NY unemployment sent me a new benefit rate letter after applying for MEUC - didn't reapply for UI, what's happening?

The same thing happend to me! I got a new monetary determination after applying for something else entirely. When I tried to certify the next week, it actually let me and I got paid. The system is so glitchy that sometimes it just renews your claim automatically. I'd say try certifying this Sunday and see what happens.

After struggling to get answers for WEEKS, I finally found a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at unemployment. I explained my weird situation with a similar letter and they fixed it right there on the call. Talking to an agent got my payments flowing again within days! Best decision I made in this whole mess: claimyr.com - check out how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

this is probably an extension that kicked in automatically. when did your original benefits end exactly? theres sometimes a week or two gap between regular UI ending and extensions starting. the system is completlely borked and nobody knows whats going on half the time LOL

The MEUC is just additional money on top of UI benefits. You can't get MEUC by itself - you need to be on some type of unemployment program first. So either you were automatically put on an extension (if eligible) or there's an error in the system. My bet is on extension.

CALL THEM!!!! Seriously, you need to speak to a human being who can look at your specific claim. Nobody here knows exactly whats happening with your account. The NY unemployment system is soooo messed up right now that you cant rely on letters or the website to tell you whats actually going on.

Here's what's likely happening (I used to work in UI admin before COVID): When you applied for MEUC, the system probably flagged your account for review since MEUC requires you to be on an active UI claim. During that review, the system may have determined you're eligible for an extension and automatically processed it. The letter you received is most likely a monetary determination for a PEUC extension - not for MEUC itself. MEUC would be a separate additional payment on top of your weekly benefit amount. For these situations, I recommend three things: 1) Try certifying this Sunday to see if your claim is active 2) Check your online account for any messages about an extension 3) Try to speak with an agent to confirm what's happening For #3, the regular phone lines are nearly impossible, but I've had clients use claimyr.com with good results - they wait on hold for you and connect you when an agent answers. Don't assume anything with unemployment these days - getting official confirmation is the safest approach.

just sayin the NY unemployment system is TRASH. they send random letters that contradict each other and expect us to figure it out. meanwhile ppl cant pay rent. the whole thing needs to be THROWN AWAY and rebuilt from scratch!!! 🤬

Quick update on my similar situation - I was in almost the exact same boat last month. Got a determination letter after my benefits ended even though I didn't reapply. I tried certifying and it let me, but then the payment was held "pending review." I finally got through to someone (used claimyr.com after wasting days trying to call myself), and they told me it was an extension that triggered automatically but got flagged because something didn't match up in my work search records. The agent fixed it on the spot. Worth talking to someone directly.

Did the letter mention anything about a "base period" or "alternative base period"? Trying to figure out if this is a new initial claim or an extension.

dont do ANYTHING until u talk to someone! my friend got a similar letter, started certifying, got paid for 8 weeks then got hit with a 11k overpayment notice because it was an error. NY unemployment is a mess rn 😫

I specifically remember reading that MEUC applications sometimes trigger automatic review of your whole claim status. My guess is during that review they realized you qualified for an extension and processed it automatically. Pretty lucky if that's what happened!

This happened to my roommate and it turned out she was eligible for Extended Benefits she didn't know about. The MEUC application triggered a review of her account and they automatically enrolled her. She's been getting payments for 6 weeks now.

The ny unemployment website has a new chatbot that actually helped me with a similar question. Have you tried using that? It's not perfect but sometimes it can give you basic answers without having to call.

If your letter shows a new BENEFIT YEAR END date, then you've been approved for a new claim period. Check that date carefully - it should be about a year from now if it's a new claim, or the same as your previous benefit year end date if it's just an extension.

WHATEVER YOU DO, SCREENSHOT EVERYTHING AND KEEP ALL LETTERS!!! I've been screwed over by ny unemployment system too many times because I couldn't prove what they sent me. Cover yourself.