How to make an appointment with NYS Department of Labor unemployment office?
I've been trying to figure out how to schedule an appointment with my local NYS Department of Labor office but I can't find any clear information on their website. My claim has been stuck in adjudication for over a month and I think I need to speak with someone in person. Does anyone know if they still do in-person appointments or is everything phone-based now? I've tried calling the main number but just get stuck in the automated system.
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Giovanni Martello
Most NYS Department of Labor offices stopped doing walk-in appointments during COVID and haven't brought them back. You'll need to call the main unemployment line and specifically ask to schedule a phone appointment with an adjudicator. When you get through, tell them you need an appointment for adjudication review, not just general questions.
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Grant Vikers
•Thanks! Do you know what number I should call? The main one just keeps transferring me around.
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Savannah Weiner
ugh same problem here, been calling for weeks and can never get through to make an appointment. the system is totally broken
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Levi Parker
•I had this exact issue last month. After weeks of trying to reach someone, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to a real NYS Department of Labor agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
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Libby Hassan
just a heads up that if your claim is in adjudication you might not need an appointment at all, sometimes they just need additional documentation that you can submit online through the portal
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Grant Vikers
•I already submitted everything they asked for though. My account doesn't show any pending issues.
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Hunter Hampton
The NYS Department of Labor appointment system is a joke. I've been trying to get someone on the phone for 3 weeks about my overpayment notice and they just tell me to wait. Meanwhile bills are piling up and they want their money back immediately. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up.
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Sofia Peña
•I feel you on this. The wait times are ridiculous and then they act like they're doing you a favor when they finally answer.
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Mason Davis
I went through this same nightmare a few months ago. What finally worked for me was calling the main number (888-209-8124) first thing in the morning right at 8 AM when they open - you have a better chance of getting through. When you do get connected, don't let them transfer you around. Be very specific and say "I need to schedule an adjudication appointment for my unemployment claim that has been pending for over a month." They should be able to schedule a phone appointment within 1-2 weeks. Also keep all your documentation ready because they might ask you to fax or email additional paperwork before the appointment.
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Paolo Longo
•This is super helpful, thank you! I've been calling at random times during the day which probably explains why I keep getting stuck in the queue. I'll definitely try the 8 AM strategy tomorrow. Quick question - when you say "adjudication appointment," did they understand exactly what you meant or did you have to explain further? I want to make sure I use the right terminology so they don't just brush me off.
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Andre Moreau
•@Mason Davis I tried your 8 AM calling strategy this morning and it worked! Got through after only about 20 minutes on hold. The agent knew exactly what I meant when I said adjudication "appointment -" apparently that s'the standard term they use. She scheduled me for a phone appointment next Tuesday. Thanks for the tip about being specific and not letting them transfer you around, that was key!
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Natasha Petrov
I had a similar issue with my claim being stuck in adjudication. What helped me was also contacting my local assemblyperson's office - they have a constituent services department that can sometimes help expedite these situations. I called my assemblyperson's office, explained the situation, and they actually reached out to the Department of Labor on my behalf. Within a week I got a call from an adjudicator to resolve my case. It's worth trying if the direct calling approach doesn't work out. You can find your assemblyperson by entering your zip code on the NY Assembly website.
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Owen Jenkins
•@Natasha Petrov That s'brilliant advice about contacting the assemblyperson s'office! I never would have thought of that approach. For anyone else reading this, it s'also worth noting that many assemblyperson offices have online forms where you can submit a request for help with state agency issues, so you don t'necessarily have to call. This seems like a great backup plan if the 8 AM calling strategy doesn t'pan out. Thanks for sharing what worked for you!
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Connor O'Neill
I'm dealing with the same frustrating situation right now - my claim has been in adjudication for 6 weeks and I can barely get anyone on the phone. Reading through these responses has been super helpful though. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy that Mason mentioned, and if that doesn't work out, reaching out to my assemblyperson's office sounds like a solid backup plan. It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get basic help with our claims, but at least now I have some concrete steps to follow instead of just randomly calling throughout the day. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked for you!
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Logan Chiang
•@Connor O'Neill I totally understand your frustration - 6 weeks is way too long to be stuck in limbo! I'm in a similar boat but only at 3 weeks so far. One thing I noticed from reading through all these responses is that having all your documentation ready seems really important. Mason mentioned they might ask for additional paperwork during the appointment, so maybe it's worth gathering everything now while we're trying to get through. Also, I'm curious if anyone knows whether there are specific days of the week that tend to be better for getting through? The 8 AM strategy sounds promising but I wonder if Mondays are worse because of weekend backlog, or if Fridays are better because fewer people call then?
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