Why doesn't NYS Department of Labor unemployment answer the phone - impossible to reach anyone
I've been trying to call the NYS Department of Labor unemployment line for over two weeks and I literally cannot get through to a human being. The automated system just keeps saying 'due to high call volume' and then hangs up on me. I have questions about my adjudication that's been pending for a month and I need to speak to someone. This is ridiculous - how is anyone supposed to get help? Are they even answering phones anymore or what?
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Nia Wilson
its the worst!! ive been trying for 3 weeks to ask about my job search requirements and keep getting hung up on. the system is broken
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Luca Russo
•Right?? Like how are we supposed to resolve issues if they won't even talk to us. This is my livelihood here.
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Mateo Sanchez
The NYS Department of Labor phone system has been overwhelmed since the pandemic and never really recovered. They reduced staffing but claim volume stayed high. Your best bet is to call right when they open at 8am or try the my.ny.gov message center, though response times there are also slow. For adjudication issues specifically, sometimes the online system will update before anyone calls you back anyway.
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Aisha Mahmood
•I tried messaging through my.ny.gov three times and never got a response. The 8am thing doesn't work either - I've called at exactly 8:00 and still get the busy signal.
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Ethan Clark
I had the same problem for weeks trying to get through about my weekly claim certification issue. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real NYS Department of Labor agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Honestly saved me so much frustration - got through to someone within a day and resolved my issue.
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AstroAce
•Never heard of that before. Sounds too good to be true tbh but if it actually works...
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Ethan Clark
•I was skeptical too but I was desperate. It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you then connect you when they get an agent on the line.
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Yuki Kobayashi
THE PHONE SYSTEM IS A JOKE! I've been unemployed for 6 months and have called probably 200 times. Maybe got through twice. They don't care about us AT ALL. Meanwhile bills keep coming and they're sitting there ignoring the phones. Absolutely criminal how they treat people who need help.
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Carmen Vega
•I feel your pain. Same situation here - it's like they want us to just give up and stop trying to claim benefits.
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Luca Esposito
This is so frustrating and unfortunately way too common. I've been dealing with the same issue for about a month now trying to get answers about my benefit calculation. What's worked for me is calling multiple times throughout the day - sometimes I get lucky around 2-3pm when maybe some people have given up calling. Also try the Spanish line if you speak Spanish, sometimes it's less busy. I know it shouldn't be this hard but don't give up! Your benefits are important and you deserve to get the help you need.
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Kai Rivera
•Thanks for the tip about calling in the afternoon - I hadn't thought to try different times of day! I've been doing the typical 8am rush like everyone else. Really appreciate you sharing what actually worked for you. It's good to know some people are eventually getting through, gives me hope to keep trying.
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GamerGirl99
I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach them for 3 weeks about my pending claim and it's like they don't exist. The automated system is completely useless and just wastes your time before disconnecting you. I've tried calling at different times, using different numbers, nothing works. It's incredibly stressful when you're already dealing with being unemployed and then the system that's supposed to help you is completely inaccessible. Has anyone had any luck with contacting their local representatives about this issue? I'm wondering if external pressure might actually get them to improve their phone system.
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Alexis Renard
•I actually tried contacting my assemblyperson's office about this exact issue last month! They have a constituent services department that can sometimes help with state agency problems. It took about a week but they were able to get someone from DOL to call me back directly. Might be worth a shot - at least someone will actually listen to your complaint. The phone system really is broken and putting pressure on them through elected officials seems to be one of the few things that gets results.
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Dylan Mitchell
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.
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Vera Visnjic
•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.
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Statiia Aarssizan
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.
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Omar Zaki
•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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