Has anyone done the mandatory ny unemployment virtual review appointment?

I had one of these back in January. It's not as scary as it sounds. Basically they go through your work search efforts, make sure you're applying to enough jobs each week, and they might give you some career advice. Mine only lasted about 45 minutes, not the full 90. Just make sure you have your work search records updated before the call. They didn't grill me too hard, just asked what types of jobs I've been applying for and if I've had any interviews.

After 2 months of trying to reach someone at ny unemployment, I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from an actual agent within an hour! Talking to a real person finally resolved my issues and I got my payments released. Best decision I made during this whole unemployment nightmare. They have a video showing how it works too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Had mine last week. Honestly it was a waste of time - they just went through a script asking about my job search and giving generic advice. But you DEFINITELY need to do it or they'll cut off your benefits. Find someplace with good reception for the call if your service is spotty.

Make sure you have your work search records UP TO DATE! I had my appointment back in December and they literally went through every week asking what specific jobs I applied to, what websites I used, if I had any interviews, etc. Have all that info ready or you might have problems. I know someone who got their benefits paused because they couldn't provide enough details about their work search efforts.

Look I've been through the NY unemployment system multiple times over the years. These appointments are just their way of checking that you're not sitting on your ass collecting free money. Make sure you can prove you're looking for work (minimum 3 job applications per week), be polite, and you'll be fine. They're not trying to trick you or cut you off - they just need to tick their boxes.

If youre worried about your cell service, try going to your local library for the call. Most have free wifi and you could use a wifi calling app. Thats what I did for my ID.me verification when my home internet went out the day of my appointment 🤦‍♀️

I literally had this exact call yesterday. It's mostly about makng sure your still eligable and checking in on your job search. The lady I talked to was actually really nice and helpful. She even gave me some job leads for my field! Don't stress about it too much it's pretty routine.

Pro tip: Download the JobZone app and update all your info BEFORE the call. They'll ask you about it and it looks good if youve already been using it. Also, they didn't call me until almost 2 hours after my scheduled time, so don't panic if they're late.

If you're having connection issues, here's what I recommend for your virtual appointment with unemployment: 1. Find a location with reliable service (library, coffee shop, friend's house with wifi) 2. Have a backup phone ready if possible (borrow one if needed) 3. Make sure your JobZone profile is 100% complete with an updated resume 4. Keep detailed notes of every job you've applied to (company name, position, date, how you applied) 5. Be ready to explain any gaps in your work search (like if you were sick for a week) 6. If you do lose connection, immediately email the contact they provided to explain I work in HR and deal with the unemployment system regularly. These appointments are standard procedure and if you're genuinely looking for work, you have nothing to worry about. If you need more reliable calling options, check out claimyr.com - they can help ensure you maintain connection with NYSDOL agents. Remember: this is just a checkbox exercise for them, but they do have the power to pause benefits if you seem uncooperative.

Whatever u do DONT MISS THIS APPOINTMENT!! My roommate missed hers and they cut off her benefits for THREE WEEKS until she could get rescheduled. The system is brutal rn.

honestly these appointments are just compliance theater. the ny unemployment system is so overwhelmed they're just going thru the motions. as long as u have some jobs u applied for to talk about you'll be fine

Quick tip since you mentioned connection issues: if the call drops, IMMEDIATELY call back the number they called from and explain what happened. I had my call drop mid-appointment and freaked out, but I called right back and got reconnected with the same person. They're understanding about technical difficulties as long as you make an effort to fix it.

I think these appointments are just their way of making sure people are actually looking for work and not just collecting free $$$. Like others have said, just make sure your job search records are up to date and be honest. Don't make up fake job applications - they sometimes actually verify!

Don't overthink it. I had my call in February. The person was friendly and it only took 40 minutes. Make sure your JobZone account is updated, have applied to at least 3 jobs every week (more is better), and you'll be fine. They might even help you find some job opportunities.

Wait did they specifically say it was going to be a phone call? My letter said virtual and I assumed it was going to be on Zoom or something. Now I'm confused about my upcoming appointment!

They're doing these calls to clean up the unemployment rolls. NY is trying to get their numbers down because the system is still dealing with aftermath of the pandemic overflow. Stupid bureaucracy but what else is new 🙄

After my appointment the agent told me they're required to schedule these for everyone on UI for more than 4 weeks. It's a federal requirement, not just a NY thing. They have quotas to meet for how many people they 'help' with job searches.

NY unemployment system has been a nightmare since forever. I couldn't even get anyone on the phone for weeks until I found claimyr.com which got me through to an agent right away. For your appointment, just be straight with them about your job search and you'll be fine.

FYI these appointments are partly to verify you're not committing fraud. They may ask verification questions about your previous employment and why you left. Be truthful. A friend of mine got caught in a lie during one of these and it caused major problems with her claim.

I went through one of these appointments about a month ago and it really wasn't as intimidating as I expected. The rep was actually pretty understanding about connection issues - I had to call back twice when my call dropped and they were totally fine with it. One thing I'd suggest is writing down a brief summary of each job you've applied to (company, position, date, website used) so you're not scrambling to remember details during the call. They asked me about my last 4-5 applications specifically. Also, if you have any documentation of your spotty cell service (like if you've contacted your provider about it), keep that handy in case you need to explain connection problems. The whole thing felt more like a wellness check than an interrogation. They genuinely seemed interested in helping me improve my job search strategy. Good luck with yours!

I had my appointment about 6 weeks ago and honestly, it went way smoother than I expected! The rep called about 45 minutes late (which was actually better than the 2+ hour delay they warned about). A few things that really helped me prepare: - I made a simple spreadsheet with all my job applications: company name, position, date applied, website used, and current status - Updated my JobZone profile the night before (seriously, do this - they will ask about it) - Had my phone fully charged and stayed near a window for better signal The conversation was pretty straightforward - they asked about my work search efforts, what types of roles I'm targeting, and if I needed any help with resume writing or interview prep. The rep even suggested a few job sites I hadn't tried yet. Since you mentioned connection issues, maybe consider asking a friend or family member if you can use their place for the call if they have more reliable service? Or like someone else suggested, the library might be a good backup plan. You've got this! Just be honest about your job search efforts and you'll be fine. The whole thing took about an hour for me.

I just had my virtual review appointment last week and wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar situation with connection concerns. I live in a rural area with terrible cell service, so I was really worried about maintaining a stable connection for 90 minutes. Here's what worked for me: I drove to the local library and asked if I could use one of their study rooms for an important call. They were totally understanding and let me reserve a quiet room for 2 hours. The wifi there was solid and I used wifi calling on my phone as a backup. The actual call was much more relaxed than I expected. They called about 30 minutes late (not the full 2 hours they warn about), and the rep was really friendly. She went through my work search records, asked about what types of jobs I'm applying for, and even gave me some tips on tailoring my resume for different industries. The whole thing took about 70 minutes. My advice: definitely have your work search records detailed and up to date, make sure your JobZone profile is complete, and find somewhere with reliable connection if your home service is spotty. They're much more understanding about technical difficulties than you'd expect - just be proactive about communicating if something goes wrong. You'll do great! It's really just them making sure you're actively looking for work, which it sounds like you are.

I had my virtual review appointment about 3 weeks ago and can totally relate to your anxiety about it! I was also worried about connection issues since I live in an area with spotty service. Here's what helped me get through it smoothly: 1. **Connection backup plan**: I ended up going to a friend's house who has reliable wifi and used wifi calling. The library idea others mentioned is great too! 2. **Preparation made all the difference**: I spent the evening before organizing all my job search records into a simple document with dates, company names, positions, and how I applied. They asked me about specific applications from the past few weeks. 3. **JobZone profile**: Make sure it's 100% updated with your current resume. They definitely asked about it and seemed to check while we were talking. 4. **They were actually helpful**: The rep I spoke with was genuinely nice and gave me some job search tips I hadn't thought of. She even mentioned some resources for people in my field. The call lasted about an hour (not the full 90 minutes they warn about) and they called about 40 minutes late. Just keep your phone charged and nearby during that window! Honestly, as long as you're genuinely looking for work and have records to show it, you'll be fine. They're not trying to trick you - it really did feel more like a check-in than an interrogation. You've got this!

I just completed my mandatory virtual review appointment last month and wanted to share some tips that really helped me, especially since you mentioned connection concerns! First, about the connection issue - I had the same worry since my home internet can be unreliable. What saved me was going to a local coffee shop with strong wifi and finding a quiet corner. I brought headphones and used my phone's wifi calling feature as backup. The call lasted about 65 minutes, and they called roughly an hour late (way better than the 2-hour warning). Here's what they focused on during my call: - Detailed review of my work search efforts (they wanted specifics about companies, positions, dates) - Whether I was using JobZone effectively (make sure your profile is current!) - Any barriers I was facing in my job search - Resources they could offer to help improve my search strategy The rep was actually really understanding and helpful. When I mentioned I was having trouble finding remote opportunities in my field, she gave me several job boards I hadn't heard of before. My biggest advice: create a simple log of all your job applications with company name, position, date applied, and method (Indeed, company website, etc.). Having this organized made the conversation flow so much smoother. Also, don't stress too much - they genuinely seemed focused on helping rather than finding reasons to cut benefits. You'll do great! Just be prepared and honest about your efforts.