How do they determine how much you get for unemployment in NYS?
I just filed my first unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor and I'm confused about how they calculate benefit amounts. My friend who got laid off last year gets $504 a week but I'm only getting $356. We both worked full time but at different companies. Is there a formula they use or do they just pick random numbers? I can't find clear info anywhere on their website about how this works.
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Chloe Robinson
NYS Department of Labor uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate benefits. They take 1/26th of your highest quarter earnings as your weekly benefit rate. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. So if you made less in your highest quarter than your friend, you'll get a lower weekly amount.
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CosmicCrusader
•That makes sense! My previous job paid less than hers so that explains the difference. Thanks for the clear explanation.
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Diego Flores
wait what's a base period?? i thought they just looked at your last job salary
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Chloe Robinson
•The base period is the time frame they look at for your wages. It's typically the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed your claim. They don't just use your last job - they look at all covered employment during that period.
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Anastasia Kozlov
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about my benefit calculation. Kept getting busy signals or getting hung up on after being on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.
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Sean Flanagan
•How much does something like that cost? Seems like it should be easier to just call yourself.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•It's worth it when you've been trying for days to get answers about your claim. They focus on getting you connected rather than you spending your whole day redialing.
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Zara Mirza
The maximum weekly benefit rate for 2025 is $504 so your friend is getting the max. There's also a minimum of around $104. Most people fall somewhere in between based on their earnings history.
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CosmicCrusader
•Good to know there's a cap. I was wondering why some people seem to get way more than others.
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NebulaNinja
ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make it simple and pay everyone the same amount based on cost of living or something
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Chloe Robinson
You can also check your monetary determination letter that NYS Department of Labor sends after you file. It breaks down exactly which quarters they used and how they calculated your weekly benefit amount. Keep that letter for your records.
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