Why is NY unemployment staff still remote when we're forced to job search in person?

I feel ur pain! Been dealing with this same crap for 2 months now. They expect us to be out there in the world interviewing but they can't be bothered to come into an office. My neighbor works for the DMV and they've been back since last winter. Unemployment peeps think they're special or somethin 🙄

I had the same problem but finally got through using a service called claimyr.com that called for me and connected me once an agent picked up. After talking to a real person, they fixed my issue in minutes and my benefits hit my account 2 days later. Best decision ever after waiting on hold for literally days of my life. Check out this video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Real talk, this double standard is BS. I work in retail and we've been in person since June 2020 with masks on 8 hrs a day. Meanwhile these govt workers chillin at home while our benefits are stuck in limbo? Make it make sense!

Look i actually know someone who works for ny unemployment (my cousin). They're still dealing with massive backlogs from the pandemic and their systems are ancient. Being remote actually helps them process more claims because they don't waste time commuting. The real problem is they need to upgrade their whole computer system which runs on technology from the 1990s.

Trying to get anything done with NY unemployment is like trying to nail jello to a wall. Been dealing with them for years (this is my 3rd time on unemployment sadly) and it's ALWAYS a disaster. In person, remote, doesn't matter - the system is designed to be frustrating so people give up. That's my conspiracy theory anyway 🤷‍♂️

Here's what someone from NY unemployment told me when I finally got through after FOUR HOURS on hold: Their office spaces were downsized during COVID and they literally don't have enough desks for everyone anymore. Many positions are permanently remote now. But that shouldn't affect service quality - the real issue is their outdated computer systems that crash constantly and the fact that they're still catching up from millions of pandemic claims.

I've dealt with unemployment systems in 3 different states (moved around a lot) and NY is BY FAR the worst. Took me 9 weeks to get my first payment. Only thing that worked was contacting my assembly member who somehow got it fixed in days. Try that route!

After struggling for weeks, I found the most comprehensive solution to dealing with NY unemployment issues. This has worked for many people I know: - First, document EVERYTHING. Every call, email, website error - screenshots and notes with dates/times. - File your weekly claims exactly on time, even if your initial claim is pending. - Call right when they open (8:00am) - the wait times drop from hours to sometimes just 15-30 minutes. - If that fails, use claimyr.com - they'll wait on hold and call you when an agent picks up. This literally saved me after 3 weeks of failed attempts. - Email your state representative AND assembly member simultaneously. Include your claimant ID (not showing full SSN). - Check your spam folder daily! Many important notices go there. - If you get conflicting info from agents, ask for a supervisor immediately. I got my 5 weeks of backpay after doing all this. The key is persistence and attacking the problem from multiple angles at once. Don't give up!

LOL at expecting any government agency to make sense. They're sitting at home in their pajamas while we're out here struggling. Classic NY 🤡

unpopular opinion but i actually got better service from them during pandemic when everything was remote. now it's this weird hybrid system where half the staff is remote and half isn't and nobody knows what the other half is doing. just pick one system and stick with it!

they close at 4pm every day too like wtf??? most people work 9-5 so how are we supposed to call during their hours? the whole system is designed to fail

Has anyone tried the in-person career centers? I went to one last week thinking they could help with my claim but they just directed me back to the phone number I've been calling for weeks 😤

I work for a different state agency (not unemployment) and I can tell you the work from home thing is about saving money on office space. They've reduced our physical offices by 60% and now hotdesk when we do come in. It's not about being lazy - the state is cutting costs wherever possible.