I useto work for DOL (not in NY but similar system). The reason they have brackets instead of exact hours is to make it easier to match employer reporting with employee claims. Most employers report in whole hours only. The safest approach is ALWAYS round up. You might get a few dollars less that week but you won't trigger a fraud investigation.

Just went through this same situation last month! You definitely want to round UP to the 11-16 hours bracket. I made the mistake of rounding down initially and it caused a 4-week delay in my benefits while they "investigated" the discrepancy. The rep I finally spoke to explained that any time worked beyond the exact hour should be reported in the higher bracket. It's better to potentially get slightly reduced benefits for one week than deal with the headache of having your entire claim frozen. The NY system is designed to catch these small inconsistencies, so always err on the side of caution and round up!

Same boat here! I'm also trying to figure out how much I'd get if I lose my job. Did you end up using that calculator someone mentioned?

Just want to add that the $504 maximum weekly benefit amount mentioned earlier is correct for 2025, but keep in mind that's the gross amount before any taxes are taken out. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld (10%) and state taxes (2.5%) from your benefits, or you can receive the full amount and handle taxes when you file your return. Also, if you're making $850/week now, make sure you have enough work history - you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify for benefits at all.

I'm in a similar situation working at a resort in the Catskills. One thing I learned is that you can actually call the NYS Department of Labor's Seasonal Worker hotline (518-457-2827) - it's separate from the main UI line and has shorter wait times. They specifically handle questions about seasonal employment and reasonable assurance. Also, for the job search requirement, I've found that applying to year-round positions at ski resorts (like maintenance or administrative roles) counts toward your search activities and shows you're genuinely looking for work during the off-season.

As someone who's worked seasonal jobs for several years, I can share what I've learned about the NYS system. The written reasonable assurance is absolutely crucial - if your employer hasn't given you anything in writing about being rehired, you should be eligible for benefits. Regarding job searches, I know it feels pointless during summer for ski work, but I've found success applying to outdoor recreation companies, summer camps, and even retail positions that show I'm genuinely available for work. The key is documenting everything properly - keep screenshots of your applications and make notes about each job you apply for. Also, don't forget that you need to certify weekly that you're able and available to work, which means you can't just disappear for a month-long vacation. The system may seem frustrating, but it does work if you follow the rules correctly.

Don't forget about the additional assessments! There's also a 0.075% assessment for the disability benefits fund that gets added on top of your UI rate. So if you're at 4.1% for UI, you're actually paying 4.175% total on that wage base.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! As someone who's been through this process, I'd recommend also checking if you qualify for any of the new employer incentives NYS offers. Sometimes they have programs that can reduce your initial rate or provide credits. Also, make sure you register with NYS Department of Labor as soon as you hire your first employee - there are penalties for late registration. The online system for quarterly reporting isn't too bad once you get used to it, but definitely keep detailed records of all wages and hours from day one.

Hope you figure it out! These benefit programs are so hard to navigate when you're dealing with multiple agencies.

I went through something similar a few years ago. The tricky part is that SSDI allows for a Trial Work Period where you can earn up to a certain amount ($1,050/month in 2024) for up to 9 months while keeping your benefits. But unemployment benefits require you to certify that you're actively looking for work and available for immediate employment, which could potentially conflict with your disability determination. The timing matters a lot too - if you lose a job during your trial work period, you might have a case for unemployment, but you'd need to be very careful about how you present your availability for work. Definitely get clarification from both your disability attorney and maybe a consultation with someone who knows NYS unemployment law before proceeding.