I had the same confusion when I first filed! MWA is definitely not something most regular unemployment claimants need to worry about. I've been collecting UI benefits for a few months now and that field has stayed blank the entire time without any issues. The key thing is just making sure you're doing your required work search activities and certifying your weekly claims on time. Don't stress about the empty MWA field - it won't hold up your benefits.

I went through the same confusion when I first started my claim! MWA definitely threw me off too. Like others have said, it's only relevant if you're in specific work training programs through social services. I've had my unemployment claim active for about 8 weeks now with that field completely blank and haven't had any problems with my weekly payments. The NYS DOL system can be really confusing with all these different fields and acronyms, but don't let an empty MWA field stress you out. Just focus on your regular job search activities and weekly certifications - that's what actually matters for your UI benefits.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone even when they're open, I had success using a service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold forever. There's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Just wanted to add that if you need to speak to someone urgently about your claim, you can also try calling first thing in the morning when they reopen tomorrow (Tuesday). The lines are usually less busy right at 8 AM when they open. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number and PIN ready before calling to speed up the process. Good luck with your certification!

same here! been doing mostly online apps but wasn't sure if they were good enough

Online applications are definitely valid! I've been filing claims for 6 months now and the NYS Department of Labor accepts any legitimate job search activity. Besides online apps through Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc., you can also count things like: updating your resume on job sites, attending virtual job fairs, reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, or even informational interviews with people in your field. The key is documenting everything - I keep a spreadsheet with company name, position, date, and method of contact. As long as you're actively searching and can show 3 genuine attempts per week, you should be fine.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also consider applying for other assistance programs while waiting for your unemployment benefits to start. Things like SNAP (food stamps) and emergency rental assistance can help bridge the gap if your first payment is delayed. The NYC Human Resources Administration has emergency cash assistance too if you're in the city. I know it's not ideal, but it's better to have backup options than to stress about making rent. Also, if you're worried about the timeline, you could try reaching out to your landlord early to explain the situation - many are understanding about unemployment delays, especially if you've been a good tenant. Good luck with everything!

Just want to add my experience from last year - I was making around $52k when I got laid off and ended up getting $498 weekly in benefits. The calculation they use is pretty straightforward once you understand it, but like everyone said, the website makes it way more confusing than it needs to be. One thing that really helped me was setting up direct deposit right away during the application process. My first payment took about 2.5 weeks to arrive, but after that they came like clockwork every Tuesday. If you choose to get a debit card instead, I heard it can add a few extra days to each payment. Also, start looking for work immediately even while your claim is processing - not just because of the work search requirements, but because the job market moves fast and you don't want to get rusty. I ended up finding a new position after 8 weeks and actually felt more prepared for interviews because I had been actively networking the whole time. The unemployment benefits gave me the financial cushion to be selective and find something better than my previous job.

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.