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Unemployment

Your Illinois UI Finding and Monetary Determination, Explained

UI Finding (Monetary Determination)Illinois noticeChecked against an official source

Also called: UI Finding, Monetary Determination

Last reviewed 2026-07-18

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What this notice usually means

The Monetary Determination lists the benefits you can get. IDES also calls this the UI Finding. IDES is the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Look near the bottom of the letter. Find your Weekly Benefit Amount there. It sits under the UI Monetary Determination header. A Weekly Benefit Amount of zero means IDES found too few wages for now. IDES sets this using wages from your base period.

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Monetary Determination:  The decision that lists the amount of benefits you are eligible to receive. Also called the UI Finding.

From Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Retrieved 2026-07-18

Towards the bottom of the UI Finding, look under the UI Monetary Determination header and find your Weekly Benefit Amount.

From Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Retrieved 2026-07-18

If this number is “0”, you are currently monetarily ineligible to receive regular UI benefits.

From Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Retrieved 2026-07-18

What to do now

  1. 1

    Find the mailing date on your letter

    Your UI Finding lists a mailing date. Your appeal deadline counts from that date. It is not the day you opened the letter.

  2. 2

    Locate your Weekly Benefit Amount

    Look near the bottom of the letter. Find the UI Monetary Determination header. Your Weekly Benefit Amount sits below it.

  3. 3

    Write a letter or file a form within 30 days

    Write a letter if you disagree with the finding. Or fill out the Request for Reconsideration form. Do this within 30 days of the mailing date.

  4. 4

    Call IDES or get free help

    Call IDES with questions about the numbers used. Or check the contact information on your letter. Free help is also open at Illinois Legal Aid Online.

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Deadline

IDES gives you 30 calendar days to respond. The clock starts on the mailing date on your letter. That date controls, not the day it arrived. Write a letter or file a form within that time.

within 30 days of the mailing date stated on the document outlining why you disagree with the finding or determination.

From Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Retrieved 2026-07-18

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-07-18

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