Trying to get NY unemployment since October with no money and scary messages

The ny unemployment system is designed to make u give up. They probably flagged ur account for some BS reason and now ur stuck in verification hell. Keep calling every single day, like literally hundreds of times. That's what I had to do for 3 weeks straight.

After 6 weeks of getting nowhere with ny unemployment, I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent. They waited on hold for me then connected me when a live person picked up. Talking to an agent got my money released within 3 days after months of nothing. Best decision I made during this whole unemployment nightmare! They even have a YouTube video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I got that same scary message!! It's a system glitch that happens to tons of ppl. What worked for me was sending a secure message through the portal specifically asking about the "exhausted benefits" message when u haven't received anything. Takes like 2 weeks to get a response but they fixed mine.

Have you tried contacting your state representative? That's what I did after 2 months of ny unemployment ghosting me. Their office has special contacts at DOL and got my issue resolved in 10 days after I was ready to give up completely.

You need to look for the SPECIFIC error code on those messages. Different codes mean different things. If it says TCO-something that means Technical Claims Office is reviewing. If it says TCC that's a different department. The generic messages are useless but the codes tell you what's actually happening.

Look I've been through the ENTIRE ny unemployment nightmare and finally got it fixed. Here's what actually works: 1. Document everything - dates, names of agents you speak with, confirmation numbers. Keep a dedicated notebook just for this. 2. The regular phone number is useless. Call the TEL-SERVICE number instead (it's on the website under "additional resources") between 7:30-8:00am when they first open. 3. Send messages through the secure messaging portal AND email unemployment.nysdol@labor.ny.gov - sometimes different departments respond to different channels. 4. If you've been applying for jobs, make sure you're recording at least 3 job search activities PER WEEK in the system. They can deny you for not having enough. 5. If all else fails, contact your state assembly person AND state senator. Having both offices inquire creates more pressure. 6. When truly desperate, the fastest way to talk to a human is through claimyr.com - they call repeatedly and connect you when someone answers. Saved me after 4 months of nothing. Hang in there. The system is designed to make you give up, but persistence eventually pays off.

sounds just like my sitch from last year. turns out they had my ssn wrong by ONE DIGIT. took 4 months to figure that out and fix it. make sure all ur personal info is 100% correct in the system.

Did they send you an email saying you need to verify identity through [ID.me](https://ID.me)? That's what was holding mine up but the notice went to my spam folder for like 2 months 🤡

Have u tried tweeting @NYSLabor? Sounds stupid but they sometimes respond faster there than through official channels. Tag them with your issue (no personal details tho) and they might DM you.

This is going to sound weird but try calling RIGHT when they open and press the Spanish option. The Spanish-speaking agents all speak English too and the wait time is usually WAY shorter. Got through in 15 mins this way after trying the English line for weeks.

If ur getting the "exhausted benefits" message but haven't been paid, it means theres an issue with your BYE date (Benefit Year End). The system thinks your claim is older than it is. You need to talk to someone in the claims processing dept specifically, not just any agent.