Confusing ny unemployment determination letters - one says eligible, one says not?

Classic NYSDOL... one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. This happened to me too! The system is so broken it's not even funny anymore.

After struggling with the same exact problem last month, I finally got through to someone by using Claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold for you then calls when there's an agent. Talking to a real person got my benefits straightened out in one call! They explained that sometimes the system generates conflicting determinations and only a rep can fix it. Best money I spent to get my benefits flowing again. Check out their explainer video: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Yes this sounds exactly like what happened to me! The hearing is a good sign actually. What happened in my case was that my employer wasn't disputing my claim (hence why they got the approval letter), but the system automatically flagged me for some reason. During the hearing, the judge saw both letters and instantly ruled in my favor.

The exact same thing happened to me about 6 weeks ago! My guess is you're actually approved but there's a glitch in their system. The letter to your employer is probably the correct one.

I work for a nonprofit that helps ppl with unemployment issues. Here's what's likely happening: When there are conflicting determination letters, it usually means the initial automatic determination (usually a denial) was overridden by a human reviewer. However, the system sometimes fails to update YOUR letter while correctly updating the EMPLOYER'S letter. These are the steps I recommend: 1. Attend your hearing regardless - but bring BOTH letters to show the inconsistency 2. Try calling, but do it early morning (7:30am) when wait times are shorter 3. Check your online account - sometimes the correct determination shows there 4. If desperate to reach someone quickly, try claimyr.com - they'll wait on hold for you (many of our clients have used them successfully) 5. Document everything, including all communication attempts The fact that your employer got an approval letter is actually a very good sign. Most likely you ARE eligible but the system glitched. Don't panic!

Sounds like you got lucky tbh... keep that employer letter safe!!! If they try to make you pay anything back later you have proof they approved you.

oh man the same exact thing happened to me. took me FOREVER to get someone on the phone. its so annoying that they send contradicting info and expect us to figure it out.

Just curious - does your online account match either of these letters? Sometimes the online portal has different info than what they mail out.

Call them asap!!! NY unemployment is so disorganized right now you need to get this straightened out before they try to make you pay anything back. Try calling the second they open.

My cousin works for unemployment (different state tho) and she says this happens sometimes when the automatic system makes one determination but then a human reviewer overrides it. The problem is they dont always update all the letters in the system. Most likely the letter to your employer is the correct one.

I had a similarly frustrating experience and wasted DAYS trying to call. I eventually used claimyr.com which got me connected to an agent without me having to wait on hold. The agent explained that this happens sometimes when there's conflicting info in your case - in my situation it was an automatic denial that a human reviewer had overturned but the letters got crossed. Talking to the agent got it fixed in minutes.

RECORD EVERYTHING. Take pictures of all letters, note times of all calls, and document everything. NY unemployment has been a complete disaster and when things go wrong they try to blame the claimant.

Not sure if this helps but I had almost the exact same situation happen. Turned out I was actually eligible - the contradicting letters were a system error. But I still had to go through with the hearing to get it officially resolved.

Im sorry but im laughing so hard right now 😂 This is peak ny unemployment incompetence... sending you directly contradicting letters on the same day. You cant make this stuff up.

I spent 9+ hours on hold with them over 3 days last month and never got through. I finally broke down and used a service called Claimyr that called for me (claimyr.com) - they connected me with an agent who explained that childcare issues should qualify you. Make sure you bring documentation of your childcare situation to your hearing! Got my determination fixed and money started coming the next week.

Honestly I'd be HAPPY about this mix-up. You have literal proof that they determined you're eligible! Most people don't get to see what the employer gets.