New York Department of Labor - Unemployment Customer Service Issues

I work full-time but have been taken out of work due to quarantine. I recently went back to work for two days and have been struggling to file a new claim for unemployment benefits. I have been out of work for a longer period due to health issues as advised by my doctor, but I can't seem to get through the online filing process. I have an account set up but I'm unable to proceed with filing a new claim online. When contacting by phone, I only reached an automated system last week, and I haven't been able to input my information to file a new claim yet. I urgently need help with this matter.

I am self-employed and run a one-person corporation that provides speech therapy services to children through contracts with local and state departments. Due to the suspension of these programs, my income has been affected. Additionally, I work hourly at Greenville Central School providing speech therapy to students. I am uncertain whether I qualify for unemployment insurance given my unique work situation. I started filling out the application but many sections seem irrelevant to my circumstances. Can someone confirm if I am eligible for benefits in this situation before I continue with the application process?

I filed a new claim last week on March 20, [redacted]. Upon submitting it online, I was instructed to speak to an agent to complete it promptly. The phone number provided is [redacted] for the Telephone Claims Center. I have been diligently calling multiple times a day, as advised, and each time I am informed to call back later due to high call volumes. Today is Friday, March 27, [redacted], and despite my continuous efforts, I am still unable to reach a representative to finalize my claim. How can I successfully contact someone to assist me with completing my new claim that I started online?

Like many others in New York State, I'm struggling to reach the unemployment benefits hotline to finish my claim. Every time I call, I either receive an automated message from Verizon saying the call can't be completed due to busy circuits, or I navigate through a few prompts only to be disconnected due to high call volume. It's frustrating and disheartening.

Hello. I was employed until 03/16/[redacted], after which I was furloughed due to Covid-19. The start date on my benefit determination is 3/19/20, likely to bypass the 1-week waiting period. The first week is marked as unpaid in my payment history. Since I worked for one day in the initial week, I received 3/4 of the full benefits. When I recertified on 3/25/20, I reported working one day on 3/16. I want to ensure that my next payment won't be reduced by that day again. I also seek clarification on whether the requirement to provide proof of job seeking is waived during this period, as it's not explicitly stated, unlike in other states. Thank you for your help.

I have been trying to reach the New York State Unemployment offices to complete my claim that I filed on 3/17/[redacted]. I was laid off on March 16th and need to extend my claim due to the circumstances. Despite filing online, I have been unable to get through on the phone to speak with a representative. I have experienced busy signals, messages in Spanish, or being told to call back later due to high call volumes. I also sent an email but have not received a response. The number provided, 1-[redacted] seems unresponsive, and I am struggling to find assistance to finalize my claim.

I am experiencing difficulties with my account. Previously, I created a ny.gov account and then attempted to create another account for an unemployment claim. To my dismay, I inadvertently used the same email address for the new account that I had used for the ny.gov account. Despite my efforts to reset the password and email, I can log in, but the option to "file a claim" is missing. It is my belief that this issue is due to having two accounts linked to the same email. I have reached out to the Department of Labor via email and phone calls, but have not received any responses. The frustration of trying to connect with someone is mounting as I have made numerous unsuccessful calls today and throughout the past week. It is imperative that I resolve this matter as I, like many others, am in desperate need of unemployment benefits. I kindly request assistance in resetting my account to successfully file a claim online and alleviate the burden on the phone lines. Your prompt help is greatly appreciated. Associated accounts: michellegonzalez26 - previous account [redacted]

I submitted my claim on 3/16/[redacted] over the phone after losing my job due to COVID-19. I informed the representative that I had moved and started a new job in New York six months ago after working full-time in Oahu, Hawaii. Despite this, I received correspondence from the DOL indicating I didn't meet the requirements as they stated I had only worked for one quarter, which is inaccurate given my seven years of full-time employment. I completed the reconsideration paperwork and sent in my pay stubs and W2 forms as evidence of my work history in Hawaii. Following up, the latest representative informed me that my claim is still pending as they are waiting on Hawaii to confirm my employment. However, with the current situation and many businesses closed due to the pandemic, this delay seems unreasonable. As someone without any income during this crisis and residing in an area significantly impacted by the virus, I'm distressed that my benefits are being held up due to factors beyond my control. Bogus

I need assistance with my benefits claim. My restaurant is closed due to COVID, and we are all on furlough. I mistakenly indicated that I worked 4+ days when in reality, I am unpaid and working from home to support the business during this closure. Unfortunately, the system now shows that I will not receive benefits. Can someone help me rectify this or guide me on how to reapply for this week? Your support is greatly valued as I am currently unpaid and working from home with my team. Thank you for any assistance. - A. Soldano

I am experiencing difficulties while trying to apply for partial unemployment benefits. I was working full-time for Matchpoint LLC, but got laid off on March 16, [redacted]. I am currently working part-time for A and J Staffing three days a week. Despite working 22.5 hours a week at A and J Staffing, the system is assuming I have stopped working for them. I need guidance on how to proceed to ensure I receive the partial unemployment benefits I am entitled to due to losing my full-time job.

I have finished the online part of my unemployment claim, but reaching a representative by calling the provided number ([redacted]) has been impossible despite calling hundreds of times daily for a week. Is there another method to complete the claim or a different number with live assistance?

I submitted my claim on Monday and have been attempting to contact a UI representative ever since. It states that applicants must speak with someone by the end of the same week they filed, which is today, in order to finalize the claim. However, the phone line is constantly busy. I understand that the high volume of applicants due to coronavirus may be causing this issue. It seems as though if you are unable to get through by today, your claim may not be considered valid. Given the current circumstances, perhaps UI should waive the requirement to speak with a representative and allow applicants to complete the entire process online. I have been calling persistently for four days, continuously redialing the number throughout the day for 45 minutes at a time, without any success. Each attempt is met with a busy signal, leading to frustration and no progress.

I attempted to submit a new claim online but encountered difficulties. Following the prompt to phone in my claim, I found myself needing to speak with a representative to finalize the process. Despite my attempts, I have been unable to reach anyone. Recognizing the current high demand for assistance, I am eager to complete my claim as soon as possible. It is crucial for me to secure this support swiftly as our family faces challenges due to the closure of our business and the lack of childcare options during the school shutdown. With my child's special needs in mind, speedy resolution of this matter is essential.

I have been struggling to reach the NYS Department of Labor for a week to apply for unemployment benefits. My calls to [redacted] are not going through, and the online system is overloaded. With only $[redacted] in my bank account, I couldn't pay April rent for my Brooklyn apartment. Both my wife and I, [redacted] workers, lost our jobs abruptly two weeks ago. We lived paycheck to paycheck and are now left with only money for food. NYS seems slow in assisting people like us with unemployment benefits. It's disheartening that our State government isn't responding when we need help. I hope to receive a call or email within the next twenty-four hours to resolve this situation.

Upon reviewing the New York State (NYS) website's flow chart, I discovered that I am categorized under "Exhausted UI Benefits after 7/1/19". While attempting to adhere to the provided steps of the flow chart - including applying for UI benefits, being deemed ineligible, and then applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - I encountered difficulty finding guidance on the final step of applying for PUA. Despite extensive searching for instructions or a relevant form, my efforts were in vain. I diligently attempted to contact a representative through various means and at different times but have had no success. If anyone has insight on how to access the PUA Application form referred to in the flow chart, it would be greatly appreciated.

I submitted my online application for unemployment benefits on Wednesday, April 1st under the CARES Act. After finishing the application, I received a notification confirming it, but was informed that my application would not progress further without speaking to a claims specialist. My last day of work was Friday, March 27th. I tried calling throughout the day on April 1st, managing to enter my social security number and pin, but unfortunately, I was disconnected with a message stating all specialists were busy. I've been attempting to reach them every day since then, from 7:55am to 7:30pm and even on Saturday, April 4th until 8pm. I'm worried because it's been a week and I still haven't finalized my first week's claim and I'm in urgent need of the benefits. I hope to get this sorted out soon. Thank you, Mark S.

I recently applied for unemployment due to a temporary layoff caused by the ongoing pandemic. I had an issue in the past where I owed money to the NYS DOL UI, an amount they claimed I wasn't entitled to, and I have since paid it back in full. As I try to file for UI now, I have been informed that there are additional forfeit days and a monetary penalty that were not previously included in the total owed amount. I am facing financial difficulties as there are no hearings and in-person interviews are not being conducted by the Department of Social Services. I am frustrated by the delay in receiving assistance, especially when emergency funds have been allocated by the government. I am planning to escalate this issue to the news and contact the Governor for resolution. My main request is to have the forfeit days lifted so I can access the support I urgently need for myself and my family, as I have been without income since March. This situation is distressing and requires immediate attention.

Good afternoon, Thank you for your attention to this matter! I am experiencing difficulty completing my online application and require assistance from a representative. For more detailed information, please see below. Thank you!! [redacted] For nearly three weeks, I have been attempting to reach UI by phone. Each Monday, I encounter approximately five prompts. These include a busy signal, a ringing tone followed by a busy signal, two different male messages indicating high call volume, a prompt in Spanish, and finally, an option to enter. Upon entering my SS number and pin, I am informed that UI representatives are busy and I must call back. Within the few times I have connected, I have entered my details nearly 30 times. In one prompt asking for a "rep's ext," I input my personal pin assuming it was the representative's extension. After trying this about 10 times, I reached a voicemail belonging to a woman named Regina. Despite acknowledging she is not my rep, I have left multiple messages with all necessary information. Her voicemail does request such details, giving me hope of a response. Over the past three weeks, I have left my info on Regina's voicemail around 60 times. Please advise on the next steps. I initially began the online application by entering my Government ID and password. Due to forgetting my original password, I created a new one. As an art teacher who is non-union and faced lay-offs due to school closures, I am willing to wait on hold for extended periods, regardless of being number [redacted] and taking the whole day. I understand the current difficulties and appreciate any assistance offered. Thank you sincerely for your time and support. Warm regards, Suzanne Demarco [redacted][redacted]

I recently received a notification regarding my Unemployment Insurance claim, directing me to contact the Telephone Claims Center at [redacted] to complete the claim. Unfortunately, I've been experiencing difficulty reaching this number as it disconnects immediately. I've tried multiple times to no avail. I urgently require assistance to finalize my unemployment benefits application.

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. I am self-employed and filing for the first time. I encountered many challenges during the process on the DoL website, with crashes requiring me to start over multiple times. After finally submitting a claim online, I was informed I needed to speak to an agent to finalize it. I attempted to contact [redacted] numerous times, managing to navigate the phone system only a handful of times. During these attempts, I reached a point where I had to input my SSN and PIN, but then received a message about speaking to an agent to complete the claim, followed by a disconnection due to all agents being busy. Despite my efforts, I have been unable to proceed with my claim due to the phone system issues. I kindly request guidance on how to proceed, whether through messages on this portal, email at [redacted], or a call to [redacted], as my attempts to connect via phone have been unsuccessful. Thank you for any assistance you can provide during this challenging time, as I am unable to progress with my claim as a result of these issues. Warm regards, Craig D.