How to request a NY unemployment hearing after denial - urgent help needed

You have 30 days from the date on your determination notice to request a hearing. The easiest way is to log into your NY.gov account, go to your unemployment dashboard, and look for the 'Request a Hearing' option under the determinations section. You can also mail in Form LO-435, which you can download from the NYSDOL website. Make sure you include a copy of your determination notice and any supporting documents that prove your case.

i had same problem last month... the hearing button is kinda hidden on the website. go to your messages tab first then look for the determination letter, then theres a tiny link at the bottom that says request hearing. easy to miss!!

The whole NY unemployment system is DESIGNED to be confusing so people give up!!! They WANT you to miss deadlines. I got denied twice before I finally won my appeal. The hearing process is actually pretty fair once you get there, but they make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to reach that point!!!

When I needed to appeal my denial in 2025, I couldn't find the request button either and couldn't get through on the phone for days. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach an agent. They got me connected in about 30 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent confirmed my appeal request over the phone and even expedited it since I was almost at the deadline. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - definitely worth it when you're in a time crunch like this.

After you request the hearing make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the appeal!!! This is super important. If you win your appeal, they'll only pay you for weeks you properly certified for. I learned this the hard way and lost out on almost $2000 because I stopped certifying during my appeal process.

I went through a hearing back in January. Here's what helped me win: 1. Organized all my evidence (screenshots, emails, paystubs) with dates clearly marked 2. Wrote down a timeline of events to reference during the hearing 3. Practiced explaining my situation clearly without rambling 4. Had my former supervisor write a letter confirming the circumstances of my separation 5. Showed up 15 minutes early to the phone hearing The hearing itself was surprisingly formal - the judge swears you in and everything. Stay calm, stick to facts, and don't interrupt the employer's rep if they're there. My hearing took about 35 minutes, and I got the decision 8 days later. Good luck!

I had my appeal in February and they actually denied me AGAIN at the hearing, but then I appealed THAT decision to the Appeal Board and finally won. Don't give up if the first hearing doesn't go your way!

I'm actually going through almost the exact same thing right now. I requested my hearing 3 weeks ago and just got a letter yesterday with my hearing date for next month. The waiting is awful. I've been borrowing money from family just to keep afloat. This whole system feels designed to break people down.

One final important tip: If you win your hearing, there can still be a delay before payments resume. Contact your state representative if it takes more than 2 weeks after a favorable decision to see any action on your claim. They can often expedite things through their NYSDOL contacts. Your local assembly person or state senator's office can be surprisingly helpful with unemployment issues.