The maximum keeps going up each year which is good I guess. When I was on unemployment in 2022 it was way lower. Still not enough to cover most people's bills though, especially with rent prices now.

Just want to add that you should also check if your employer offers any severance package - sometimes that can affect when you're eligible to start collecting unemployment benefits. Also, make sure you have all your wage information ready when you file. NYS Department of Labor will need details about your earnings for the past 18 months, so gather up your pay stubs or W-2s beforehand. The whole process goes much smoother when you have everything organized.

just to add - the $504 is if you qualify for regular UI benefits. if you're on partial unemployment or have other complications it might be different. but yeah $504 is the standard maximum weekly benefit rate for full unemployment in NY

Just wanted to confirm what others have said - the $504 maximum is correct for 2025. I went through this process last year and can tell you that your actual weekly benefit amount is calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage in your highest earning quarter, but it's capped at that $504 limit. So if you made $70k annually, you'll likely hit the maximum. The key thing to remember is that you need to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period to qualify. Also, don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to consider having taxes withheld from your weekly payments to avoid a big bill at tax time.

One final important tip: If you win your hearing, there can still be a delay before payments resume. Contact your state representative if it takes more than 2 weeks after a favorable decision to see any action on your claim. They can often expedite things through their NYSDOL contacts. Your local assembly person or state senator's office can be surprisingly helpful with unemployment issues.

I went through this exact situation last year and want to emphasize something that saved me - DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Take screenshots of every page you visit on the NY.gov site, save confirmation numbers if you get any, and keep records of every phone call attempt (date, time, how long you waited). I ended up needing this documentation later when there was confusion about when I submitted my hearing request. Also, if you do get through to someone on the phone, ask them to email you a confirmation of whatever they helped you with. The system has so many glitches that having paper trails can be the difference between winning and losing your case. Stay strong - the process is deliberately frustrating but it IS possible to get through it!

One thing to watch out for - make sure your employer doesn't contest your unemployment claim. Some companies will argue that you quit by not returning to work even if you physically can't do the job anymore.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - my workers comp ended 3 weeks ago and I'm still dealing with shoulder restrictions from a workplace injury. From what I've learned, the most important thing is to be completely honest about your limitations when you file. NYS Department of Labor actually has a section in their application where you can specify your work restrictions. I'd recommend getting a written statement from your doctor that clearly outlines what type of work you CAN do, not just what you can't do. This helps show you're genuinely available for suitable employment. Also, start keeping a detailed log of your job search activities focused on positions that match your restrictions - customer service, administrative work, etc. The 3 weekly job contacts requirement still applies even with limitations.

same boat as you! got laid off from my retail job in Brooklyn last month and was worried about the part time thing but my claim got approved. just make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week and you want to get the process started

Just wanted to add that you can also check your earnings history online through the my.ny.gov portal to see if you meet the wage requirements before applying. It shows your quarterly wages from employers who reported them properly. This can help you calculate if you hit that $2,600 minimum in your highest quarter and the 1.5x total requirement. Also, even though your freelance work doesn't count for regular UI, if you paid into the system as self-employed you might be eligible for PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) programs if they're still available, but regular UI is probably your best bet.