Do NY unemployment hearings send notification letters for virtual appointments?

Yes, NYSDOL will send you an official hearing notice by mail with all the details - date, time, and how to join the virtual hearing. They typically send this 10-14 days before your scheduled hearing. The letter will include instructions for the virtual platform they're using (usually Microsoft Teams in 2025). Make sure your mailing address is current in your account!

they SHOULD send u a letter but mine never came and i missed my hearing!!! had to reschedule and it delayed my benefits by like 6 weeks. check ur online account every couple days just to be safe

The hearing notice will be mailed to you AND it should appear in your online message center too. Double-check both places. The notice includes: - Exact date and time of hearing - Virtual meeting link (they use Microsoft Teams now) - Phone number alternative if you can't connect online - Your rights during the hearing - Documents you should have ready If you don't receive anything within 3 weeks of requesting the hearing, call them - though good luck getting through on those phone lines.

I had a hearing back in January and never received ANY notification in my online account, only the paper letter. And it came just 5 days before the hearing date! Almost missed it completely. The system is a complete mess. I'd recommend calling to confirm once a week if you don't hear anything.

After dealing with this exact problem last month, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me finally reach an agent to confirm my hearing date. I was worried because my mail has been unreliable lately. The service connected me to an unemployment rep in about 12 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - it basically holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. Saved me a ton of stress about missing my hearing.

In my experience the hearing notice came in the mail but AFTER the actual hearing date was supposed to happen!! I had to go through this whole complicated process to get it rescheduled. The ALJ was actually nice about it but it delayed everything by 2 months. NYSDOL is completely dysfunctional.

One more important thing - make sure you're checking both your regular mail AND any email address associated with your unemployment account. In 2025, NYSDOL has been transitioning to more digital communication, but they're inconsistent about it. Some people get email notifications, others only get paper mail, and some get both. If you don't receive a notice within 15 days of requesting your hearing, I strongly recommend calling the Telephone Claims Center at 888-209-8124. Be prepared for a long wait, though.

my roomate had a hearing in march & they just sent him a letter. came like 2 weeks b4 the hearing date

To prepare for your hearing, I recommend gathering these documents ahead of time: 1. Copy of your initial claim application 2. Any determination notices you've received 3. Employment records (dates, pay stubs, etc.) 4. Any correspondence with your employer 5. Your separation notice or termination letter 6. Notes about the issue in dispute Have these organized before your hearing, as the ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) will appreciate your preparedness, and it will help your case go smoothly. Virtual hearings typically last 30-45 minutes.

guys am i the only one whos microphone never works on these stupid Teams meetings?? my last hearing was a disaster cuz i could hear them but they couldnt hear me and i had to use the chat box the whole time

I went through this same process about 6 months ago and can share what worked for me. NYSDOL did send me a physical letter with all the hearing details about 12 days before the scheduled date. However, I also got an email notification to the address I had on file with them - so definitely make sure your email is updated in your online account. One tip that saved me: I called the hearing office directly (not the main unemployment line) about a week after requesting my hearing just to confirm they had received my appeal and to ask about timing. The number was on my determination letter. That call gave me peace of mind that everything was moving forward properly. Also, when you do get your hearing notice, they'll include a "test meeting" link so you can check your computer setup beforehand. Definitely use that! Good luck with your hearing!

Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone! I'm feeling a lot better about this now. Based on what you've all shared, it sounds like I should expect a mailed notice in the next week or two, and I'll keep checking my online account and email regularly just in case. I really appreciate the tips about testing Teams beforehand and having all my documents ready. It's reassuring to know that even though the system has issues, people do get through this process successfully. I'll definitely call to confirm if I don't hear anything within 15 days like @Danielle Campbell suggested.