What is the number to the NYS Department of Labor unemployment office?
Does anyone know the direct number to call the NYS Department of Labor unemployment office? I've been looking everywhere online but can't find a clear number that actually gets me to a real person. Every number I try just puts me in an endless automated loop or disconnects me after waiting forever. I need to talk to someone about my claim status but I'm getting nowhere with the website.
9 comments


Dominique Adams
The main NYS Department of Labor number is 1-888-209-8124, but good luck getting through. You'll probably be on hold for hours and then get disconnected. The system is completely overwhelmed and they don't have enough staff to handle all the calls. Your best bet is to try calling right when they open at 8am.
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Isabel Vega
•Thanks! I'll try calling first thing Monday morning. How early should I start calling to have any chance?
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Marilyn Dixon
ugh i've been trying that number for weeks and never get through!! the automated system just hangs up on me after telling me to use the website. but the website doesn't help when you need to actually talk to someone about a specific problem with your claim
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Louisa Ramirez
•I had the same issue for months trying to reach them about my adjudication. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr - it's a service that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me literally weeks of frustration.
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TommyKapitz
There are actually different numbers depending on what you need help with. For general claim questions it's 1-888-209-8124. For reporting fraud it's different. For appeals it's another number. But honestly they're all equally impossible to get through to. The phone system is designed to discourage people from calling.
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Angel Campbell
•Wait really? How do you know which number to call for what? I've just been using the main one for everything
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Payton Black
I called 247 times last month (yes I counted) and got through exactly twice. Both times I was disconnected before talking to anyone. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is a joke. They clearly don't want to help people.
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Harold Oh
Have you tried calling the local office directly instead of the main number? Sometimes those are less busy
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Malik Davis
I've had some success calling the regional offices directly instead of the main line. You can find your local office number on the DOL website under "Find a Career Center" - just search by your zip code. The local offices usually have shorter wait times, though they can't help with everything. Also try calling during lunch hours (12-1pm) when fewer people are calling. I know it's frustrating but don't give up!
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