same boat here! was making about 55k and getting like 400 something a week. its tough but better than nothing i guess. make sure you file right away though because theres a waiting period

Just want to add some clarity on the base period calculation since there seems to be some confusion. Your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in Q1 2025, your base period would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. The weekly benefit amount is calculated by taking your highest quarter earnings in that base period, dividing by 26, then that amount is roughly your weekly benefit (capped at $504). Also, there IS a one-week waiting period in NY, so your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment. Make sure you continue certifying even during that waiting week or you could lose benefits later.

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job you generally won't qualify unless it was for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions or harassment. Since you were laid off that shouldn't be an issue, but just mentioning it because some people don't realize quitting usually disqualifies you from benefits.

Good point about the layoff vs quitting distinction! @Kingston Bellamy since you mentioned you were laid off due to slow business, that definitely counts as being unemployed through no fault of your own, which is one of the key requirements. Just make sure when you file your claim that you accurately describe the reason for separation - "lack of work" or "reduction in force" are the typical codes they use for layoffs. Also, regarding your concern about caring for your mom - as long as you can demonstrate that you're available to work during normal business hours and can arrange care when needed, that shouldn't disqualify you. The key is showing you're genuinely seeking and available for employment.

If your brother is having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask about his specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth trying if he wants to verify his eligibility directly with NYS Department of Labor instead of guessing.

The system is honestly ridiculous that a kid who loses their job can't get help just because they haven't worked long enough yet. Like what are they supposed to do in the meantime?

One more thing - make sure she keeps detailed records of her job search activities right from the start. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log. Even if her claim is still processing, she needs to be actively looking for work and documenting it. They can ask to see this information at any time.

Just want to add that she should also gather her bank account information for direct deposit setup during the application process. NYS Department of Labor strongly recommends direct deposit over waiting for debit cards to arrive by mail. Also, if she was laid off due to lack of work (not fired for misconduct), make sure she selects the correct reason on the application - this affects how quickly her claim gets processed. The system will ask for specific details about her separation, so having her termination letter or any documentation from HR can be helpful if there are follow-up questions.

JUST TO ADD - make sure you apply right away if you do lose your job, even if you're not 100% sure you qualify. The NYS Department of Labor will determine your eligibility and you don't want to miss out on any potential benefits while you're figuring it out. The worst they can say is no, but at least you'll know for sure.

Just want to add my experience here - I was in almost the exact same situation as you Sean! Got let go after about 8 weeks at a new job and was panicking about whether I'd qualify for unemployment. Turns out my previous job from about 14 months earlier still counted toward my base period earnings. The NYS Department of Labor rep I finally got through to explained that as long as you meet those earnings thresholds during the base period quarters, the length of time at your most recent job doesn't matter. The tricky part was actually getting someone on the phone to walk through my specific situation - took me weeks of busy signals and dropped calls. But once I got clarity on my eligibility, the actual application process was pretty straightforward. Don't stress too much about the 6 weeks - focus on whether your total earnings during the base period meet the requirements.