The unemployment problems worsen here in NY as more unemployed people try to start their claims but are unable to do so.

Link: https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

Good day to you,

If you thought being unemployed was bad, wait until you file for unemployment and is approved but is not able to get your claims started. I thought this was a critical enough issue to share as I have a few friends/associates who are experiencing these issues.

There are a growing number of people who are having this problem where they are required to call in and claim their unpaid waiting week through an 888 number but it has been such of a nightmare getting through to anyone there that it is very depressing. This process must be completed before your weekly claims starts and so if you don’t get that call in you are screwed.

There are people who have been approved for benefits over a month ago and are still unable to get the benefits because they can’t get through to the department that starts off the first claim(s).

One would think that due to the higher than normal applications for unemployment that there would be more resources being put in place to accept these calls or complete the full process online. However, that is not the case and even after calling ten times for the day one still cannot get through. The online website point you to that number to call and when you call it you get the very popular response of, "due to the very high number your call will not be accepted today".

This system is open from 8-5pm and with the thousands of new applicant’s everyday this is very daunting. I can’t understand why the number of applicants is increasing but they are still using a system that is open from 8-5 only. This is ridiculous to say the least. They should make a 24hrs resource available for people to use so that the new people joining in can get through. At the present rate it will take six months to get this process started which only lasts for six months. We’re at an all time 16years high but still using an old outdated system to process the start of these approvals. Wow.

The question now becomes, will they pay the back benefits that were missed since being approved?

So, if you are unemployed and looking forward to receiving this monetary assistance/benefit, hold on to your breath as it may take more than you think to get it. I wish everyone the best in their efforts to get this process started.

Someone should reach out to the governor’s office to alert them of these issues. When we reached out to the Department of Labor we were advised that the process required calling that number and that it couldn’t be that hard to do. We, it’s not hard to call the number, it is just impossible to get through to it.

Keep the faith, hold your head up and have a great day,

~Brett A. Scudder~