Where can I apply for unemployment in person at NYS Department of Labor office?
I've been trying to file my unemployment claim online but the my.ny.gov website keeps crashing when I get to the employment history section. I've been laid off for two weeks now and I really need to get this sorted out. Does anyone know if I can still apply for unemployment benefits in person at a NYS Department of Labor office? I'm in the Rochester area and would rather just drive somewhere and fill out the paperwork face to face with someone who can help me through the process.
12 comments
Join the conversation
Malik Johnson
Unfortunately most NYS Department of Labor offices don't do walk-in unemployment applications anymore since COVID. They really want everything done online through my.ny.gov or over the phone. Have you tried calling the unemployment phone line? The number is 1-888-209-8124 but I'll warn you it's nearly impossible to get through.
0 coins
Emma Davis
AuthorI've called that number like 50 times and either get disconnected or it says they're too busy to take my call. This is so frustrating when I just need help with the application!
0 coins
Isabella Ferreira
same thing happened to me last month, the website kept timing out during the work history part. what browser are you using? i had to switch to chrome and clear all my cookies before it would work properly
0 coins
Emma Davis
AuthorI'm using Firefox. Let me try Chrome and see if that helps. Did you have any other issues after you got the application submitted?
0 coins
Ravi Sharma
For in-person assistance, you might want to check if there's a One-Stop Career Center near you. While they can't process your unemployment application directly, they sometimes have staff who can help you navigate the online system or troubleshoot technical issues. You can also try visiting the main NYS Department of Labor office in Albany, but I'd call first to see if they're accepting walk-ins for unemployment matters.
0 coins
Emma Davis
AuthorThat's a good idea about the Career Center. I didn't know they could help with the online application process. I'll look up locations near Rochester.
0 coins
NebulaNomad
I had the same problem getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone. A friend told me about this service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to an actual agent. I was skeptical at first but tried it and got through to someone in about 20 minutes. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you keep having trouble with the online application.
0 coins
Freya Thomsen
Is that legit? I'm always worried about giving my info to third-party services when it comes to unemployment stuff.
0 coins
NebulaNomad
I was worried about that too but they don't ask for your SSN or anything sensitive. They just help you get through the phone queue to talk to an actual NYS Department of Labor person.
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
The system is completely broken!! I've been trying to file for 3 weeks and keep getting error messages. They make it impossible on purpose so they don't have to pay out benefits. It's criminal how they treat people who just lost their jobs.
0 coins
Chloe Martin
I feel your frustration but hang in there. The system does work, it's just really overloaded and the website has issues.
0 coins
Luca Esposito
I'm in a similar situation and finally got through after weeks of trying. Here's what worked for me: 1) Use Chrome browser in incognito mode, 2) Try filing very early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when fewer people are online, 3) Have ALL your employment history ready beforehand - employer names, addresses, dates, and reason for separation. The system times out if you take too long entering info. Also, make sure you're on the correct site - it should be my.ny.gov/signin, not any other URL. Don't give up, it's frustrating but once you get it submitted the process moves pretty quickly after that.
0 coins