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.