Missed NY unemployment interview call - benefits stopped - need lost contact number
Hi Everyone... I was finally receiving my benefits after waiting 9 weeks...everything was going fine until they scheduled me for my 2nd interview. I completely missed the call (totally my fault - had my phone on silent). The interviewer left me a voicemail with his number, which I called back twice on different days but never got a response. About a week later, I got notified that my benefits were stopped because I "failed to attend the mandatory interview." I managed to speak with a rep who sent me a link to submit an explanation for missing the interview. Today I received an official letter in the mail explaining why my benefits were suspended, but I accidentally misplaced it while cleaning! The letter had a specific callback number I need to reach the department that handles missed interviews - I remember it started with area code (835). Has anyone else received this type of letter or might know what this phone number could be? I'm really stressing since my payments have completely stopped. Thanks in advance for any help! Mike
26 comments
JaylinCharles
The callback number you're looking for is most likely (835) 209-5467. That's the direct line to the Missed Interview Resolution Unit. Don't worry, this happens frequently. When you call, be prepared to explain why you missed the call and have your NY.gov ID and claim information ready. They'll likely schedule you for another interview. Just make sure you're available this time - they usually don't make exceptions for second missed calls.
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Brianna Muhammad
•Thank you so much! I'll try calling that number first thing tomorrow morning. Do you know their operating hours? And will they likely schedule me for another interview right away or will there be another long wait?
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Eloise Kendrick
Same thing happened to me last month!!! It's RIDICULOUS how they expect us to be available 24/7 for these calls. I missed mine cause my kid was sick and they cut me off to. Took 3 WEEKS to get it fixed!!
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Brianna Muhammad
•3 weeks?! I can't wait that long... did you have to do anything special to get it fixed or just keep calling?
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Eloise Kendrick
•Had to call basicly every day until someone helped me. The system is broken AF. Good luck man
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Lucas Schmidt
wait why were they interviewing you a second time? i never had to do 2 interviews for my claim
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JaylinCharles
•Second interviews are common for claims that have potential eligibility issues or when additional verification is needed. The DOL sometimes schedules follow-up interviews if they need to clarify information from your initial interview or if something changed with your claim status.
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Freya Collins
After dealing with the same situation last month, I found that the fastest way to resolve missed interview issues is using Claimyr (claimyr.com). The regular phone lines are completely jammed, but Claimyr got me connected to an actual NYSDOL agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. The agent was able to clear my missed interview flag and schedule a new one within the same call. Saved me weeks of stress when my benefits were suspended.
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Brianna Muhammad
•I've never heard of this service before. Has anyone else used it? I'm desperate to get this resolved but hesitant to try something I'm not familiar with.
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LongPeri
•I used Claimyr when my claim got stuck in pending. It works exactly as advertised - they call you when they've secured a place in line with an agent. Definitely worth it when you're in a situation like yours where you need to speak to someone urgently.
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Oscar O'Neil
It's actually (835) 209-3574. I have the letter right in front of me from when I missed my interview in January. They call it the "Eligibility Interview Resolution Department." Their hours are 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday-Friday. Make sure you press option 2 when you call.
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JaylinCharles
•Good catch. You're right about the hours, but I believe the last four digits have changed since January. The current number should be 5467, not 3574. They updated several department phone numbers in March after the new unemployment system update.
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Brianna Muhammad
•This is getting confusing...has anyone successfully called either of these numbers recently? I'm wondering which is correct now.
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Sara Hellquiem
I went through exactly this in February. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call (835) 209-5467 first thing in the morning (they open at 8:00 AM) 2. When prompted, select option 2 for "missed interview rescheduling" 3. Have your case number ready (it's on any correspondence you've received) 4. Explain the situation calmly and ask for a rescheduled interview 5. Most importantly, file an official request for reconsideration using form UI-573R on your NY.gov account The reconsideration form is CRITICAL - if you only call and don't submit this form, they won't process your request. I had my benefits reinstated within 5 business days after doing both steps. Also make sure you continue certifying every week even while your benefits are suspended, otherwise you'll lose those weeks permanently.
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Brianna Muhammad
•Thank you so much for these detailed steps! I didn't know I needed to submit a form too. I'll definitely keep certifying - I almost forgot to do that this week thinking it wouldn't matter while suspended. Really appreciate this help.
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Lucas Schmidt
my cousin works for unemployment she says they're really strict about interviews now. if u miss 2 they can make u pay back benefits!!
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Brianna Muhammad
•Oh no, that's terrifying! I definitely can't afford to pay anything back. I'll make sure I don't miss the next interview no matter what.
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LongPeri
The information above isn't entirely accurate. Let me clarify some things: 1. The correct number is indeed (835) 209-5467 2. Form UI-573R is actually called "Request for Reconsideration of Missed Interview" 3. There is NO automatic payback penalty for missing two interviews 4. They MUST give you an opportunity to show good cause I'm a paralegal who handles unemployment cases. The law requires NYSDOL to allow you to demonstrate good cause for missing an interview before terminating benefits permanently. Document everything - when you called back, who you spoke with, and what was said. This creates a paper trail showing your good-faith effort to comply. Most importantly, don't panic. This happens frequently and is fixable if you follow proper procedures.
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Brianna Muhammad
•Thank you so much for clearing this up! That's a relief about the payback penalty - I was really worried. I'll document everything from now on. Is there anything specific that qualifies as "good cause" that I should mention when I explain why I missed the call?
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LongPeri
•Good cause typically includes: technical issues (phone problems), medical emergencies, family emergencies, or not receiving proper notification. Since you admitted your phone was on silent, your best approach is to emphasize that you immediately attempted to rectify the situation by calling back multiple times. Focus on your prompt efforts to resolve the issue rather than the initial mistake.
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Eloise Kendrick
DONT BOTHER WITH THE REGULAR NUMBERS!!! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get thru to someone. Complete waste of time. Either use that Claimyr thing someone mentioned or try calling at exactly 8:00am when they open. Thats the only time I ever got through.
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Brianna Muhammad
•Good to know, thanks! I'll try right at 8am tomorrow. Did you get your issue resolved when you finally got through?
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Eloise Kendrick
•Yeah they fixed it but only after I practically BEGGED them. The guy kept saying I shoulda answered the call. Like duh obviously but mistakes happen!! Just be super nice on the phone no matter how frustrated u are
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Sara Hellquiem
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that I called the (835) 209-5467 number this morning and got through after about 30 minutes on hold. The representative was able to verify my identity, confirm my missed interview, and schedule a new one for next Tuesday. They also advised me to submit a brief statement through my online account explaining why I missed the call. The agent said as long as I attend the next interview, my benefits should resume within 3-5 business days after that call. Thanks to everyone who provided advice! Hope this helps others in the same situation.
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Brianna Muhammad
•That's fantastic news! I'll try calling tomorrow morning. Did they ask for any specific documents or just your explanation for missing the call? And did you have to file that UI-573R form others mentioned?
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Sara Hellquiem
•They just asked for my NY.gov ID, the last 4 of my SSN, and my explanation. I didn't need any special documents. They actually filled out the UI-573R form while I was on the phone with them - I just had to check my online account later and acknowledge it. The whole call took about 15 minutes once I got through to someone.
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