If you cannot attend the hearing you should immediately contact the hearing department (generally by phone) to find out how to request an adjournment (rescheduling) of your hearing. Make sure to follow up on any such request by confirming it in writing (and to retain a copy) in order to make a paper record. You should explain why you are unable to attend and ask for it to be rescheduled. In some states (e.g. New York), the agency may deny your request for an adjournment, but will still allow you to request a new hearing after the first hearing goes forward without you.