Need NY unemployment direct phone number - confused about new claim filing and quarters?

The main NY unemployment phone number is 1-888-209-8124, but it's almost impossible to get through most days. For your quarters question - yes, NY uses a base period system that looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you haven't worked since January, you might still qualify depending on exactly when you worked and how much you earned during those previous quarters. Have you tried filing online first? It's usually much easier than calling.

That number never works lol. I called 37 times yesterday and got hung up on every single time.

I was in the exact same boat last month - needed to file a new claim after not working since December. The quarters thing confused me too, but I finally figured it out. For a claim filed in May 2025, they look at January 2024 through December 2024 as your base period. You need to have worked in at least two calendar quarters during that time and earned at least $2,975 total (the minimum amount changed this year). The problem is getting through to actually file. After wasting days trying that main number, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an unemployment agent in about 20 minutes. It was seriously worth it - check out their demo video at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE or go to claimyr.com. I was skeptical but it actually worked when nothing else did.

It's definitely getting harder to reach someone at NYSDOL. Regarding your quarters question, here's a simple breakdown: 1. Standard Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing 2. Alternate Base Period: Last 4 completed calendar quarters before filing You need to have worked at least 2 calendar quarters in your base period and earned at least $2,975 total, plus at least $2,400 in one of those quarters. If you're filing in May 2025, your Standard Base Period would be January 2024 through December 2024. If you don't qualify using that period, they'll automatically check your Alternate Base Period (April 2024 through March 2025). I hope this helps clarify things!

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THE MAIN NUMBER!!!! They NEVER answer and when they do they just transfer you and hang up!!!! I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through before I finally got someone who could help me. The system is BROKEN and they don't care!!!!!

try calling right when they open at 8am thats what worked for me

just weekdays. and good luck, even at 8am theres already like 500 people calling

@profile6 Yes, Claimyr actually does work - I was super skeptical too. I think it basically just auto-redials for you using their system until it gets through, then calls you when it connects. Saved me days of frustration. The NY unemployment phone system is literally designed to make you give up.

One more thing to add - since you haven't worked since January, make sure you have documentation about why your employment ended. They'll ask for that during the application process, and having it ready will make things go much smoother once you actually reach someone.

anyone know if they open on memorial day? need to file asap

Update: I tried the Claimyr service that was mentioned and got through to a real person at unemployment in about 30 minutes! They confirmed I should qualify under the Alternate Base Period and helped me file my claim. Thanks everyone for your help!

They said it would take about 2-3 weeks for the claim to process, and then I should get payments weekly after that as long as I certify. Feels good to finally have this started!

That's good advice above - definitely keep certifying every week even while waiting for approval. And make sure to check your account/email regularly for any requests for additional information. Those have strict deadlines and can delay your claim if missed.