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Just be careful because if you mess this up you could lose your SSI permanently. The system is designed to trip people up and once they find an excuse to cut you off they will. I've seen people lose everything trying to work while on disability.
I was in a similar situation last year when I got let go from a temp job. I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone to ask about my eligibility - their lines are always busy. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. It was way easier than trying to call myself for hours. The agent was able to look at my work history and explain exactly what I qualified for.
Just file anyway if you lose your job. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. I didn't think I qualified when I got laid off because I'd switched jobs a lot, but it turned out my wages from different employers all counted together. The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefits calculator you can try first too.
I had such a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor to ask similar questions about my claim. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor within like 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Totally worth it when you need actual answers instead of guessing about stuff like unemployment rates affecting benefits.
The unemployment rate when any president leaves office doesn't matter for your personal UI benefits lol. But yeah it was around 3.8% nationally when Biden left in January. In NY specifically it was probably similar. Your $420/week sounds about right depending on what you were making before. Just keep doing your weekly certifications and job searches.
Don't forget you need to register for work search activities right away too. The job search requirements kick in immediately so have your resume ready and start thinking about where you'll be applying. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about the work search log.
Angelica Smith
Don't let the system intimidate you! I was terrified when I first filed but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. The unemployment claim process has these main steps: 1) File your initial claim with work history and reason for separation 2) Wait for determination letter 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Complete job search activities 5) Get paid if everything's approved. The NYS Department of Labor has improved their online system a lot since COVID so it's much more user-friendly now.
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Logan Greenburg
•lol 'user friendly' - clearly you haven't tried calling them lately. the phone system is a nightmare and half the time the website crashes when you're trying to file your weekly claim
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Charlotte Jones
To add to what others said - your unemployment claim also determines your weekly benefit amount based on your past earnings. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your wages from the last 18 months and calculates roughly half your average weekly wage, up to the maximum benefit amount. Right now in 2025 the max is around $530 per week. You can collect for up to 26 weeks typically, though this can vary based on economic conditions.
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Zachary Hughes
•Wait, they look at 18 months of wages? What if I only worked at this job for 6 months?
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Charlotte Jones
•They'll look at all your jobs during that base period. If you don't have enough work history, you might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. There are specific earnings requirements you need to meet.
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