Need urgent help contacting NY unemployment - phone nightmare continues

Welcome to the club. I've been fighting with them since February... the whole system is designed to make you give up. Best advice is to call right when they open at 8am sharp, but even then its like winning the lottery to get through.

After weeks of trying everything, I finally found a way to get through using claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold and calls you when there's a real agent on the line. Saved my sanity and talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast. Check it out, they have an explainer video too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Try calling your local state representative's office! I was in the same situation and my assembly person's office helped get it fixed. They have special contacts at unemployment that can push things through.

I know it sounds crazy but try calling at exactly 7:58am. The system starts accepting calls at 8 but if you dial in just before the official open time sometimes you can get in before the rush. Worked for me after 3 weeks of nothing.

Ok heres what I did that FINALLY worked after 3 months of hell with NY unemployment. First, document EVERYTHING. Every call, every message, take screenshots of your claim status. Second, try multiple contact methods simultaneously - don't just rely on phone calls. Send messages through the portal, email if possible, and yes call repeatedly but with strategy. Third, I found success using claimyr.com which basically waits on hold for you then transfers when a human picks up. Worth every penny since I was able to get all my back pay released. Fourth, if you're truly desperate, contact your state representative AND the Department of Labor ombudsman office. Having multiple pressure points helps. Fifth, when you do get someone, be polite but firm - ask for their name and ID number. Ask specifically what's causing the delay and what documentation they need. Don't give up! The system is frustrating by design but persistence pays off.

Have you tried the TTY/TDD number? Sometimes it's less busy than the main line. Also try the appeals department even if you don't have an appeal - sometimes they can transfer you to the right person.

Fun fact 🙃 The NY unemployment office answers approximatly 8% of calls that come in. Not a typo. EIGHT PERCENT. The other 92% get disconnected or hung up on. System working as designed fellas 🤡

the secret is to select the spanish option then press 9 for english when you get thru. the spanish queue is always shorter. learned that trick from this sub last year.

I sent a message every single day through the online system until they finally responded. Took 18 days but eventually someone called me. be SUPER specific in your messages and include your claim ID number.

I was in the exact same boat until I literally tweeted at the governor and the DOL with my story (no personal info). Got a DM asking for my claim # and someone called me the next day. Worth a shot if you're desperate.

Yo i went through this last month. The ONLY thing that worked was using claimyr.com - got me connected to a real person after weeks of trying. i was skeptical but my claim was fixed that same day.

call your state senator!! unemployment offices have special phone numbers for lawmakers. im serious. google ur address + state senator and call them tomorrow. explain ur situation and theyll help

im in the exact situation my man. its almost like they WANT us to suffer. been pending for 5 weeks now. rent due. car payment due. im about to be living in my car if this doesnt get fixed.

Have you tried calling from a different phone number? They might be filtering repeat calls from the same number. My brother and I were both trying to get through, and he got through with a new prepaid phone while I was still getting blocked.

I feel ur pain big time. I decided to just show up in person at the local career center. The security guard said they couldn't help with claims BUT he gave me a direct number to call that actually worked. Try going in person to any DOL office and ask nicely.