NY unemployment website down - can't certify after claim approval
I just got a call saying my claim is complete and I need to certify for my weekly NY unemployment benefits, but labor.nys.gov isn't working at all! I've called literally EVERY number listed on that site and all I get is automated messages about 'experiencing extremely high call volume.' I'm beyond frustrated at this point. I need to speak to an actual human being! My rent is due next week and if my claim gets delayed or denied because of THEIR website issues, I'm going to lose it. Does anyone know how to get through to a real person? Any special tricks or best times to call? I'm desperate here and don't want to mess up my claim over something that isn't even my fault! 😤
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Dmitry Popov
The website has been having issues since they did that system update last month. Try accessing it using a different browser (Firefox sometimes works when Chrome doesn't) or clear your cache and cookies first. As for reaching someone by phone, the best time is right when they open at 8:00am - you need to start calling at 7:58am and keep redialing. Monday and Tuesday are absolutely the worst days to call. Thursday afternoon is sometimes better.
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Sofia Ramirez
•Thanks for the tips! I tried Firefox and it got me to the login page but then crashed again when I entered my info. I'll try the early morning calls tomorrow. Do you know if there's any penalty for certifying late if it's because of their technical issues?
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Ava Rodriguez
You NEED to document everything! Take screenshots of error messages, write down the times you called and any reference numbers. If your certification is late because of technical issues, you can request a backdating, but you need proof it wasn't your fault. Also, sometimes the mobile version of the site works when the desktop version doesn't - have you tried that?
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Sofia Ramirez
•That's smart, I'll start taking screenshots. I tried on my phone too but the page won't even load. This is so frustrating!
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Miguel Ortiz
omg same thing happened to me last week!! so annoying. try calling the alternate number 888-209-8124 instead of the main one. thats how i finally got thru
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Sofia Ramirez
•I tried that number too! It just gives me the same recording about high call volume. How many times did you have to call before getting through?
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Miguel Ortiz
•like a million times lol. kept hanging up and redialing for almost 2 hours
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Zainab Khalil
I was in this EXACT situation in January. Spent THREE DAYS trying to get through on the phone. The website is a complete disaster after that "upgrade" they did. It's almost like they WANT people to give up!!!! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent. It cost money but saved me days of frustration and got my issue resolved in like 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Sofia Ramirez
•I've never heard of that before. Does it actually work? At this point I'm desperate enough to try anything
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Zainab Khalil
•Yes it worked for me - they called me back when they got an agent on the line. With how backed up the system is right now, it was worth it to not spend days redialing.
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QuantumQuest
•Sounds fishy... why would you need to pay to talk to unemployment? They're a govt service we already pay for with taxes!
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Zainab Khalil
•It's not the unemployment office charging you - it's a third-party service that keeps calling for you automatically. Believe me, I was skeptical too but after 3 days of constant busy signals I was desperate.
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Connor Murphy
The system has been a complete NIGHTMARE since the 2025 update. I work with a community aid group helping people with unemployment issues, and here's what I can tell you: 1. Website capacity is worst between 10am-2pm and after 5pm. Try very early morning or mid-afternoon. 2. If you can't certify online, you CAN certify by phone at 888-581-5812 (the automated system, not the one with agents). 3. There IS a grace period for certification issues due to technical problems, but you need to document everything. 4. If you're approved but can't certify, your claim won't be denied - you might just have a delay in payment. Hang in there!
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Sofia Ramirez
•Thank you so much for the detailed info! I'll try the automated certification line. Do you know how many weeks back they'll let me certify if I can't get through immediately?
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Connor Murphy
•You can typically claim for the previous 4 weeks without issues. Beyond that, you'll need to speak with an agent directly and explain the technical difficulties. Make sure to write down the dates/times you tried to access the system.
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Yara Haddad
this happns every feburary lol. they always doing "maintenance" that breaks eveyrthing. last year took me 3 weeks to get through to someone
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Sofia Ramirez
•3 WEEKS?? I can't wait that long! My bills are due next week!
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QuantumQuest
My sisters boyfriends brother works for unemployment (not in NY but still) and he says their whole computer system is from like 1995 and crashes ALL THE TIME. They know it's a problem but the state won't pay to fix it properly. They just keep patching it together. It's ridiculous.
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Miguel Ortiz
•i heard they spent millions on the new system and it STILL doesn't work lmao govt efficiency at its finest
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Dmitry Popov
UPDATE: Just a heads-up to everyone in this thread - I've been told by several claimants that the website is working again as of this morning. They apparently fixed whatever was causing the crashes. @OP - try logging in now and see if you can certify! If not, definitely try that automated phone certification line that was mentioned.
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Sofia Ramirez
•OMG IT'S WORKING!! Just logged in and was able to certify for the week! Thanks everyone for your help and advice. What a relief!!
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Yara Haddad
•cool! make sure you certify every week from now on even if site is acting weird. use the phone system as backup
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