NY unemployment website down today? Can't access benefits portal at all

yep same here. been trying since 6:30 this morning. typical NYSDOL garbage systems always breaking down when people need them most!!

I just got through about 10 minutes ago after trying all morning. The site is definitely having issues but it's not completely down. Try these steps: 1. Clear your browser cache AND cookies (not just cache) 2. Use Chrome or Firefox (Edge gave me problems) 3. Try during off-peak hours if possible (before 7am or after 7pm) 4. If you get the login page but it freezes after entering info, wait 5-10 mins then try again without refreshing It took me about 5 attempts but finally got in and certified. The system is super slow once you're in though, so be patient.

their doing maintenance today. saw it on twitter, suppose to be back up by 3pm. they always pick the worst days for this stuff

I had this exact same problem this morning! After trying everything, I finally managed to get through to a live agent using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have this service that gets you past the busy signals - watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE) and decided to try it since I was desperate to submit before my deadline. The agent confirmed they're having widespread system issues today due to some database update that went wrong overnight. She said the tech team is working on it but no ETA for full resolution. The good news is she was able to manually process my certification over the phone, so I don't have to worry about missing my deadline. Might be worth trying if you can't get through by this afternoon and your deadline is tomorrow.

This happens EVERY SINGLE TIME there's a holiday weekend or when benefits are about to expire for a lot of people. I've been on unemployment 3 times in 10 years and it's always the same story! The system can't handle the traffic and they never bother upgrading it. LAST TIME this happened I missed my certification deadline and had to spend TWO WEEKS getting it sorted out and almost missed rent because of it. They should automatically extend all deadlines when their system fails but they never do unless you call and beg them. I'm trying to file a new claim and can't even get in to start the process. Beyond frustrated.

Update: The site appears to be working better now (4:30 PM). I just helped my roommate certify and while it's still slower than usual, we got through the entire process without errors. They might have resolved whatever was causing the major problems earlier.

has anyone noticed the site gets worse around the beginign of the month? i swear this is when it always has problems. probably cuz everyone's trying to certify at once for rent money

For anyone still experiencing issues, the NYSDOL has acknowledged the technical difficulties on their official channels. They've stated: 1. No one will be penalized for missing certification deadlines due to today's system issues 2. The main issue has been identified and partially resolved (database connection problems) 3. They recommend using the mobile app instead of the website if possible 4. If you receive error codes, document them and the time of your attempt If you absolutely need to certify today and cannot access the system, calling the Telephone Claims Center is an option, though wait times may be long. For fastest service, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM) tomorrow.