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If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to reach them for over a month about a hold on my account that's preventing me from certifying for benefits. It's absolutely maddening - the automated system just keeps cycling you through the same useless menu options before hanging up. I've tried calling at 8am sharp, different times throughout the day, even tried the technical support line hoping they could transfer me. Nothing works. Meanwhile my rent is due and I'm supposed to just wait indefinitely? The system is completely broken and it feels like they're deliberately making it impossible to get help. Really considering the Claimyr service that Ethan mentioned because I'm running out of options here.
I completely understand your frustration - the account hold preventing certification is the worst because you can't even move forward with your claim! I went through something similar a few months ago where I had a technical issue blocking my weekly certification and couldn't get anyone on the phone to help resolve it. What finally worked for me was documenting every single call attempt (date, time, what happened) and then filing a complaint through the NY State Inspector General's office online. They actually have a process for complaints about state agencies not providing adequate service. It took about 2 weeks but someone from DOL finally called me back to resolve the hold. Definitely frustrating that it takes going to that level just to get basic help, but it might be worth trying if the Claimyr option doesn't work out.
This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately all too familiar. I've been trying to get through for almost 6 weeks now about an overpayment notice that I believe is incorrect, and it's like shouting into the void. The worst part is you can hear the phone ringing sometimes before it just cuts you off - so you know the system is working, they're just not taking calls. I've tried literally everything - calling at opening, during lunch, late afternoon, even tried the different department numbers hoping someone could transfer me. Nothing. It's honestly shocking that a state agency can just completely ignore their primary method of customer service like this. At this point I'm documenting every failed call attempt and considering filing complaints with multiple oversight agencies because this is completely unacceptable. People's livelihoods depend on these benefits and the fact that there's no way to get basic questions answered is just wrong.
6 weeks for an overpayment issue is absolutely ridiculous! I'm so sorry you're dealing with that - overpayment notices are stressful enough without having to fight just to talk to someone about it. Your idea about documenting all the failed attempts is really smart. I wonder if we should all start doing that and maybe compile our experiences together? If enough people are documenting the same systemic failures, it might carry more weight when filing complaints with oversight agencies. This whole situation is just unacceptable for a basic government service that people depend on.
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Just be careful about the grace period stuff. If your H1B gets revoked or expires during your unemployment claim, you might have issues. Keep track of all your immigration dates and notify NYS Department of Labor immediately if anything changes with your status.
This is really important advice! I've heard the 60-day grace period can be tricky. Do you know if NYS DOL has specific procedures for reporting immigration status changes, or do you just call their regular helpline? I want to make sure I handle this correctly if my situation changes.
From what I remember when I dealt with this, you report status changes through their online system under "Report Changes" or by calling the dedicated claims line. Don't wait for the regular helpline - use the specific number for existing claimants. They have a form you can fill out online too. The key is documenting everything and reporting immediately when your status changes, not waiting until your next certification week.
I'm also on H1B and went through unemployment filing last year in NYC. One thing to add - when you file initially, make sure you have your I-797 approval notice handy because they'll likely ask for it during the application process. Also, keep copies of your recent pay stubs showing the unemployment insurance deductions - this helps prove you've been paying into the system. The 26 weeks is correct as others mentioned, but the key is maintaining valid work authorization throughout. If you're planning to transfer to a new H1B sponsor during unemployment, notify NYS DOL when you get your new I-797 approved. The process was smoother than I expected once I had all the immigration docs ready.
@Jabari-Jo Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm in a similar situation and this is really valuable info. When you mentioned keeping pay stubs showing unemployment insurance deductions, did NYS DOL specifically ask for those during your application, or was it more of a precautionary measure? I want to make sure I gather all the right documents before filing. Also, did you face any delays in your benefit payments while they were reviewing your immigration documents, or did the payments start on schedule once approved?
@Jabari-Jo This is exactly the kind of detailed info I needed! I just got laid off yesterday and was panicking about the whole process. Can you clarify what you mean by "unemployment insurance deductions" on the pay stubs? I see various tax deductions on mine but want to make sure I'm looking at the right line item. Also, roughly how long did it take from your initial filing to receiving your first benefit payment? I'm trying to budget for the gap period. Really appreciate you sharing your experience - it's making this whole situation feel much more manageable!
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I've been lurking here for a few days while dealing with my own claim nightmare, and this thread has been absolutely incredible! After reading everyone's success stories, I decided to try the early morning strategy this morning - called 888-783-1370 at 7:56am and actually got through to an agent in just 32 minutes! Just like so many others have shared, it was an identity verification hold that had been sitting on my account for over 2 weeks. The agent cleared it immediately once I provided my license info and said payments should resume within 48 hours. I can't thank this community enough - without all these detailed tips and success stories, I'd probably still be wasting hours calling that useless main number. For anyone still struggling, the early morning payment issues line really does work! Have your documents ready and don't give up - there's definitely light at the end of this tunnel.
Congratulations on getting through and getting it resolved! This is such great news to hear. I've been following this thread closely as I'm dealing with the exact same pending claim issue, and seeing all these success stories with the early morning 888-783-1370 strategy is really giving me confidence to try it myself. It's incredible how this community has cracked the code on what actually works when the official guidance is basically useless. Thanks for taking the time to share your results - knowing you got through in just 32 minutes and got the identity verification cleared immediately is exactly the kind of detailed feedback that helps the rest of us know we're on the right track. Definitely setting my alarm early tomorrow to try this approach!
This thread has been so helpful! I've been dealing with a pending claim for 2.5 weeks and was getting really discouraged after multiple failed attempts with the main number. Reading through all these success stories with the early morning 888-783-1370 strategy has restored my hope. It sounds like the identity verification holds are affecting way more people than I realized - I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with their new fraud detection system. I'm definitely going to try calling at 7:55am tomorrow with all my documents organized. The fact that so many people are getting through in 25-35 minutes and having their holds cleared immediately is amazing compared to the hours of waiting and disconnections I've experienced with other numbers. Thank you to everyone who's shared their detailed experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable when the official resources are so lacking!
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Just wanted to update everyone - I finally got through using the dedicated direct deposit line that Miguel mentioned! It took some digging on the website but I found it under "Payment Services" section. The wait was only about 15 minutes which was amazing compared to what I was expecting. The agent was super helpful and knew exactly what I needed when I said I wanted to "update security question responses for direct deposit verification." They had me verify my SSN, claim number, and a few previous addresses, then walked me through resetting my mother's maiden name. The whole process took about 20 minutes and I got an email confirmation right after. My direct deposit should be working for my next payment. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice - this community is awesome! 🙏
That's amazing Chloe! So glad you got it sorted out quickly. This is exactly why I love this community - people actually follow up with updates and share what worked. That dedicated direct deposit line tip is pure gold 💰 I'm bookmarking this whole thread for future reference. Hopefully your next payment goes through without any issues!
This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar issue but with my security questions for regular claim certification. Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to try calling that dedicated direct deposit line first to see if they can help with security question updates in general. The tip about calling right when they open and having all documents ready is clutch. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much better getting real advice from people who've actually been through this rather than trying to navigate their confusing website! 🙌
Yes! This whole thread has been a goldmine of info. I was feeling so overwhelmed about dealing with NYDOL before reading through everyone's experiences. The dedicated line tip alone probably saved me hours of frustration. It's crazy how much easier things become when you know the right approach and have the right phone number. Hope your security question update goes smoothly!
Miguel Alvarez
I've been struggling with the same exact situation - my claim has been pending for over 3 weeks and I'm getting desperate! Reading through all these detailed strategies has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about the importance of calling at exactly 8:00 AM or the button sequence tricks. I've been calling randomly throughout the day and just getting the "high call volume" hangup every single time. I'm definitely going to try the 1-3-2-9-PIN-## sequence that @Alice Fleming and others have confirmed still works. The atomic clock app idea from @Taylor To is genius - I never thought about being that precise with timing but it makes total sense. Also planning to have both my cell and landline ready since @Anthony Young mentioned that different carriers sometimes work better. One question for anyone who's gotten through recently - how long should I expect to be on hold once I actually get into the queue? I want to make sure I block out enough time and have my phone fully charged. My rent is due in 5 days so I really need to get this resolved ASAP! Thank you to everyone sharing what actually works instead of just complaining about the system. This community has given me hope that I can finally get through to someone!
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Rita Jacobs
•Hey @Miguel Alvarez! Based on what others have shared in this thread, hold times seem to range from 15-35 minutes once you actually get into the queue (instead of getting the immediate hangup). @Geoff Richards waited 31 minutes, @Carter Holmes was on hold for 25 minutes, and @Alice Fleming mentioned 15 minutes. I d recommend blocking'out at least an hour total to be safe - that gives you time for multiple redial attempts if needed plus the hold time. Definitely make sure your phone is fully charged! Also, from what I ve read here,'having all your documents ready really speeds things up once you get an agent - they can often resolve issues in just 10-15 minutes if you have everything they need. Good luck with your call tomorrow! The rent pressure is real, but based on all these success stories, you should be able to get through with persistence and the right strategy.
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Ev Luca
I've been dealing with a similar situation for the past month - my claim got flagged for "additional review" and I've been trying to reach someone ever since. After reading through all these incredibly detailed strategies, I feel like I finally have a real plan instead of just randomly calling and hoping for the best. What really stands out to me is how this community has figured out a systematic approach: the exact 8:00 AM timing, the 1-3-2-9-PIN-## sequence, having backup phones ready, and being prepared with all documents. It's honestly ridiculous that we need this level of coordination just to talk to someone about our legitimate benefits, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works. I'm planning to try calling tomorrow morning with all these strategies combined. One thing I'm curious about - for those who have successfully gotten through, did you notice any difference in success rates between different days of the week? @Benjamin Kim mentioned mid-week might be better, but I'm wondering if anyone has tracked patterns in their calling attempts. Also wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to share detailed success stories instead of just venting about the broken system. Reading about @Geoff Richards getting his claim resolved in 10 minutes once he got through, and @Carter Holmes getting an email summary with a direct extension really gives me hope that persistence will pay off. This thread has been more helpful than any official NYSDOL resource I've found!
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