Need to cancel my NY unemployment fair hearing - what number do I call?
I got scheduled for a fair hearing about my unemployment case next Thursday, but I just found out I can't make it because of a medical procedure I need to get done that day. I tried calling the number on the notice they sent me last week, but it just puts me in an endless phone menu loop. When I finally thought I reached someone, the call dropped. Been trying all day yesterday and today with no luck. Does anyone know the direct number to call to reschedule or cancel a fair hearing appointment with NY unemployment? Or is there an email or website where I can do this? I really don't want to miss this appointment and have my case automatically decided against me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
42 comments
CosmicCommander
The number should be on your hearing notice. Usually its listed right at the top or bottom of the page. You might need to call the general unemployment number if you can't get through on the direct line. You can also try to email them - its usually like fairhearings@labor.ny.gov or something similar. Did you try checking their website? sometimes theres a form you can fill out to request rescheduling.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks! I tried the number multiple times but keep getting transferred around. I'll look for an email address on the notice and try that route instead.
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Natasha Volkova
•dont waste ur time with email. they never respond. call is the only way but goodluck getting thru 😑
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Oliver Zimmermann
•That's what I'm worried about. Been trying to call for two days with no luck...
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Javier Torres
I was in the same situation last month! Got stuck in endless phone loops. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual human at unemployment in like 25 minutes. Was the only way I actually got to talk to a real person who could help me reschedule my hearing. Best money I ever spent after wasting days trying to get through on my own. They also have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Emma Davis
•Is this some kind of scam? Sounds too good to be true tbh
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Javier Torres
•Not a scam at all. I was skeptical too but was desperate after spending 3 days trying to get through. It actually worked - they call and wait on hold for you, then connect you when a real person picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Malik Johnson
•wait so does this actually work? the ny unemployment phone system is literal hell
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Javier Torres
•Yep, worked for me! They basically just do the waiting on hold part for you, then call your phone when they get a human. Saved me from listening to that awful hold music for hours 🙌
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Isabella Ferreira
•another service trying to profit off a broken system... typical 🤦♀️
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Javier Torres
•I get the frustration but honestly I was desperate. Spent 3 days trying to get through on my own with no luck. This actually solved my problem and I was able to reschedule my hearing. Sometimes you gotta do what works.
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Ravi Sharma
If you miss the hearing without canceling they automatically rule against you. Make sure you document EVERYTHING if you're having trouble canceling. Take screenshots of call logs, write down times you tried to call, etc. That way if they try to say you just didn't show up, you have proof you tried to reach them.
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NebulaNomad
Here's the number I used to cancel my fair hearing last year: 1-800-209-8124. But honestly it's terrible trying to get through. I spent literal DAYS trying to reach someone. The system is designed to make you give up 🤮 When you do call, press 1 for English, then 6, then wait, then press 1 again, then 4. That's the sequence that worked for me after trying 50 different combinations.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks so much for the exact sequence! I'll try this right now.
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Freya Thomsen
•That number just leads to the regular unemployment line. If you need the actual fair hearings unit, try 518-402-0205. That's the one I used.
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NebulaNomad
•Oh dang youre right! I mixed up my numbers. The 518 one is specifically for hearings. Good catch!
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Omar Fawaz
You can also try faxing your request to reschedule! I know it sounds ancient but when I couldn't get through on the phone for my hearing, I sent a fax to the number on my hearing notice explaining why I needed to reschedule. Got a call back the next day confirming my new date. Sometimes the old school methods work better with gov agencies.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Wait... people still use fax machines? 😂 Where would I even find one?
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Omar Fawaz
•Lol I know right? You can use online fax services like FaxZero or HelloFax. Some offer free faxes (limited pages). Or go to UPS store, they'll send faxes for a few bucks.
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Chloe Martin
The whole ny unemployment system is designed to make it impossible to get help. I spent LITERALLY 6 hours on hold last week trying to fix an issue with my claim. SIX HOURS. And then they hung up on me. The broken system is intentional - they hope you'll just give up. For your fair hearing, keep calling every 15 minutes. Eventually you'll get through. It's ridiculous but that's the only way.
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Diego Rojas
•THIS. Its not broken by accident, its broken by design to discourage people from claiming benefits they're entitled to.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•FACTS. I worked in a call center before and we had metrics that would literally fire us if we spent too long helping people. The system is cruel by design.
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StarSeeker
I had a similar issue when I needed to reschedule my hearing. Here's what worked for me: First, call early - like 7:58am, right before they open at 8:00am. The queue fills up FAST. Second, if you have access to multiple phones, call from all of them simultaneously to increase your chances of getting through. Third, if you absolutely can't get through, show up to your local unemployment office IN PERSON with your hearing notice and explain. I had to do this as a last resort and they were able to help me reschedule on the spot. The system is frustrating but there are ways to navigate it. Don't give up! claimyr.com is also a good option if you're willing to pay a service to handle the hold time for you.
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Sean O'Donnell
•Going in person is SOLID advice. Nobody ever mentions this option but sometimes it's the only thing that works with these bureaucratic nightmares.
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StarSeeker
•Yep! Just bring ID and all your paperwork. The in-person staff actually have power to help, unlike the phone people who seem to be trained to say no to everything.
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Zara Ahmed
•wait which office did you go to? the regular unemployment office or the special hearings office?
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StarSeeker
•I went to the regular unemployment office in downtown Brooklyn. They have a terminal that connects directly to the hearings unit. Much faster than trying to call!
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Luca Esposito
This isnt a direct answer but just wanted to say the ny unemployment system is a total joke. Took me 4 months to get my benefits after being laid off last summer. make sure you document EVERYTHING. send emails so theres a paper trail in addition to calling. and if you can afford it, use claimyr.com to get through to an actual human. I finally broke down and used them after 2 weeks of failed calls and got my issue fixed in one day after they connected me.
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Nia Thompson
Call your state rep!!! This was the ONLY thing that worked for me. Google your address + state assembly member, call their office and explain your situation. They have special contacts at unemployment that can actually help. My assemblyman's office got my hearing rescheduled in 48 hours after I spent 2 weeks trying on my own.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Oh wow, I never thought of this approach. I'll look up my rep right now. Thank you!
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Mateo Rodriguez
•This is how I got my UI issue fixed too. The rep's office has a direct line to DOL. Why don't they advertise this more?!
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GalaxyGuardian
Did you try logging into your online account? They added a messaging feature a few months ago where you can request changes to appointments. It's buried in the system but might be worth checking. Go to your dashboard, then messages, then "compose new message" and there should be an option for hearing related issues.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks for the tip! I'll check the website again. I didn't see that option before.
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Aisha Abdullah
here's what you need to know about canceling/rescheduling an unemployment hearing in NY (I went through this nightmare twice): - The main fair hearings phone number is: 518-402-0205 - If that doesn't work, call 1-800-209-8124 and use this exact sequence: press 2, then wait for menu, then press 1, then 9, then 2 again - Call exactly at 8:00am when they open or 4:45pm right before close - these are the best times to get someone - If phone doesn't work, you can email: hearings@labor.ny.gov (but they're slow to respond) - As a last resort, you can go to your nearest NY DOL Career Center with your hearing notice and they can help reschedule in person - If absolutely desperate, use claimyr.com - they'll get you through to a person but it costs money (worth it if you're out of options) Don't miss the hearing without rescheduling - they'll automatically rule against you and it's a huge headache to appeal that decision. Good luck!
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Ethan Wilson
•This should be pinned! Best comprehensive answer here 💯
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thank you SO much for this detailed breakdown! This is exactly what I needed.
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Yuki Tanaka
sounds like you got the same run around i did when i tried to cancel my hearing. they make it nearly impossible on purpose. eventually i just sent a certified letter to the address on the hearing notice explaining why i couldnt attend and requesting a new date. i included my contact info and claim number. surprisingly they called me 3 days later to reschedule. might be worth trying if you keep striking out on the phone. at least with certified mail you have proof you tried to contact them.
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Carmen Diaz
•thats actually genius, never thought of certified mail. physical paper trail ftw
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Andre Laurent
If you're still struggling to get through, try calling right at 8:00am AND using a different phone number area code if possible. I've heard the NY unemployment phone system prioritizes certain area codes (no idea if this is true but it worked for me). I used my mom's phone with a 315 area code after failing with my 646 number for days and got through immediately. Weird hack but might be worth trying.
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AstroAce
i had 2 go through this last month. nightmare situation. the number u need is 518-402-0205. BUT good luck getting thru lol. i ended up using this service called claimyr after trying for 3 days straight with no luck. they got me connected to someone in about 30 min and i was able to reschedule. website is claimyr.com if ur desperate like i was
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•did you actually get your issue resolved after they connected you? or was it just another runaround?
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AstroAce
•yeah actually got it fixed! the key is getting to a human. once ur talking to a real person they can usually help. its just GETTING to a person thats impossible without help
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