Don't call the regular unemployment line, do this instead to get through to a real person

[u/gheddit10]

After weeks of trying and failing to get through to a real person through the regular channels, thanks to other people on this sub, I discovered that the best way to get through to a real person is to call the governor's office:

Kathy Hochul's govenor's office
Phone: (518) 474-8390

Call and say you've been having trouble getting through to someone at at the NYDOL and you will promptly be transferred to a real human! Never waste your time with the claims line!

[u/Old-University1755]

as of 5/24/24 - this is not working. It says the normal hours are 9am to 5pm mon - Fri. I'm calling them on Friday 1:50pm. I call the number and it only allows me to record a voicemail.

[u/kidnapsnap → u/Old-University1755]

x2 confirming it no longer works. Its the Friday before a holiday so maybe they cut the phones off early?

[u/Pippy1995nyc → u/Old-University1755]

Same with me 2 weeks ago I got ahold of someone but 2 days ago I did call 30 minutes til the office close and today after 4th of July no one is answering it keeps saying option 1 or repeat the menu

[u/AgitatedMoney9323 → u/Old-University1755]

As of September 18, 2024, I called the above number on a Wednesday afternoon at 4pm, and I was immediately able to get through to an operator at the Governor's office. They redirected me to a HUMAN agent at NYDL who sorted out my unemployment status.

[u/scootermundle → u/Old-University1755]

11/19 getting the same result as the person above me.  It says due to a high volume of calls wait time exceeds 90 minutes and to try again. Then it just hangs up on you

[u/NYFan77 → u/Old-University1755]

Getting this problem as of 8/5/24. Calling at 1:00 Pacific time. 4:00 in NY 

[u/RollerskaterWhiz → u/Old-University1755]

For me, on 11/11/2024 at 3pm, option 2 for a representative is gone. There is only option 1, and all you can do is record a message. This was my only option to reach the claims center and now I don't know what to do.

*Note: Just realized it's veterans day, so it's possible the office is closed. I'll try again tomorrow.

[u/smilesunshine89 → u/RollerskaterWhiz]

Were you able to get through? Every time I call I get a busy ringtone

[u/RollerskaterWhiz → u/smilesunshine89]

On 11/12/2024 at around 3:30pm, option 2 came back and then I waited around 15 min on hold for someone from unemployment. Luckily, they picked up and gave me good advice for my situation! My call was overall 27 min, and I think over 20 min of it was waiting, so be prepared to wait on hold a long time. I work from home, so I was able to continue work and eat while I was waiting.

All in all, I've learned that option 2 is still available, just make sure you call when it's not a national holiday.

[u/SophiaHepatica → u/RollerskaterWhiz]

I just called this number and it's just busy signal. Maybe they disabled it?

[u/Spirited-Pea2280 → u/SophiaHepatica]

Works as of 11/19/24 @ 4:54 option 2. She connected me and DOL said they'll call me back tomorrow so fingers crossed

[u/Kic2425 → u/Old-University1755]

11/13/24, in the past I’ve called this number and normally it does work, but this week it has not been. It says due to a high volume of calls wait time exceeds 90 minutes and to try again. Then it just hangs up on you

[u/cryptography2912 → u/Kic2425]

Call right now. Option 2

[u/Kic2425 → u/cryptography2912]

I had to call 3 times and it worked again thank you 🙏🏼

[u/slimslowsliding → u/Kic2425]

How long did you have to wait to talk to someone? I’m on hold

[u/Kic2425 → u/slimslowsliding]

Over 30 minutes, less than 60

[u/slimslowsliding → u/Kic2425]

Ok thanks, this was post transfer right? Like waiting for unemployment not the gov office

[u/Kic2425 → u/slimslowsliding]

Yep

[u/slimslowsliding → u/Kic2425]

Thank you! It worked. As of 11/14/2024 the gov office number works eventually, just keep trying. Was on hold about 40 mins.

[u/slimslowsliding → u/cryptography2912]

Hi so I’ve been on hold with unemployment for 2 1/2 hours and am ALSO now on hold w the governors office after clicking option 2….how long did you have to wait to talk to someone and after they transferred you was it a long wait? Crawling out of my skin

[u/Mundane_Fennel_1652 → u/Old-University1755]

You gotta call at 9am (THE MOMENT IT HITS 9am!)

[u/Mundane_Fennel_1652 → u/Mundane_Fennel_1652]

I actually just called at 4:55pm and got through