Ny unemployment ghosting me - they can call but I can't reach them?!

Welcome to the black hole of NY unemployment. Im on month 4 of trying to get backpay. They dont answer emails, calls, carrier pigeons..nothing 🤷‍♂️

After weeks of failed attempts to reach NYSDOL, I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that kept calling for me and connected me with an actual agent! Saved me hours of frustration and within 24 hours of talking to someone, my payments started processing again. It was seriously the only way I could get a human on the phone. Here's a vid about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I swear they designed the system to make people give up. Try calling at exactly 7:59am - sometimes you can get in right before the queue fills up. Also try the callback option on the website if they haven't disabled it again 🙄

They're LITERALLY ghosting everyone! I was in the exact same situation, couldn't get thru for 5 weeks straight. What finally worked for me was contacting my state assembly person. Found mine on nyassembly.gov, sent them an email explaining my situation, and they reached out to NYSDOL on my behalf. Had my issue fixed in 3 days after that.

Here's what you need to know about getting through to NY unemployment (from someone who finally got their benefits after 7 weeks of trying): 1) Their phone system is completely overloaded - calling randomly almost never works 2) The portal messages ARE read eventually, but it takes weeks unless your issue is flagged as urgent 3) The fastest solutions I found: - Use Claimyr.com - it automates the calling process and notifies you when it gets through (this is what finally worked for me) - Contact your state representative/assembly person - they have dedicated channels - If possible, go to a physical career center location. Some have unemployment staff on certain days - Try calling at odd hours - I've heard 11:45am can be less busy than peak times 4) Document EVERYTHING. Dates you called, emails sent, portal messages, etc. You'll need this if you end up having to escalate. Hang in there. The system is broken but there are ways through it with persistence.

Same boat. Got through once after 200+ calls only to be told I need to be transferred to a specialist...then got disconnected. I'm convinced it's intentional at this point.

they send me a letter saying i need to verify my identity but the link they gave doesnt work and now im locked out of my account completely for 3 weeks straight. this system is DESIGNED to fail i swear

After my 5th week of trying, I went full Karen and started calling every single extension I could find. Eventually got through to some random department who took pity and transferred me to the right person. Maybe try that?

Quick tip - if you get a call from them and miss it, they usually try again within 48 hours at around the same time. Set an alarm and be ready.

there's rumors they're upgrading the phone system soon. my friend works for the state (not DOL) and said its supposed to be done by end of summer... so only like 4 more months of this hell 🙃

Check ur claim status online. Sometimes they fix issues without telling u and u might suddenly see payments pending. Happened to me after weeks of radio silence.

This whole system makes me RAGE. I ended up using Claimyr last month (claimyr.com) after my roommate recommended it. They kept calling until someone answered, then connected me right away. Talking to a real person finally got my back payments released. Best money I ever spent after losing 2 months of benefits to the void