NYDOL nightmare: Missed week certification, no decision after a month, can't reach anyone. Help!
I'm so frustrated with the unemployment system right now. I missed certifying for a week of unemployment and now I'm in a mess. I've been trying to fix this for 3 weeks! I've sent emails, tried calling, and even used their stupid chatbot, but nothing's working. On top of that, I filed my claim over a month ago and still haven't gotten a decision. Anyone else dealing with this nightmare? Any advice on how to actually get through to a human being?
26 comments


Yara Abboud
Ugh, I feel your pain. The system is a total disaster rn. Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard that's the best time to get through.
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Connor Byrne
•Yeah, I've tried that. No luck. It's like they don't even pick up the phones anymore 🙄
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PixelPioneer
•Same boat here. I've been calling at opening for weeks. It's always busy or I get disconnected. This is ridiculous!
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Keisha Williams
•Pro tip: try calling on Wednesdays. For some reason, it seems less busy then. Good luck!
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Paolo Rizzo
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Amina Sy
•Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?
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Paolo Rizzo
•I was skeptical too, but I swear it worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Oliver Fischer
•20 bucks tho? That's steep when ur already broke from unemployment 😭
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Paolo Rizzo
•I get it, but for me it was worth it. I was losing my mind trying to get through.
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Natasha Ivanova
Here's what you need to do: 1. Document everything. Keep a log of all your attempts to contact them. 2. Try reaching out to your local state representative. They sometimes have direct lines to unemployment offices. 3. If you can, go to an unemployment office in person. It's a pain, but sometimes it's the only way. 4. Keep certifying for your weeks, even if you missed one. You can often backdate. 5. Check your spam folder regularly. Sometimes important emails end up there. 6. If all else fails, consider filing an appeal. It might get you in front of someone faster. Hang in there. The system is broken, but persistence usually pays off eventually.
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Connor Byrne
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely try reaching out to my rep. Didn't even think of that.
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NebulaNomad
•This is gold 💯 Mods should pin this comment!
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Javier Garcia
have u tried the online portal? sometimes u can backdate ur certification there w/o talking to anyone
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Emma Taylor
I'm telling you, the whole system is designed to make us give up. They're probably hoping people will just stop claiming so they can save money. It's all a scam! 🤬
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Malik Robinson
•Take off the tinfoil hat, bro. It's just underfunded and outdated, not a conspiracy.
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Emma Taylor
•Wake up, sheeple! 👀 You really think it's just 'underfunded'? LOL
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Isabella Silva
Hey, former unemployment office worker here. The backlog is insane right now due to budget cuts and outdated systems. My advice: be persistent, but also patient. Document everything. And yeah, reaching out to your local rep can sometimes work wonders.
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Connor Byrne
•Thanks for the insider perspective! Any other tips from your experience?
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Isabella Silva
•Sure! Always be polite to the workers, even if you're frustrated. They're dealing with a lot. And make sure you have all your info ready when you do get through. It'll make the process smoother for everyone.
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Ravi Choudhury
guys i just got thru after 2 months of trying!!! keep at it, it'll happen eventually!
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CosmosCaptain
•Congrats! 🎉 Any tips for the rest of us still stuck in limbo?
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Ravi Choudhury
•honestly, just pure luck. but i called at exactly 7:59am and somehow got in the queue. fingers crossed for all of u!
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Freya Johansen
This is why we need to vote for better funding for these systems. The technology is so outdated, it's no wonder they can't keep up.
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Omar Fawzi
lmao welcome to the club. been trying to sort out my claim since february. at this point im just gonna give up and live in the woods 🌲🏕️
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Chloe Wilson
•Can I join your woodland commune? Sounds better than dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare 😂
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Nia Davis
I've been in a similar situation and here's what finally worked for me: I started calling the regular unemployment line but also tried the employer services line (they sometimes transfer you and the wait is shorter). Also, if you have a local career center or One-Stop office, they often have direct contacts at the unemployment office that can help escalate your case. Don't give up - I know it's exhausting but you deserve those benefits! Keep detailed records of every call attempt with dates and times too.
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