Denied NY unemployment but still able to certify weekly - should I continue claiming?

probly just a glitch in their system lol. Id keep claiming as long as they let you, worst case they'll just say no again

DO NOT KEEP CERTIFYING!!! This is a common system issue with NY unemployment in 2025. The certification system doesn't automatically update when denial determinations are processed. If you keep certifying and somehow get paid, they WILL find out and you'll have to pay it all back with penalties. I went through this exact situation last month.

Actually, it depends on WHY you were denied. The letter should specify the exact reason. If you were denied for base period wages, you might be eligible for a different type of claim. Some people get denied for regular UI but qualify for other programs. Don't just stop certifying without getting clarification first.

I had a similar situation back in January. Got denied but could still certify. Turns out I was denied for regular benefits but qualified for an alternate base period claim. The system was letting me claim while they processed the alternate claim. If I had stopped claiming, I would have lost weeks of benefits.

This is one of those situations where you NEED to talk to an actual agent. The online system is notoriously confusing in these edge cases. I tried calling for 3 days straight and couldn't get through until I used Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent explained that my denial was for regular UI but I qualified for a different program, so I needed to continue certifying. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Let me clarify what's happening here based on my experience working with claimants: 1. When you receive a denial based on insufficient base period wages, the system automatically evaluates you for an Alternate Base Period (ABP) claim. 2. The system allows you to continue certifying during this evaluation period. 3. If you qualify under ABP, those certifications will be paid. If not, no benefits will be issued. 4. IMPORTANT: The denial letter should specifically state whether you're being considered for ABP. Check the letter carefully for this information. 5. If the letter doesn't mention ABP evaluation, you should contact NYSDOL immediately for clarification before continuing to certify.

The SAME EXACT thing happened to me!!! I got denied in February then approved in March and they backdated all my payments!! The system is SO CONFUSING i hate it!!!! Make sure u keep certifying every week so if they do approve u later u get all ur back pay!!!

I'm glad someone mentioned Claimyr. After trying for a week to get through on my own (literally 40+ calls), I used them and got connected in about 25 minutes. The agent explained that my denial letter was only for regular UI, but they were processing my claim under ABP (which uses more recent wages). She told me to keep certifying while that determination was being made. Without that clarification, I would have stopped certifying and lost weeks of potential benefits.

After reviewing all the advice here, I think your best course of action is: 1. Carefully read your denial letter to see if it mentions evaluating you for Alternate Base Period (ABP) 2. Continue certifying weekly while this evaluation is happening 3. Contact NYSDOL for clarification - yes, it's difficult to reach them, but necessary in your situation 4. Keep documentation of all your certifications and any communication with NYSDOL This is a common situation that confuses many claimants. The system's design isn't user-friendly, but there's likely a legitimate reason you can still certify.

I went through something very similar last year! The key thing to understand is that NY unemployment has two different base periods they can use to calculate your eligibility. When you get denied for insufficient wages in the regular base period, they automatically check your "alternate base period" which uses more recent wage data. That's why you can still certify - the system keeps you active while they process this second evaluation. I'd definitely recommend continuing to certify weekly because if you do get approved under the alternate base period, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you properly certified. Just make sure to keep records of everything in case you need to reference it later. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me, but I eventually got approved and received all my back benefits.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I got denied for regular UI two weeks ago but can still certify. After reading everyone's responses, I checked my denial letter more carefully and it does mention the alternate base period evaluation. I've been so stressed thinking I was doing something wrong by continuing to certify, but now I understand it's actually the right thing to do. Has anyone here had experience with how long the ABP evaluation typically takes? I know Emma mentioned 6 weeks, but I'm wondering if that's pretty standard or if it varies a lot. Also keeping detailed records of everything like you all suggested - screenshots, dates, everything. This whole system is so confusing but at least this community helps make sense of it all!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread is a lifesaver! Got my denial letter last week for insufficient base period wages but the system still lets me certify. I was panicking thinking I might accidentally commit fraud or something, but after reading all your experiences it sounds like this is totally normal when they're evaluating you for the alternate base period. My denial letter does mention the ABP evaluation too, so I'm going to keep certifying weekly like everyone suggests. It's so frustrating that the system doesn't make this clearer - like why can't they just send a message saying "hey, we're still reviewing your case under different criteria, keep certifying"? Anyway, thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who got approved eventually. Gives me hope that this will work out! I'll definitely keep detailed records of everything and try calling them when I get a chance, though it sounds like getting through is a nightmare.