What number to call for NY unemployment questions before filing a claim?

The main NY unemployment phone number is 1-888-209-8124. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm. When you call, listen carefully to the automated options - for pre-filing questions, usually option 2 for 'claims assistance' is your best bet, then follow the prompts for 'general questions' or 'before filing' options. Just be prepared for potentially long wait times. It's usually better to call early in the morning right when they open or mid-week when call volumes tend to be lower.

good luck getting through lol i tried calling that number last week and was on hold for TWO HOURS before i hung up. might be better to just start your application online and then call if you have questions during the process.

The correct number is 1-888-209-8124, but honestly, it's almost impossible to get through to an actual person these days. I spent days trying to reach someone about my special circumstances before filing. After wasting so much time, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of endless holds. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE It was worth it for me since I had specific questions about my eligibility that I couldn't find answers to online. If you have unusual circumstances, speaking to someone directly before filing can save you headaches later.

I recommend having these documents ready before you call, even for pre-filing questions: - Your Social Security number - Details about your employment history for the past 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers) - Dates you worked for each employer - Information about why you're no longer working (if applicable) Also, for part-time work while in school, they'll want to know your work availability and hours, so have your school schedule handy. Being a student doesn't automatically disqualify you, but you need to be available for work to qualify for benefits. The NYSDOL website has a lot of information that might answer your questions without needing to call: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/file-your-first-claim-benefits

i called them last month with questions before filing and the automated system is HORRIBLE!! kept sending me in circles and then hung up on me twice. ended up just starting my application online and figured things out as i went. the online system explains most things anyway

have u tried looking at the FAQs on their site? they have answers to most basic questions and might save u the trouble of calling. thats what i did

One more thing - if you do end up calling, take detailed notes during your conversation with the agent. Get their name or ID number if possible. I've had different agents give different answers to the same question, so having documentation of what you were told can be helpful if there are issues with your claim later.

I was in a similar situation last year - part-time work while in school. What I learned is that in NY, you need to be ready, willing, and able to work full-time to qualify for unemployment. If your school schedule restricts your availability too much, you might get denied. The agent I spoke with said they look at whether school would prevent you from accepting full-time work if it was offered. So be prepared to explain how you could manage both if needed.

After you get answers to your questions and decide to file, make sure you apply as soon as possible. Benefits aren't backdated to when you became unemployed - they start from when you file your claim. I waited two weeks trying to get all my questions answered first, and essentially lost two weeks of potential benefits because of it.

For student eligibility specifically, you might want to check out the "Students and Unemployment Benefits" section on the NYSDOL website. They have specific criteria about being "available for work" while enrolled in school. From what I remember, you generally need to show that your school schedule doesn't interfere with your ability to accept full-time work. Since you mentioned evening classes, that should work in your favor. You'll also need to prove you're actively seeking work and can start immediately if offered a job. One tip: if you do call, try calling right at 8am on a Tuesday or Wednesday - those tend to be the least busy days. And definitely have your school schedule written down to reference during the call.

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, you can also try reaching out through their online contact form or live chat feature on the NYSDOL website. The response time isn't immediate, but I got a detailed email response within 3 business days when I had questions about my eligibility. Also, since you mentioned you're a student working part-time, make sure you have documentation of your work history and earnings ready. They'll want to see that you've earned enough in your "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) to qualify for benefits. The minimum is typically around $2,600 in total wages during that period. Good luck with everything - the student/part-time worker situation can be tricky but definitely not impossible if you meet the availability requirements!

I've been through this exact situation! As a former part-time student worker in NY, I can confirm that evening classes actually work in your favor since you're available during regular business hours. A few things that helped me when I called: - Call exactly at 8:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday (like others mentioned) - Have your class schedule printed out showing you're only unavailable evenings - Be ready to explain that you can accept full-time work immediately - Calculate your earnings from the past 4 quarters to confirm you meet the minimum threshold One thing I wish I'd known earlier - they have a specific "Student Claimant" category, so when you get through to an agent, mention upfront that you're a student so they route you to someone familiar with those requirements. This saved me from getting transferred around. The whole process was less scary than I thought once I actually got through to someone. Your evening-only class schedule should definitely qualify you as "available for work" during standard hours. Good luck!

Hey! I actually work for a local nonprofit that helps people navigate government benefits, and I deal with student unemployment situations pretty regularly. A few additional tips based on what I've seen work: 1. If you've been working part-time consistently, you probably meet the earnings threshold - but double-check by looking at your pay stubs from the last 4 complete quarters (not including the current quarter you're in). 2. When you call, emphasize that you're "ready, willing, and able to work full-time" even though you're a student. That specific language is what they're looking for. 3. There's actually a lesser-known option on the phone menu - if you press 3 for "technical assistance" first, then 2 for "eligibility questions," you sometimes get routed to agents who are more knowledgeable about complex situations like student claims. 4. Keep in mind that if you qualify, you'll need to continue meeting work search requirements even while in school, so make sure you can commit to actively applying for jobs. The fact that your classes are in the evening is definitely a huge advantage. I've seen students in similar situations get approved without major issues. Just be prepared to clearly explain your availability during the call!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who successfully navigated this recently. I was also a part-time student worker and initially hesitated to apply because I wasn't sure about eligibility. One thing that really helped me was using the NYSDOL online eligibility quiz first (it's buried in their FAQ section) - it gave me confidence before making the call. Also, when I finally got through to an agent, they were actually more helpful and patient than I expected based on all the horror stories online. A practical tip: download the NY.gov mobile app - it has a callback feature for the unemployment line where they'll call you back instead of making you wait on hold. Saved me hours of frustration! Since you mentioned part-time work while in school, just make sure you can document that you've been actively seeking more work hours or full-time positions even while studying. They may ask for evidence of your job search efforts. Good luck!

As someone who just went through this process as a student last month, I wanted to share what worked for me! I was in almost the exact same situation - part-time work while taking evening classes. Here's what I discovered: The key is proving you're available for work during standard business hours. Since your classes are in the evening, you're in a great position. When I called (used that 1-888-209-8124 number), I made sure to emphasize that my school schedule wouldn't prevent me from accepting full-time employment. Pro tip: I called at exactly 7:58 AM on a Wednesday and got through in about 25 minutes. The agent was actually really helpful once I mentioned I was a student upfront - they knew exactly which questions to ask. One thing to be prepared for: they'll ask about your "work search" activities. Even as a student, you need to show you're actively looking for work. I had to provide details about jobs I'd applied for in the weeks before filing. Also, make sure you've earned enough in your base period. For part-time work, this can sometimes be tricky, but if you've been working consistently for several months, you should be fine. The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. Your evening class schedule should definitely work in your favor for the "available for work" requirement. Good luck!

I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a very similar situation as the original poster - part-time work while taking classes (though mine are online, so even more flexibility). Reading through everyone's experiences and tips has been a goldmine. The specific phone menu navigation (press 3 for technical assistance, then 2 for eligibility questions), the callback feature on the NY.gov app, and that online eligibility quiz are all things I never would have found on my own. One question for those who successfully went through this process: How detailed do you need to be about your class schedule when talking to the agent? Should I have my actual course syllabus ready, or is a simple explanation of "online classes with flexible scheduling" sufficient to show I'm available for full-time work? Also, for documenting job search activities - is there a specific format they prefer, or just keeping a simple list of where you applied and when? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is amazing for breaking down these confusing government processes!

Reading through this whole thread as someone who's also navigating the student/part-time worker situation has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about so many of these resources and strategies. A couple of additional things I discovered that might help others: 1. There's actually a "Virtual Assistant" chat bot on the NYSDOL website that can answer basic eligibility questions 24/7. It's not perfect, but it helped me understand some terminology before calling. 2. Your local One-Stop Career Center (part of the American Job Center network) often has staff who can help you prepare for the unemployment call and review your documentation beforehand. I found mine through the DOL website's office locator. 3. If you're worried about the base period earnings calculation, you can request a "Statement of Claimant's Wage and Potential Benefit Information" online before filing to see exactly what's in their system. For anyone still hesitating - I was terrified to call based on all the horror stories, but armed with the tips from this thread (especially calling at 7:58 AM on Tuesday/Wednesday and mentioning "Student Claimant" upfront), the process was much smoother than expected. The agent I spoke with was actually really knowledgeable about student eligibility rules. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating these systems!

This thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who's been putting off filing for unemployment because I wasn't sure about my eligibility as a part-time student worker, reading everyone's detailed experiences and tips has given me the confidence to move forward. I wanted to add one more resource that might help others: if you're still unsure after reading all these great tips, many college career services offices have staff who are familiar with unemployment benefits for students. They might not be experts, but they often have basic guidance and can sometimes connect you with alumni or other students who've been through the process. Also, for anyone keeping track of job search activities, I've found that setting up Google alerts for job postings in your field can help you stay on top of opportunities and gives you concrete evidence of active job searching when you need to report it. Thank you especially to @Yuki Tanaka for asking the original question - this whole conversation has been a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment as a student! And huge thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences, phone tips, and resource recommendations. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes these overwhelming government processes actually manageable.