have to keep redialing.

There's a phone service called claimyr that got me through to unemployment when I was desperate. Google it - worth every penny when you're waiting on thousands in benefits.

The legal aid society sometimes takes unemployment cases for free if you qualify financially. Maybe worth looking into before paying for a private attorney.

check if ur husbands employer is contesting the claim. my boss was being shady and telling unemployment i quit when i was laid off. took forever to sort out.

I got my claim fixed by literally showing up in person at a DOL office. They say not to do this but I was desperate. The security guard tried to turn me away but I (politely) refused to leave until someone helped me. Got my issue resolved same day after months of waiting on the phone.

Make sure his claim isnt stuck because of a simple identity verification issue. So many people are waiting for months when all they need to do is upload an ID document or verify something basic. With no way to know thats the problem!