Need backdoor method to reach a NY unemployment rep after 30+ calls

Try calling exactly at 8:00am when they open. I've had better luck getting through first thing in the morning. Also, don't press any buttons for the first menu - wait until it asks again, then choose option 1, then 3, then 2. That route seems to have shorter queues.

same problen here for 3 weeks. the system is rigged to keep us out i swear

After struggling for weeks with the same issue, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call on your behalf and then connect you when they reach a rep. Saved me days of frustration. You can check them out at claimyr.com or see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - totally worth it for me since I needed to resolve an issue that was holding up several weeks of payments.

i tried calling at diffrent times of day for 2 weeks straight!! early morning worked best for me (like 8:01 AM) but still took 12 calls before i got thru. the whole systems a JOKE!! good luck

Here's what I recommend based on my experience working with NYSDOL claims: 1. Call at 8:00 AM sharp or between 4:45-5:00 PM 2. Avoid calling on Mondays and Fridays (highest volume days) 3. Have your NY.gov ID, PIN, and the last 4 of your SSN ready 4. When you reach the menu, press 1, then wait for the next menu and press 5, then 2, then 1 5. If disconnected, immediately call back If your issue is urgent and related to payments being held, you can also try messaging them through your NY.gov account. Click on "Messages" and select "Submit Documents" to explain your issue. In some cases, they'll resolve it without a call. Let me know if you need any other guidance!

have u tried contacting ur state rep? thats what i did after 3 weeks of no luck. their office contacted unemployment for me & i got a call back in 2 days.

I've been dealing with the NY unemployment system for years (unfortunately), and I've found several methods that increase your chances of getting through: 1. Use multiple phones to call simultaneously if possible 2. The Thursday mid-morning sweet spot (around 10:30 AM) often has lower call volumes 3. If you get the "call volume too high" message, hang up and immediately redial rather than waiting 4. When you do get in the queue, put your phone on speaker and do something else - the wait can be 2+ hours Also, check if your issue can be resolved through the online messaging system. Many problems that previously required a call can now be handled through your NY.gov account's secure messaging.

the system hung up on me 22 TIMES TODAY!!!! why don't they hire more people????? this is INSANE.

After trying all the tricks mentioned here (calling early, specific menu options, etc.), I still couldn't get through. The Claimyr service I mentioned earlier was literally the only thing that worked. Within 20 minutes of using them, I was talking to an actual person who fixed my issue. Just sharing what worked for me since I know how frustrating this can be.

One more tip: when you do finally get through to someone, make sure you get their name and ID number. If they don't resolve your issue completely, you can reference that specific conversation in follow-up calls. Helps maintain continuity and prevents the "I don't see any notes about that" problem.

UPDATE: Success! After trying for days, I finally got through this morning. For anyone else struggling, here's what worked for me: 1. Called at exactly 8:00am 2. Used the menu sequence that people suggested here (1-5-2-1) 3. Still got disconnected 3 times 4. On the 4th try, got put on hold for 1.5 hours but FINALLY spoke to someone They fixed my issue in about 10 minutes once I got through. Apparently there was a "verification flag" on my account that needed to be removed. Thanks everyone for your help!