For someone at your income level ($65k), the 10% federal withholding should be pretty close to what you'll owe. At $504 weekly that's about $50.40 withheld per week. Since unemployment benefits are taxed as ordinary income, you'd likely be in the 22% marginal bracket, but remember that's only on the unemployment income portion. The 10% withholding plus any taxes from other income/jobs should keep you from owing too much. You can always adjust it later if you find a job quickly or if your situation changes. I'd definitely recommend starting with the 10% - it's much better than getting hit with a big tax bill next April!

Just wanted to add that you can also check your withholding amount on each payment stub when you get your unemployment benefits deposited. The NYS Department of Labor will show exactly how much was withheld for federal taxes, so you can keep track throughout the year and see if you need to make any adjustments. I started with 10% withholding and it worked out perfectly for my situation - ended up getting a small refund instead of owing anything. Also worth noting that if you do find work before the year is up, you might want to adjust your W-4 at your new job to account for any under-withholding from the unemployment period.

been there done that with the at will thing, most ppl dont realize it has nothing to do with UI benefits just means no job security basically

Just wanted to add that you should also gather any documentation from your employer about the layoff - like an email or letter stating it was due to budget cuts. This can help if your former employer tries to contest your claim later. Also, make sure you meet the work history requirements (you need to have worked in at least 2 calendar quarters and earned a minimum amount). With 2.5 years of work history you should be fine, but it's good to double check. Good luck with your claim!

CALL THEM!!!! Don't rely on online advice (including mine lol). Every situation is different, and backdating is decided case by case. But you HAVE to talk to someone. The website won't let you backdate on your own.

Hey Shelby, I was in almost the exact same situation a few months back. Lost my job in August and didn't file until October because I was convinced I'd land something quickly. Turns out that was a costly mistake! When I finally got through to someone (took forever on hold), they were able to backdate my claim by 4 weeks, which seems to be pretty standard. The agent told me that while "I thought I'd find work quickly" isn't considered "good cause," they still have some discretion for shorter backdates. My advice: call them ASAP and be honest about your situation. Don't embellish or make up reasons - just explain that you're new to unemployment and didn't realize you should file immediately. Sometimes being straightforward works better than trying to find loopholes. Also, make sure you're filing your weekly certifications correctly going forward. The last thing you want is to deal with overpayment issues on top of everything else. Good luck - I know how stressful this whole process is!

definitely apply for SNAP! i was getting unemployment and food stamps at the same time and it made such a difference. the application process isn't too bad and they can tell you right away if you qualify

I went through the exact same situation last year when I lost my job. Yes, unemployment benefits do count as income for SNAP, but don't worry - you'll likely still qualify for benefits! I was getting about the same amount as you in weekly UI payments and I still received around $150/month in SNAP benefits. The key thing is to apply as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks to process. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready - they'll want to see your unemployment award letter and any other income sources. The caseworkers are usually pretty understanding about people who are between jobs and need temporary help.

I'm so fed up with this whole process. Been laid off for 2 months, bills piling up, and I can't even get a straight answer about my claim. Anyone else feeling like they're drowning?

Congrats on finally getting through! That's such a relief after all that stress. I'm currently in week 3 of trying to reach them about my claim - seeing your post gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. Did they give you any timeline for when your benefits might start coming through? I'm trying to manage my expectations here but also need to know when I might see some financial relief. Thanks for sharing your experience!