Hi Caitlin, is seems like you're not the only one struggling and frustrated by the NY state unemployment claims process. “The volume of the calls has been so great it has literally crushed the phone system,” according to this recent Daily News article, see Out of work and out of money: New Yorkers remain frustrated by overburdened state unemployment system.

The NY claims agency is working with Google to try to improve the delivery system and the state is currently hiring additional claims representatives to help manage the volume of pending and new claims being filed on a daily basis.

Keep certifying your weekly benefits and try to exercise some patience while the state continues to find methods to improve the processing system. Elyssa Duncan recently shared an article with alternative support resources you can explore to discover other options, see Extra unemployment benefits (FPUC).

Click on the article link above for instant access to the article and check if there are any other resources you can tap into while the NY state agency figures everything out. Stay Encouraged!