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NY unemployment benefits cut off after missing interview call - need that 835 phone number

After waiting almost 10 weeks to get my unemployment benefits started, everything was going fine until they scheduled a follow-up interview. Problem is they called when I was in the bathroom and I missed it. The agent left a voicemail with their number, which I called back twice over the next few days but never got a response. Then suddenly about 9 days later, my payments completely stopped. When I finally reached someone, they told me it was because I "didn't attend" my interview (even though they never rescheduled). That rep sent me a form to explain why I missed the call, which I filled out right away. Today I got an official letter explaining why my benefits were terminated and giving me a specific number to call to fix it. The number started with 835... but my dog knocked over my coffee onto the letter and now I can't read the full number. Has anyone else dealt with this specific situation or know what the callback number is for missed interview reinstatements? I'm desperate to get my payments going again.

same EXACT thing happend to me last summer. The system is totally rigged against us. They call once, at a random time, and if you miss it they act like you're committing fraud or something. I had to use this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to finally get someone on the phone after being hung up on 20+ times. It was the best money I ever spent because I got all my backpay released the same day I talked to the rep. They also have a helpful video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Hmm sounds sketchy. Does this actually work? Im hesitant to use random services

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yeah I was skeptical too but I was desperate after 3 weeks with no money. It literally just calls for you and stays on hold, then connects you when a real person answers. saved me like 4 hours of hold music lol

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another day another 'miracle solution' that probably doesn't work... 🙄

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believe what you want but after 2 months of getting nowhere, I had my case fixed in 20 minutes once I got through. Just sharing what worked for me 🤷‍♀️

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I used claimyr too and they actually got me thru. was shocked when my phone rang with a real live unemployment agent on the other end!

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The phone number is 835-905-5692. I got the same letter last month when I missed my interview because I was at a doctor's appointment. Seriously, who schedules important calls without confirming a time first??? The ny unemployment system is so broken.

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Thank you so much!! You're a lifesaver! Did you end up getting your benefits back after calling?

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Yeah but it took another 3 weeks of processing time, which is total BS because they were the ones who messed up in the first place. Make sure you call first thing in the morning or you'll never get through.

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Wait that number is actually 835-905-5682. The 9 and 8 are switched in what you wrote. I just called yesterday.

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Oh crap ur right, my bad! Thanks for catching that typo!

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This is classic NYSDOL. They make it IMPOSSIBLE to actually talk to someone and then penalize YOU when their system fails. I spent 6 months fighting a similar issue. You need to document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots, record calls (NYS is one-party consent), save emails. Get ready for a battle because they won't make this easy.

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I know EXACTLY how you feel right now. The anxiety of dealing with NY unemployment is worse than being unemployed itself sometimes! This happened to me in February. The number should be 835-678-4140 if it's the missed interview reinstatement line. But honestly good luck getting through... I called 47 times over 3 days before someone picked up.

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47 times??? omg I don't have the patience for that. Did you try calling at specific times when it's less busy?

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Early morning (like right when they open) or about an hour before they close seemed to have shorter wait times. But the whole system is just overwhelmed still. If you get the 'call volume too high' message, hang up and redial immediately. sometimes you can slip through.

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Ugh the whole NY unemployment system is designed to make people give up. Here's what you need to do: 1. Keep calling that 835 number (I think it's 835-905-5682 for missed interviews) until you get through 2. While you're trying to reach them by phone, also send a secure message through your online account explaining the situation 3. Contact your state representative/assembly person - they can sometimes expedite cases 4. Consider using claimyr.com to get through the phone lines - it costs a bit but they will wait on hold for you and connect when a human answers 5. When you finally talk to someone, ask for a supervisor immediately if they can't help you 6. Request that they backdate your payments once the issue is resolved 7. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, names of representatives you speak with Don't let them wear you down. This is YOUR money that YOU are entitled to. The system is deliberately frustrating, but persistence is key. I went through this last year and eventually got all my money, including backpay for the weeks they wrongfully denied me.

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This is INCREDIBLY helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out. I'm definitely going to try contacting my assembly person, never thought of that!

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Just want to add that the assembly person trick WORKS. My case was stuck for months until I reached out to my local rep. They have dedicated contacts at unemployment who can flag your case.

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No problem! And yeah, contacting your assembly person is the secret weapon most people don't know about. They can't fix everything, but they often have direct channels to DOL staff that bypass the regular phone lines.

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I can vouch for claimyr too. Used it last week when I was ready to throw my phone through a window after being on hold for 3+ hours. Got a callback with an actual agent in like 45 mins.

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The 835 number is probably fake. All legit NY state numbers start with 888, 800, or 518. I'd be careful calling random numbers, could be a scam. Always go through the official website to get contact info.

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That's not true. NY unemployment has multiple area codes including 835 for some of their specialized departments. I've called them myself.

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Are you sure? I've never seen an 835 number from them before. Just be careful giving out personal info to random numbers.

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The 835 numbers are real. They started using them after the pandemic when they expanded their call centers. I've called several times.

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sorry bout your situation 😕 The unemployment system is such a joke. They expect us to be available 24/7 for their random calls but they NEVER pick up when we call them. like how is that fair????

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Try 835-905-5682. And if you get through, you better say a little prayer first. Honestly it's easier to win the lottery than to get a helpful person at NY unemployment. They'll probably make you verify your identity 500 times and then tell you to call a different number 🤡

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thanks for the number! and lol yeah I'm bracing myself for the runaround. Did you have a similar problem?

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Oh yeah... they said I didn't respond to an email I never received, then cut off my benefits for 6 weeks. Pure chaos over there.

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Pro tip: when you call, immediately ask for a tier 2 specialist. The first person who answers usually can't do anything except read scripts. Say "I need to speak with a claims specialist about a missed interview reinstatement" right away. Saves so much time.

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This is great advice, thank you! I'll definitely try this approach.

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100% this ☝️ The frontline reps can't actually fix anything. You need to get to tier 2.

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I'm gonna go against the crowd here and say something apparently controversial: the NY unemployment system actually works fine IF you follow all their rules exactly. They told you there would be an interview, you missed it, now there are consequences. That's how it works. They can't keep rescheduling for everyone who misses calls.

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Found the unemployment office employee 🙄

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lmao okay bootlicker. They literally call with no warning at random times and if you're in the bathroom you lose your ability to pay rent. totally reasonable system!

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I'm just saying they have to have some kind of system. Millions of people apply. If everyone got unlimited chances to reschedule it would be even more backed up.

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The problem is they don't SCHEDULE anything. They just call whenever and if you miss it once you're screwed. That's not a functional system.

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The real number is 835-925-4682. I just dealt with this last week. But prepare yourself: they're going to make you reapply completely from scratch and you'll probably lose 2-3 weeks of benefits in the process. The system is designed to save the state money by making everything so frustrating that people give up.

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Have you tried the general helpline? 888-209-8124? Sometimes they can look up your specific case and give you the right number to call. Be prepared to wait on hold for 2+ hours tho 💀

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I tried that first but kept getting disconnected after waiting for an hour 😩

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Yup sounds about right. The system hangs up on you after a certain time limit. It's like they're doing everything possible to prevent you from getting help.

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I know this sounds crazy but have you tried Twitter? @NYSLabor sometimes responds to DMs and can help escalate cases. I got desperate after 3 weeks of calling and DMed them, and they actually fixed my issue within 2 days.

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This actually works 👆 Social media teams have more power than the phone reps sometimes because they're trying to avoid public complaints.

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check your spam folder! sometimes they send follow-up emails there. also the 835 numbers change frequently so even if someone gives you one it might be outdated by now. just fyi

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this is y i always answer ALL calls when im on unemployment, even spam ones. you never know when its gonna be them. and they LOVE to call from random numbers that look like spam. the whole system is a trap designed to disqualify as many people as possible.

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fr fr I had an agent call me from her personal cell once when the office phones were down. Looked like a total spam number but it was actually legit.

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WRITE TO YOUR STATE SENATOR!!! I cannot stress this enough. After 2 months of getting nowhere with unemployment, I emailed my state senator's office and they fixed everything in 3 days. They have special channels to DOL that regular people don't have access to.

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That's amazing! Do you just find their contact info online and explain the situation?

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Yep! Google "[your area] NY state senator" and their website will have a contact form. Explain your situation clearly, include your claim number, and mention you've tried all normal channels without success. They usually have staff dedicated to helping constituents with unemployment issues.

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The number is 835-905-5682 but it's basically impossible to get through. I used claimyr.com after trying for 2 weeks on my own and they got me connected to a live agent in about 40 mins. Best decision ever since the agent was able to fix my similar issue and release all my back payments on the spot.

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Did you need to give them any personal info or just your phone number?

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Just my phone number so they could connect the call when an agent picked up. They don't ask for any unemployment info or anything like that. It was super easy.

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I'm too paranoid to try these services but my cousin used it and said it worked. Might be worth it if you're desperate.

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Might be 835-687-4820? That's the number I had to call for something similar. But tbh good luck getting through. I ended up having to physically go down to the local labor office to get it sorted out. If you live near one, sometimes in-person is the only way to actually resolve these issues.

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There's an actual physical office you can go to?? I had no idea!

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Yep! NY has career centers throughout the state where unemployment staff sometimes work. Google "NY Career Center near me" - some require appointments but others take walk-ins.

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