NY unemployment website keeps crashing when trying to file a new claim - help!

Its a nightmare. I had the same issue back in February. The website kept freezing right before the identity verification step. I eventually figured out it was because I was using Chrome - try Microsoft Edge (as much as it pains me to suggest it). For some reason the ny unemployment site works better there. Also try at like 3am when less people are on the site.

After struggling for weeks with the website, I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a live agent. They basically stay on hold for you and then connect you once there's a real person on the line. Talking to an agent got my benefits unlocked so fast after weeks of being stuck in the system. They also have this helpful video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The whole NY unemployment system is designed to frustrate people into giving up. It's not a bug, it's a feature. They save millions when people abandon their claims because the process is too difficult. Been thru this twice now and it never gets better.

Try filing super early in the morning like 5am or very late at night. The system tends to have fewer issues during off-peak hours. Also clear your cookies specifically for the NY.gov domain, not just general cache clearing. Something about their site gets confused with session cookies.

Here's a complete guide on how to get past the issues with the NY unemployment website (worked for me after 2 weeks of frustration): First, try using a completely different device if possible. Their system sometimes flags IP addresses that have made multiple failed attempts. Second, clear ALL browser data including cookies, cache, and browsing history specifically for the ny.gov domain. Third, try using a wired internet connection instead of WiFi if possible - their system sometimes times out with even minor connection fluctuations. Fourth, fill out everything in one session - don't save and come back. Have all your documents ready including employment history, addresses, etc. Fifth, if the website still fails, your only option is to speak with a live agent. After days of calling, I finally used claimyr.com and got through to someone who fixed my issues in minutes. Their system basically waits on hold for you then connects you to an agent. Sixth, once you talk to someone, get their ID number and direct extension if possible. This helps if you need to follow up. Hope this helps - the system is archaic but can be beaten with persistence!

anyone else notice that the site always seems to crash right after major layoff announcements? almost like they cant handle the traffic spikes when lots of people try to file at once 🤔

Update your browser! The NYS unemployment website is not compatible with older versions of chrome/firefox/safari. I had this exact issue and updating fixed it.

yo i was in the exact same boat last month. try calling instead of doing the online thing. yeah youll be on hold 4ever but at least u wont have the system crash at the last step and lose all your info. thats what happened to me 3 times b4 i gave up on the website

I work in IT and the NY unemployment site is running on ancient technology. Their main systems were built in the 80s using COBOL and they've just been patching it ever since. It's not designed to handle modern browsers or high traffic. Best bet is to use their mobile site instead of desktop - it's a different codebase and more reliable.

Have you tried incognito mode? Sometimes the ny unemployment site gets confused by cookies from previous sessions.

Ive been dealing with the exact same issue for weeks! Found out through a friend that you can actually have a state rep help you. Call your local assembly person's office and tell them you're having trouble with your unemployment claim. They have special contacts at DOL who can help push things through. Worked for me after everything else failed.

Just wanted to echo what some people already said - claimyr.com got me through to a real person after weeks of trying. talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast, they fixed some flag on my account that was causing all the errors. the website wasn't gonna solve it no matter how many times i tried.

Turn off all browser extensions!!! This was what fixed it for me. Something about ad blockers or privacy extensions confuses their site.

Smh ny unemployment system is literally from the stone age. Two suggestions: 1) contact your state senator's office. They can sometimes help push through stuck claims. 2) If all else fails go IN PERSON to a career center. Yes you'll wait forever but they can actually help with the website issues.

I feel your pain! I went through the exact same nightmare last year. Here's what finally worked for me after 4 weeks of frustration: 1. Use a completely different device/network if possible - sometimes their system blacklists IPs that have too many failed attempts 2. Try filing at 6am on a weekday - way less traffic on the system 3. Use Firefox in private browsing mode with ALL extensions disabled 4. Have everything ready beforehand - don't navigate away from the page at all once you start If the website still fails you, honestly your best bet is getting to a real person. I know everyone's mentioning Claimyr and I was skeptical too, but it actually worked for me when nothing else did. Got connected to an agent who fixed some backend issue that was causing my crashes. The whole system is designed to make you give up, but don't! You earned those benefits and deserve them. Keep pushing through and try multiple approaches. Good luck!

I went through this exact same nightmare for almost a month! What finally worked for me was using a VPN to get a different IP address (the free ProtonVPN worked fine) and then trying at around 2-3 AM when the system has less traffic. Also make sure you're using a completely clean browser session - I used Edge in InPrivate mode with no extensions. The key thing that saved me was having absolutely everything prepared beforehand - all employment dates, addresses for the last 18 months, bank info, etc. written down so I could fill it out super fast without any pauses. The moment you hesitate or navigate away, their ancient system seems to time out. If the website keeps failing even after trying different approaches, honestly just bite the bullet and use one of those callback services like Claimyr that people mentioned. I was skeptical too but after weeks of frustration it got me through to an actual person who fixed my account in 10 minutes. Sometimes the website issues are actually backend problems that only an agent can resolve. Don't give up - their system is intentionally frustrating but you can beat it with the right strategy!

I've been battling this exact same issue for over a month now! The system crashes every single time right at the identity verification step. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, using my phone, even went to the library to try their computers. Nothing works. What's really frustrating is that I can see other people are getting through somehow, but the system seems specifically designed to fail. I've called the hotline probably 50 times and either get disconnected after hours of waiting or get that automated message saying they're too busy to take calls. At this point I'm seriously considering some of the solutions people mentioned here like Claimyr or contacting my state rep's office. This is ridiculous - I paid into this system for years and now when I actually need it, I can't even file a basic claim. The stress of being unemployed is bad enough without having to fight a broken website every day. Has anyone had luck with the mobile site approach someone mentioned? Willing to try anything at this point because I'm running out of savings fast.