NYS DOL Account Stuck on Pending Status - Can't Get Through on Phone
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble with my unemployment benefits. The automated message says my account is pending, but I've been certifying every week since I applied. I've tried calling at 8am every day for weeks but can't get through. Anyone else dealing with this or have any advice?
24 comments


Charlee Coleman
Ugh, I'm in the same boat. Been pending for over a month now. It's so frustrating! Have you tried emailing them? I heard sometimes that works better than calling.
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Sara Hellquiem
β’I haven't tried emailing yet. Do you have the address? I'll try anything at this point π©
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Charlee Coleman
β’I think it's unemployment@labor.ny.gov but double check on their website. Good luck!
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Liv Park
β’Emailing didn't work for me. Took them 3 weeks to respond and it was just a generic message π
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Leeann Blackstein
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! I used this site called claimyr.com. It's a calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, and then sends the call to your phone when a live agent picks up. It costs $20, but it worked for me. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Ryder Greene
β’Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Carmella Fromis
β’I'm skeptical. Why should we have to pay to talk to unemployment? That's ridiculous.
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Leeann Blackstein
β’I get the skepticism, but I was desperate after weeks of trying. It actually worked for me and saved me hours of frustration. Worth it IMO.
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Theodore Nelson
β’Can confirm, I used it too. Felt weird paying but I got through in like 30 mins after weeks of nothing.
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AaliyahAli
Have you checked your spam folder? Sometimes important emails from DOL end up there. Also, make sure you're answering those silly ID verification texts they send out.
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Ellie Simpson
The whole system is a joke. They need to hire more people or upgrade their ancient technology. We're all suffering because they can't get their act together. π€¬
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Arjun Kurti
β’Preach! π It's 2025 and they're still using tech from like 1995. No wonder everything's always broken.
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RaΓΊl Mora
Here's what worked for me: 1. Call exactly at 7:59am. Sometimes you can get in before the rush. 2. If that doesn't work, try calling at odd times like 10:37am or 2:13pm. Less competition. 3. Use multiple phones if you can. Increase your chances. 4. Be persistent. It took me 43 calls in one day, but I finally got through. 5. When you do get through, ask for a tier 2 specialist immediately. 6. Have all your docs ready - they might ask for weird stuff. 7. Be polite but firm. These folks are overworked but they can help. Hope this helps someone! Don't give up!
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Sara Hellquiem
β’Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely try these tips. Fingers crossed π€
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Margot Quinn
β’43 calls in one day?! That's insane. But I guess that's what it takes now. Thanks for sharing your strategy!
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Evelyn Kim
Anyone else notice that ever since they "upgraded" the system last month, everything's been even worse? Classic government efficiency π
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Diego Fisher
β’Omg yes! I thought it was just me. That upgrade was more like a downgrade lol
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Henrietta Beasley
Pro tip: if you're having trouble with the website, try using Internet Explorer. I know it sounds crazy, but their system seems to work better with older browsers for some reason.
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Lincoln Ramiro
β’Wait, Internet Explorer still exists? π
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Henrietta Beasley
β’Lol I know right? But I swear it works. The DOL website is stuck in 2005 apparently π€·ββοΈ
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Faith Kingston
Has anyone tried contacting their local representative? I've heard sometimes they can help push things through.
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Emma Johnson
Just a heads up, I heard they're doing a big sweep of pending accounts next week. Might be worth trying to call again then. Good luck everyone!
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Liam Brown
β’Where did you hear this? Can you share a source?
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Emma Johnson
β’My cousin works for the DOL. Can't say more than that, but thought I'd pass it along.
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