Board offices open by appointment beginning October 8, 2024

Starting October 8, 2024, multiple NYS Workers’ Compensation Board offices statewide will be reopening for in-person hearings and services by appointment.  Virtual hearings will remain the standard statewide for all hearing locations.

Hearings

Any party attending a virtual hearing on or after October 8, 2024, can request to have their next workers’ compensation hearing in person at a Board location.  Such requests should be made directly to the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge during a scheduled virtual hearing.  Otherwise, hearings will remain virtual.  In-person hearings will bring the injured worker, their legal representative (if applicable), and other parties (if they so choose) together at a physical Board location for their hearing.  Please note that attorneys and legal representatives will be required to accompany their clients to all in-person hearings or find an appropriate substitute to accompany them.

Services

Injured workers and other stakeholders will also be able to request in-person appointments at a Board office for support services and other Board resources.  This includes:

• free appointments with our Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors or Licensed Master Social Workers
• using Board computers for case-related activities or to complete a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from New York State Workers’ Compensation and/or Disability Benefits Insurance Coverage (Form CE-200).

These in-person appointments can be requested on or after October 8, 2024, by calling the Board’s Customer Service line at (844) 337-6301 or by e-mailing VocRehab@wcb.ny.gov or SocialWorkers@wcb.ny.gov for the relevant support.  Note: The phone line and e-mail addresses are not available for requesting an in-person hearing; as indicated above, those requests should be made directly to the Judge during a scheduled virtual hearing.  Note that in-person hearings and appointments for Allegany and Jamestown will be held in Buffalo, New City in White Plains, and Plattsburgh in Menands.  Please see the Locations page of the Board’s website for more details on all locations.  Reopening with this by-appointment approach will enable the Board to offer an important public service while efficiently managing hearing calendars and local staffing requirements based on demand.  The Board will evaluate the success of this approach over time and make any modifications as appropriate.  Please watch for more information.