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.

One more thing to keep in mind - when you file your claim, make sure you report your last day of work accurately and any final pay you received (like vacation payout or severance). The NYS Department of Labor will use this to determine your claim start date. Also, if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, you need to report those earnings on your weekly certification - they'll reduce your benefit amount but you can still collect partial benefits as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit rate. The system is designed to encourage people to take part-time work while job searching.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this process recently in NYC. I was also confused about the requirements at first, but here's what I learned: The key is having enough "covered employment" - which means jobs where your employer paid into the unemployment system. Your restaurant job definitely counts since they would have been deducting unemployment taxes from your paychecks. The part-time hours don't matter as much as meeting those dollar thresholds that Jade mentioned. I'd recommend calling the Teleclaim Center at 1-888-581-5812 early in the morning (like 8am) to avoid the rush - I found that's when I could actually get through to speak with someone. They can look up your wage history and tell you right away if you qualify before you even file. Also, start gathering your documents now - you'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and any pay stubs or tax forms from the restaurant job. The sooner you apply after your last day of work, the better, since benefits can be backdated but there are time limits.

Just wanted to add something important that I learned the hard way - make sure you understand the timing requirements for these benefits! For Paid Family Leave, you have to give your employer at least 30 days advance notice if the need for leave is foreseeable (like childbirth). For short-term disability, there's usually a waiting period before benefits kick in, and you need to file the claim within a certain timeframe after becoming disabled. Also, if you're planning to take the full 12 weeks available under PFL, you can take it intermittently or all at once within the first year after your baby's birth. I'd really recommend getting in touch with your employer's benefits administrator now to understand exactly what paperwork you'll need and when to submit it. The last thing you want is to be dealing with benefit denials while you're caring for a newborn!

I just went through this process 6 months ago and wanted to share my experience! You're right to be confused about the unemployment eligibility - I thought I could collect UI benefits too, but learned that taking time off to recover from childbirth and bond with your baby actually disqualifies you because of the "able and available" requirement. However, New York has really good family leave benefits that might work better for your situation. I ended up using short-term disability for my 6-week recovery period (paid at about 50% of my salary), then transitioned to Paid Family Leave for an additional 8 weeks of bonding time (paid at 67% of my average weekly wage). The total 14 weeks gave me much more time with my baby than I initially thought I'd be able to afford. One tip - start gathering your paperwork now! You'll need forms from your doctor, and some need to be completed before your due date. Your employer's HR department should have all the forms and can walk you through the process. Also keep in mind that these benefits are funded through small payroll deductions you've probably been paying all along, so you've already "paid into" this system. Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the application process!