The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a joke! They make it so complicated just to get YOUR OWN MONEY that you paid into the system. Half the time their website crashes when you're trying to file your weekly claim and then they act like it's your fault when payments get delayed.

Just to clarify for everyone - unemployment checks are really unemployment payments now since most people use direct deposit. The payment amount is based on your earnings history over the past 18 months, with a maximum weekly benefit of $504 in NY for 2025. You can receive these payments for up to 26 weeks as long as you continue to meet the job search requirements and file your weekly claims on time.

Just went through this whole process myself. Getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about benefit amounts was impossible with their phone system. I kept getting hung up on after waiting forever. Finally used claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent who explained everything clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to navigate the system alone.

also dont forget you can only collect for 26 weeks max in ny unless theres some special program going on. and you have to do the work search stuff every week or they'll cut you off

honestly the whole economic system is rigged anyway, lower rates just help rich people and corporations while we're scraping by on unemployment. my claim got stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks and they act like $400 a week is some kind of luxury

same boat here, been worried about everything affecting my benefits lately

Just remember you have to file your weekly claims every week and do your job search activities or they'll cut off your benefits even if you qualified for the maximum amount initially.

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing!! I wish they would just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you guess. Good luck with your claim, hope you get approved quickly and don't have to deal with adjudication delays like so many people here.

dont forget you have to certify that you're able and available to work each week when you file your weekly claim. they ask questions about whether you worked, turned down any job offers, or had any other income

I remember being so stressed about this whole thing when I first filed. It seems overwhelming but once you get into the routine of filing weekly it becomes pretty straightforward. Just make sure you keep good records of your job search activities in case they audit you later.