New York Unemployment Office Locations That Are Actually Open - Need In-Person Help

Tried the same office last week, total waste of time. Most offices are still closed to walk-ins since covid. They say to call but its impossible to get through 🤡

I actually found a way to get through on the phone! Used this service called claimyr.com that calls and waits on hold, then connects you when a real person picks up. Costs $20 but worth every penny tbh. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

The Manhattan office on Varick Street is sometimes open but you need an appointment. Call your state assembly person, they can sometimes help get you one

Look, here's what you need to know about NY unemployment offices rn: - Most physical locations remain closed to walk-ins - Phone is your best bet but its overwhelmed - Use claimyr.com to get through on the phone (costs $ but works) - Contact your state assembly person for help - Try the virtual appointments on the website - Email them through the message portal AND your assembly person Dont waste time going to offices, they'll just turn you away. The system is backed up but there are ways through. Document everything and keep trying different channels.

bruh they got us running around like 🤡 when everything could be handled online smh

Anyone try the Queens location? Heard rumors its open

@Nia Thompson I feel your pain! Same situation here - been trying to get help for weeks. Based on what everyone's saying, here's what I'm gonna try: 1) Contact my assembly person first thing Monday (seems like the most reliable option), 2) Try that claimyr service if the assembly person route doesn't work quickly, and 3) Keep checking the online portal for virtual appointments. Thanks everyone for the real advice instead of the usual "just keep calling" BS 🙏

@Nia Thompson I just went through this exact nightmare last month! Here's what actually worked for me: Called my assembly rep (you can find yours at nyassembly.gov by entering your address) and they had someone from DOL call me back within 3 days. Also try logging into the DOL website super early - like 6:30am - I've noticed way less traffic then and was able to submit messages that actually got responses. The Brooklyn Schermerhorn office has been closed since 2022 btw, they just never updated their website 🙄 Hang in there, it's frustrating but you'll get through eventually!

@Nia Thompson I just went through this exact same frustration a few weeks ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I called my assembly member's office (you can find yours by putting your address into nyassembly.gov) and they got me a callback from DOL within 48 hours. Also try the online message center super early in the morning around 6-7am when there's less traffic - I actually got responses that way. The physical offices are basically useless right now except for scheduled appointments. Don't waste your time going in person, focus on the assembly rep route and early morning online attempts. The system is completely broken but these workarounds actually get results! Hang in there 🙏

@Nia Thompson I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and it's driving me crazy! Been trying to get through for almost 2 months. After reading through everyone's advice here, I'm convinced the assembly rep route is the way to go - seems like literally everyone who tried it got results within a few days. I'm in Queens so gonna look up my assembly member on nyassembly.gov and call Monday morning. Also definitely trying the 6:30am online portal trick, that makes so much sense why the site always crashes during normal hours. This thread has been way more helpful than anything on the DOL website or calling their useless phone line. Thanks to everyone sharing what actually works! Will update if I have any success 🙏

@Nia Thompson I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I just moved to NY and am navigating the unemployment system for the first time - it's been a complete nightmare. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about the assembly rep option or the early morning online portal strategy. I've been wasting time trying to call during regular hours and getting nowhere. Definitely going to find my assembly member on nyassembly.gov and try the 6:30am online approach. This thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the official DOL website. Thank you everyone for sharing actual solutions instead of just the usual "keep trying" advice! It's ridiculous that we have to figure out these workarounds ourselves, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate this broken system 🙏