Trying to finish my NY unemployment claim but cant reach anyone by phone

Same issue here - been trying to reach them since April. The phone system is completely broken. I found out you can use a service called Claimyr that will wait on hold for you and connect you when a real person answers. Total lifesaver! Used it last week and finally got my claim processed after months of nothing. Check it out - claimyr.com - talking to an agent got my benefits flowing within days.

Welcome to NY unemployment hell 😭 I've been in the same situation for like 6 weeks. The system is completely overloaded still. Try calling right when they open at 8am or right before they close. Sometimes I've had luck getting through around 4:30pm on Thursdays for some weird reason.

Literally in the EXACT same situation. Been calling for 5 weeks straight and nothing. The whole system is basically designed to make you give up. Keep calling tho, eventually you'll get through. I finally did last Friday after 100+ attempts.

Hey there! I went through this nightmare last month. Here's what worked for me to get through on the NY unemployment phone system: First, I completely stopped calling the main number - it's useless. Instead, I called some of their secondary numbers and worked my way to a real person by selecting different options than unemployment questions initially. Once I got a human, I explained my situation and they transferred me. Another thing that really helped was using claimyr.com - they basically wait on hold for you then call you when they get a real person. Honestly it was the best money I've ever spent after weeks of frustration. My claim was processed within 3 days after finally talking to someone. Also worth knowing - email doesn't work well but their Twitter team sometimes responds faster if you DM them. Make sure you have all your documents ready when you finally get through because they won't wait. Don't give up! The system is maddening but persistence pays off eventually.

This is exactly why I gave up on unemployment. After 2 months of trying I just found another job making way less. The system is DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate so they don't have to pay out benefits. Change my mind.

Have you tried contacting your state representative? That's what finally worked for me after weeks of calling. Their office has special contacts at unemployment and can escalate your case.

dont call the main number!!! u need to call the *disability* line then when you get thru ask to be transferred to unemployment... worked for me after 35 days of trying the normal number

I literally just got through this exact mess last week. At my wits end like you. Ended up using claimyr.com cause a friend recommended it. They basically do the hold waiting for you then connect when a real person answers. Not gonna lie its weird but it WORKED. I got my claim finished in one call after trying for weeks.

Why is it so hard to get a hold of ny unemployment?? Been dealing with this for 2 months now. The system is rigged to make people give up i swear

I got through by calling at EXACTLY 7:58am - right before they open. Still had to wait 30 mins but at least got in the queue before it filled up. Good luck!

Pro tip: if u have a friend in another state, try using their phone to call. My NY number kept getting busy signals but when I used my sisters NJ phone it went through in 10 mins 🤔

I spent 6 weeks trying to get through before a reddit post told me about claimyr. Best decision ever - they called and got me connected to a rep within 2 hours. My claim got fixed on the spot after ONE CALL. Whatever it costs, its worth it to finally get your benefits. The website is claimyr.com

have you tried the online chat? sometimes you can get help there without calling