Plot twist: the unemployment office is actually run by squirrels and they're just really behind on their acorn paperwork 🐿️📄

I'm so sorry you're going through this, Amina. The wait times are absolutely unacceptable. Here's what helped me when I was in a similar situation: 1. Document EVERYTHING - keep screenshots of your online account, note down every time you try to call with date/time 2. File a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor - sometimes this creates a paper trail that gets attention 3. Try calling your county's workforce center directly instead of the main line - they sometimes have better access 4. If you're really struggling financially, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs while you wait The system is broken, but don't give up. Your benefits are owed to you. Hang in there! 💪

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the unemployment system is absolutely broken and your frustration is completely valid! 😤 I went through something very similar a few months ago and it felt like I was trapped in an endless loop of bureaucratic hell. A couple things that finally helped me break through: • **Call at 7:29 AM sharp** - I noticed better luck getting through in that small window before the 7:30 rush • **Ask specifically for a "program integrity review specialist"** when you get through - regular agents often can't do much with these holds • **Request everything in writing** - ask them to email you a summary of what they found in your file and what the next steps are • **File an appeal for that determination immediately** - even if you think you sent everything, the appeal process sometimes gets faster attention than regular inquiries The most important thing I learned is that those automated determination letters are often completely wrong and don't reflect recent submissions. Don't let that 8-month timeline panic you - it's usually outdated once a human actually reviews your case. Also, don't hesitate to contact your state representative's office. I was worried about "bothering" them too, but they have staff specifically for constituent services and they deal with unemployment issues constantly. They got my case escalated within days. Document absolutely everything - dates, times, agent names, reference numbers. It becomes crucial when you're explaining your situation for the 50th time to someone new. Hang in there! This system shouldn't be this hard to navigate, but with persistence you WILL get through it. You've earned these benefits and you deserve to receive them! 💪

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the program integrity hold situation is absolutely maddening! 😤 I had a similar experience last year where I was stuck for weeks with no clear explanation of what was actually being "investigated." One thing that helped me was creating a simple tracking system for all my interactions - I used a basic notebook to write down every call (date, time, agent name if given, what was discussed). It saved me so much time when I had to explain my situation repeatedly to new agents. Also, that determination saying you're denied for 8 months is almost certainly an automated response that doesn't account for your recent submissions. I got something similar and panicked, but it turned out to be completely wrong once an actual person reviewed my file. Have you tried submitting your documents through multiple channels? I know it sounds redundant, but I uploaded online AND faxed copies AND mailed them certified. One of the agents later told me the online system sometimes has glitches that make submissions disappear even when you get a confirmation. The whole system feels designed to exhaust us into giving up, but don't let them win! Keep pushing - you've earned these benefits and you deserve answers about what's actually causing the delay. The advice about calling first thing in the morning really works. Good luck! 🍀

Just wanted to add another potential solution - sometimes the reopen option is only visible during certain hours or days of the week due to system maintenance windows. I've noticed the Colorado CDLE website sometimes hides certain features during their overnight processing times (usually between 11 PM and 6 AM). Also, if you filed your original claim during a holiday period or busy season, there might be special restrictions on when you can reopen. Try checking the site during normal business hours on a weekday if you haven't already. And make sure you're using the direct CDLE website and not going through any third-party sites - I've seen people get confused because some unofficial sites don't have all the same options. Hope you get it sorted out soon!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! It's so frustrating when you need to reopen your claim and the website just doesn't cooperate. Based on what everyone's shared here, I'm going to try a few things: first clearing my browser cache like Alana suggested, then checking for any pending verification requirements in my account messages, and looking in the "Claim Status" section that Emma mentioned. If none of that works, I might have to bite the bullet and either call or try that claimyr service that Sara talked about. Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions - it's nice to know I'm not the only one struggling with this system! Will update if I figure it out.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at Colorado Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/pkaHKRBb294

I'm going through the same situation with backdating my PUA claim. From what I've gathered from the comments here, it seems like the key steps are: 1) Apply for standard UI benefits first in MyUI+, 2) Look for the "reopen claim" option, and 3) If your account is locked/on hold, submit the Program Integrity Hold form. Has anyone had recent success with this process? I'm wondering about current wait times and if there are any new requirements I should be aware of. Thanks for sharing all these helpful resources!

Plot twist: what if we all show up at the unemployment office with lawn chairs and snacks? Make it a sit-in until they process our claims 😂

Two months is absolutely unacceptable! I had a similar issue last year and what finally worked was filing a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor directly through their website. There's a specific form for delayed claims processing. Also, try reaching out to Colorado Legal Aid - they have free resources for unemployment issues and can sometimes get things moving faster than going through the regular channels. Don't let them make you wait indefinitely when you need this support now!