Who do I call for unemployment benefits in NY - need contact info
I just lost my job last week and need to file for unemployment but I can't figure out who to call. I've been searching online but there are so many different numbers and I keep getting transferred around. Does anyone know the right phone number to call for unemployment benefits in New York? I tried the main NYS Department of Labor number but got stuck in an automated system that didn't help. Really stressed about this because I need to get my claim started ASAP.
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Nia Jackson
You can file your initial unemployment claim online at labor.ny.gov - it's actually faster than calling. The phone number for claim questions is 888-209-8124 but expect long wait times. For filing your weekly claims, you can call the Tel-Service at 888-581-5812. Make sure you have your Social Security number and employment history ready.
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Luca Romano
•Thanks! I tried the online filing but got confused about some of the questions. Should I call or keep trying online?
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Mateo Hernandez
ugh good luck getting through on the phone!! ive been trying for 3 days straight and keep getting disconnected after waiting 2 hours
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CosmicCruiser
If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor by phone, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helps you get through to unemployment agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on. Worth checking out if you need to speak to someone about your claim status or have specific questions.
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Aisha Khan
•Never heard of this service before. Is it legit? I'm desperate to talk to someone about my pending claim.
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Ethan Taylor
Same situation here, lost my restaurant job. The NYS Department of Labor system is so overwhelmed right now. I ended up filing online at 6am when the servers weren't as busy.
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Yuki Ito
Don't waste time calling - the phone system is a nightmare. File online and if you need help later, deal with it then. The important thing is getting your claim date established so you don't lose any weeks of benefits.
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Luca Romano
•You're right, I need to just get it filed. Can I fix mistakes later if I mess something up online?
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Carmen Lopez
Filing online is definitely the way to go initially. If you run into adjudication issues or your claim gets stuck, that's when you'll need to call. Keep all your employment records handy - dates, wages, reason for separation.
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Ella Russell
I went through this same situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: Start with the online application at labor.ny.gov early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy. Have your last employer's info ready including exact dates of employment and your final pay stub. If you get stuck on any questions, you can save your progress and come back to it later. The phone lines are brutal right now - I spent literally days trying to get through. Focus on getting your initial claim filed online first, then worry about calling if you run into specific issues later. The key is establishing your claim date so you don't lose any potential benefits while figuring out the details.
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Caden Nguyen
•This is really helpful advice! I'm wondering about the exact employer info they need - do I need to have my W-2 from last year or just recent pay stubs? And when you say "exact dates of employment" do they want the specific start date from when I was first hired or just my most recent position dates? I've been with the same company for 3 years but changed roles twice. Want to make sure I have everything ready before I start the application at 6 AM tomorrow.
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