honestly the amount varies SO much depending on what you were making before. my friend who worked retail got like $200 a week but my other friend who worked at a bank got almost $500. it's all about your previous earnings

I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my accounting job making $48k. From what I've researched, NY unemployment benefits are calculated at roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from your highest earning quarter during the "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). With your $52k salary, you should qualify for around $400-450 per week, which is actually more manageable than I initially thought. The maximum weekly benefit in NY for 2025 is $504. One tip I learned - file your claim immediately even if you're not sure about all the details, because any delays can cost you money and there's a one-week waiting period before payments start.

being in school full time can also disqualify you unless you meet certain exceptions. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you're available for full time work

Another important disqualifier to be aware of is if you're receiving certain types of pension or retirement income - NYS Department of Labor will reduce or deny benefits depending on how much you're getting and whether your employer contributed to it. Also, if you're not a US citizen or don't have work authorization, that can disqualify you even if you were working legally before. The key thing is to be completely honest on your application because any false information is considered fraud and will definitely disqualify you.

honestly the whole system is designed to trip you up and deny claims. they'll find any excuse to say no. even if you qualify they'll put you through adjudication hell for months. just be prepared for a fight

File your claim as soon as possible even if you're not sure about eligibility. It's better to apply and get denied than to wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to. The worst they can say is no, but if you don't apply you definitely won't get anything.

That's fantastic news! So glad you got it resolved. This thread is going to be super helpful for others dealing with the same issue. The "waiting week suspension flag" explanation really cleared things up for everyone. Thanks for updating us - it's always great to hear when these problems actually get fixed!

Amazing outcome! This whole thread is like a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment issues. The fact that @Morgan Washington provided such detailed insider knowledge about the "waiting week suspension flag" was incredibly valuable. And @Anna Stewart's Claimyr recommendation seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to agents. It's frustrating that this kind of technical glitch is so common, but at least now we know exactly what to ask for when calling. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - this should be required reading for anyone dealing with NY unemployment claims!

Just want to add that you should still try to make all your regular payments on time even while on unemployment. The benefit amount is usually less than your full salary, so budget carefully to avoid late payments that WOULD hurt your credit.

Great question and I'm glad you asked before filing! Everyone else is absolutely right - unemployment benefits won't show up on your credit report or affect your score. I went through the same worry when I was laid off from my tech job last year. Filed my claim right away and my credit score actually went UP a few points during those months (probably just normal fluctuation). The key is keeping up with your existing payments as others mentioned. NYS unemployment maxes out at $504/week so definitely budget accordingly if you're used to a higher income.