What happens if you miss unemployment phone interview with NYS Department of Labor?
I had a phone interview scheduled with NYS Department of Labor today at 2pm about my claim and I completely missed it because I was at a doctor's appointment that ran way over. My phone was on silent and I didn't see the missed call until 4pm. Now I'm panicking - what happens next? Will they automatically deny my claim? Can I reschedule or explain what happened? This is my first time dealing with unemployment and I'm really worried I just screwed everything up.
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ShadowHunter
Don't panic! Missing a phone interview doesn't automatically disqualify you. NYS Department of Labor will likely send you a determination letter explaining that you failed to participate in the interview, but you have appeal rights. You should immediately call them to explain the medical emergency and request a rescheduled interview. Document everything about your doctor's appointment as proof.
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Chloe Taylor
•Thank you so much! Should I call the main unemployment line or is there a specific number for rescheduling interviews?
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Diego Ramirez
this happened to my brother last year and he was able to get it rescheduled. Just make sure you have documentation of the doctors appointment
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Anastasia Sokolov
You need to act fast though. NYS Department of Labor typically gives you a limited window to respond once they issue a determination. The good news is that a medical appointment is considered good cause for missing the interview. Call the adjudication unit directly and explain the situation. Have your appointment confirmation or receipt ready as proof.
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Sean O'Connor
•How long do you usually have to appeal if they deny you for missing the interview? I'm in a similar situation.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•Usually 30 days from the date of the determination letter, but don't wait that long. Call immediately to try to reschedule before they even issue a denial.
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Zara Ahmed
I've been trying to reach NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my own adjudication issues and can never get through. The phone system is absolutely broken. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person within an hour. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth trying if you can't get through the normal way.
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Chloe Taylor
•Really? I've been calling for days with no luck. How much does something like that cost?
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Zara Ahmed
•They focus on getting you connected rather than the cost. Honestly after weeks of frustration it was worth it just to talk to someone who could actually help with my situation.
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Luca Conti
Wait, are you sure it was actually NYS Department of Labor calling? I've heard of scams where people pretend to be from unemployment offices. Did you verify the number?
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Chloe Taylor
•Yes, I got the interview notice in my my.ny.gov account last week with the date and time. It was definitely legitimate.
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Nia Johnson
UGH the whole system is such a mess! I missed my interview because they called at the wrong time - my notice said 3pm but they called at 2:30pm. When I called back they acted like it was MY fault. These people have NO accountability whatsoever.
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ShadowHunter
Just to add - when you do get through to reschedule, ask them to note in your file that you had a medical emergency. Also request that they send you written confirmation of the new interview date and time. Sometimes there are communication issues and you want everything documented.
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KaiEsmeralda
•This is really good advice! I learned the hard way to always get things in writing when dealing with government agencies. @Chloe Taylor - also make sure to keep a record of when you called them back and who you spoke with. Having a paper trail can really help if there are any disputes later about what was said or agreed to.
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Amara Nwosu
I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Missing the interview is stressful but definitely not the end of the world. Here's what worked for me: I called the main unemployment number first thing the next morning and explained I had a medical emergency. They transferred me to the adjudication unit who was actually pretty understanding. I had to fax over my doctor's appointment confirmation and a brief letter explaining what happened. They rescheduled me for the following week and everything worked out fine. The key is to be proactive and call them before they send you any denial notices. Also, when you do get your rescheduled interview, answer the phone 5-10 minutes early and keep it nearby - they sometimes call a few minutes before the scheduled time. You've got this!
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Jay Lincoln
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your experience @Amara Nwosu. It's really reassuring to know someone went through the same thing and it worked out. I'm definitely going to call first thing tomorrow morning and get that documentation ready. The tip about answering early is super helpful too - I had no idea they might call ahead of the scheduled time. Feeling much less panicked now!
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