Does NYS Department of Labor unemployment count as income for Medicaid eligibility?

Yes, unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor do count as income for Medicaid eligibility purposes. However, the income limits for Medicaid are pretty generous - for a single person it's around $1,732 per month in 2025. At $405 weekly that's about $1,755 monthly, so you might be just over the limit but definitely worth applying since there can be some flexibility.

i think it depends on what type of unemployment ur getting? like regular UI vs standby or something

I had this exact situation last year. Yes, your weekly unemployment payments count as taxable income for Medicaid calculations. They use the gross amount before any taxes are withheld. However, if your income fluctuates month to month, they may average it out. Also, if you're doing your job search requirements properly through the NYS Department of Labor system, any documented job training or education programs might help with certain Medicaid work requirements.

Ugh the whole system is so confusing! I've been trying to figure this out too. My unemployment runs out in 6 weeks and I'm terrified about losing health coverage. Why do they make everything so complicated??

I was stuck in this same situation trying to reach someone at the Medicaid office to get a straight answer about my unemployment benefits. Spent days calling and getting busy signals or being on hold forever. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person who could explain how my NYS Department of Labor benefits would affect my application. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

Just apply anyway! Even if you're slightly over the income limit, you might qualify for subsidized plans through the marketplace. And if your unemployment runs out or your income changes, you can update your application.

I'm going through this exact same process right now! One thing I learned is that NYS has a "simplified application" process where if you're already receiving certain benefits (like SNAP or unemployment), they can sometimes fast-track your Medicaid application. Also, even if your unemployment income puts you slightly over the regular Medicaid limit, you might still qualify for Essential Plan which has higher income limits and very low premiums. The NYS of Health website has a calculator that can give you a quick estimate of what you might qualify for based on your unemployment amount. Definitely worth applying - the worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised what options are available!