Got monetary determination letter but confusing wording about ny unemployment eligibility?

That's actually normal! I got the same letter in August. It's just confirming your wage/employment history and calculating your benefit amount. There's still a separate decision coming about whether you qualify for benefits (like if you quit vs laid off, etc). Mine took about 3 weeks after that letter to get the final decision and start payments.

I was stuck at this exact step for weeks! Ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at unemployment. Talking to an agent got my benefits released within days after sitting in limbo for over a month. Seriously was the only way I could talk to someone instead of endless automated messages. They have a good walkthrough video too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Yes! This is just step 1 - they're saying "based on your work history, this is what you WOULD get IF you're approved" but they still need to verify reason for separation, etc. Keep doing your weekly certifications even while waiting.

That monetary determination letter is just telling you what your benefit AMOUNT would be based on your past wages. They still have to determine if you're eligible based on the reason you're unemployed. Were you laid off? Fired? Quit? That's what they're deciding next.

This system is such a mess. I got that letter and then nothing for 6 weeks 😡 had to call daily. ny unemployment needs to get their act together...

Here's my experience after getting that letter: First, yes, this is normal - virtually everyone gets it. It's basically telling you what your weekly benefit rate would be IF you qualify, based on your employment history. What happens next depends on your situation. If your case is straightforward (clear layoff with employer confirmation), you might be approved quickly - within 1-2 weeks. If there are any complications (you quit, were fired, have multiple employers, worked in different states, etc.), it could take much longer. While waiting, you MUST continue to certify weekly even though you're not getting paid yet. When you're finally approved, you'll get backpay for all properly certified weeks. If it takes longer than 3 weeks after this letter, you should start calling. The phone system is absolute hell, so I recommend using claimyr.com - it's the only service that actually got me through to a real person after weeks of trying. One conversation with a live agent resolved my issues and my payments started flowing including all my backpay. Also check your online account regularly - sometimes notices appear there that don't get mailed. Don't lose hope - the process is frustrating but persistence eventually pays off!

everybody gets this letter, don't stress. it's just telling u how much you'll get IF ur approved. Keep an eye on your online account for updates and make sure u do the weekly certifications

The entire NY unemployment system runs on confusion and anxiety 🤦‍♀️ That letter is normal but expect to wait another 2-8 weeks for an actual decision lol

Yep, got the same notice in September. It took another 3 weeks before I got the final approval. They're backlogged AF right now.

Got the same letter last month, ended up getting approved but took forever. Pro tip: if u need $ fast and cant wait for them to decide, look into emergency assistance thru HRA or local charities. Some can help w rent while ur waiting

Totally normal but KEEP CERTIFYING weekly! I've seen so many people mess this up and then they have to go through a whole backdate request process 🤦‍♂️

that letter is the equivalent of them saying "IF we approve you, this is what you'll get" but they still need to decide if ur eligible based on why u lost ur job

whatever you do, DON'T STOP CERTIFYING while you wait for approval! biggest mistake people make

I just went thru this whole process. That letter is normal, but what they don't tell you is that somebody still has to manually review your case. Some lucky ppl get approved automatically but most of us end up in this weird limbo where we're technically "pending" for weeks or months. I couldn't get anyone on the phone until I used claimyr.com - totally worth it to finally get a human who could actually fix my issues.