Need to reach NY unemployment by phone - what numbers actually work?

After struggling for over a week with the same problem, I finally got through using Claimyr. It's this service that calls for you and gets you in line with an agent. The phone system is absolutely brutal right now, but this actually worked. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE or go to claimyr.com - worth it when your claim is stuck and you need help fast.

Try calling exactly at 8:00am when they open. Like literally start dialing at 7:59. Thats how i got thru last month

The main unemployment line (1-888-209-8124) is still the correct number, but their phone system is completely overwhelmed. Some strategies that have worked for people: 1. Call at 8:00am exactly when they open 2. Try calling on Wednesday or Thursday (slightly lower call volume) 3. Use the callback feature if offered (though it's not always available) 4. Make sure your claim information is correctly filled out online first, as many issues can be resolved there Also, be aware that if your claim shows 'pending review,' calling may not speed things up if they're waiting on employer verification or identity verification. What exactly does your claim status show online?

i havent been able to gt thru either its ridiculous i got bills to pay!! been trying for 2 weeks!!!!

I had the same problem last month and found that if you select the Spanish option and then just speak English when an agent answers, you'll get through much faster. The wait times are way shorter on that line and all agents are bilingual. I got through in about 20 minutes that way versus never getting through on the English line.

@OP - to answer your question about Claimyr: After I used it, I waited about 30 minutes before an agent was on the line. Way better than the days I spent trying to call myself. My claim was showing pending for similar reasons, turned out they needed one more document they never told me about. Got it sorted in one call after the agent got on the line.

Have you tried the messaging system on the website? I had problems calling too so I sent a detailed message through my online account. Someone called ME back within 2 days. Worth a try!

It's in your NY.gov ID account. After you log in, look for "Messages" on the left menu. Then click "Compose New" and select the category for your issue. Be SUPER specific about your claim number and what's happening.

The NYSDOL phone system is an absolute nightmare right now. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through before I finally reached someone. What worked for me was calling at 8:00am sharp, pressing 2 for existing claims, then 1 for payment issues, then 2 again. Don't give up if it says high call volume - sometimes it says that but still puts you in queue if you stay on the line. I finally got through last Friday and they fixed my issue in 5 minutes after weeks of stress. Good luck!!!

Following up on this - if your claim has been pending for 3+ weeks and you've submitted all required documentation, you should definitely try to speak with an agent. The normal processing time is 2-3 weeks currently, so being just outside that window means it might need manual review. When you do get through, ask specifically about any "outstanding issues" on your claim and whether there are any documents or information they're waiting for.

I feel your pain! I went through the exact same thing last year. What finally worked for me was combining a few strategies: I called at exactly 8:00am on a Wednesday (using the main number 1-888-209-8124), and when I got the "high call volume" message, I just stayed on the line instead of hanging up. It took about 45 minutes but I eventually got through to someone. Also, make sure you have your claim confirmation number, SSN, and any reference numbers from documents you submitted ready - they'll ask for all of that right away. The agent was actually really helpful once I got through and resolved my pending status in about 10 minutes. Don't give up - you will get through eventually!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my claim has been stuck on "pending review" for over a month! Reading through all these suggestions, it sounds like the Claimyr service that @Logan Scott mentioned might be worth trying since the regular phone lines are basically impossible. Has anyone else had success with that approach? I'm also going to try the Wednesday 8am strategy that @Dylan Wright suggested, but honestly at this point I'm willing to try anything that actually works. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to speak to someone about our own claims!

I actually did contact my state representative's office about 2 weeks ago when my claim got stuck, and it was surprisingly helpful! I called the local office of my Assembly member, explained the situation to a staff person, and they said they deal with unemployment issues all the time. They took down my claim number and contact info, then reached out to DOL on my behalf. Within 3 business days, someone from unemployment called ME directly to resolve the issue - turns out they needed additional verification from my previous employer that never got processed properly. The whole thing was resolved in that one call. I'd definitely recommend trying this route alongside the other strategies people mentioned. You can find your representative at nyassembly.gov by entering your address. It's worth a shot when you're stuck in limbo like this!