Confused about NY unemployment benefits - got MEUC approval letter with new rate but didn't reapply for UI

It sounds like the system might be processing your MEUC application as a continuation of benefits. When did your original benefits exhaust exactly? Have you been certifying weekly still even though your benefits ran out?

You might be eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) which automatically kicks in when regular UI exhausts, depending on NY's current unemployment rate. The MEUC is just an additional payment ON TOP of other unemployment benefits - it's not a standalone program. You can't receive MEUC without already being on some form of unemployment. That new benefit rate letter is probably showing what your combined rate would be IF you were still receiving benefits. You definitely need to reapply for regular UI or check if you qualify for an extension.

The same EXACT thing happened to my brother-in-law!!! He got the MEUC approval and thought his benefits would start again, waited 3 weeks with nothing, then called and they told him he needed to file a NEW CLAIM entirely. The system is so confusing!

You need to file a new UI claim immediately. MEUC is an add-on program, not a standalone benefit. What happened is the system approved you for the add-on but you don't have the base benefit to add it to. Once you reapply for UI and get approved, the MEUC will attach to that. Make sure to explain the situation and ask if they can backdate your new UI claim to when your previous benefits exhausted.

i did the same thing last year lol. got all excited when i saw the MEUC letter but then no money ever came. had to call them like 50 times before i finally got someone to explain it to me

If you need to get through to a NY unemployment agent, try using Claimyr. I was in a similar situation last month - desperate to talk to someone, and calling hundreds of times with no luck. Found this service at claimyr.com that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a demo video (https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE) showing how it works. Basically saves you from having to call repeatedly yourself. It was honestly worth it to finally get my MEUC questions answered by a real person who could see my account.

This is a perfect example of why the NYSDOL system is so broken. They send out letters that make NO SENSE to the average person, give you no clear directions on what to do next, and then when you follow what you THINK is right, you end up losing weeks of benefits you're entitled to. I've been dealing with their nonsense for months. The whole system needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch. Sorry you're dealing with this.

I want to clarify something important: in 2025, MEUC is still available but the rules have changed slightly. You need to have an active UI claim, but you also need to have earned at least $5,000 in self-employment income in the year prior to your initial claim. Make sure you have documentation of your self-employment income ready when you reapply, as you'll need to verify this for both your UI claim and the MEUC add-on.

did u ever find out if they go back and give u the money from when ur benefits ran out until now? i'm worried about the same thing happening to me soon

Just to follow up on this thread - I've helped several clients with similar situations. When you file your new UI claim, make sure to use the "Comments" section at the end of the application to explain your situation. Specifically state: "I previously exhausted UI benefits and received MEUC approval letter dated [date]. I'm requesting this new claim be backdated to [date your benefits exhausted] due to confusion caused by the MEUC approval." This written record is important if you need to appeal later.