How is federal unemployment calculated for NYS Department of Labor claims?
I'm trying to understand how my weekly benefit amount was determined by the NYS Department of Labor. I know it's based on my earnings from last year, but I can't figure out the exact calculation they used. My base period wages were around $45,000 but my weekly benefit is only $320. Is there a specific formula the NYS Department of Labor uses? I've looked at their website but the explanation is confusing. Also wondering if federal rules affect how New York calculates benefits or if each state does it differently?
11 comments
Join the conversation
Yuki Kobayashi
NYS Department of Labor uses your highest quarter of earnings in your base period, then divides that by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit in NY is currently $504. So if your highest quarter was around $8,320, that would give you roughly $320 per week. The federal government sets some guidelines but each state has its own calculation method.
0 coins
AstroAce
•That makes more sense! I think my highest quarter was around that amount. Thanks for breaking it down clearly.
0 coins
Carmen Vega
wait so its not based on your total earnings for the year? i thought they took all 4 quarters and averaged them out
0 coins
Yuki Kobayashi
•No, NYS Department of Labor specifically uses your highest earning quarter, not an average. This actually helps most people get a higher benefit amount than if they averaged all quarters.
0 coins
Andre Rousseau
The federal rules mainly set the framework for who qualifies and basic standards, but the actual benefit calculation is up to each state. New York's method is pretty generous compared to some other states. You also need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify for any benefits at all.
0 coins
Zoe Stavros
•I had such a hard time reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor to get this explained properly. Kept getting busy signals for weeks! Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person who walked me through the calculation. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
0 coins
AstroAce
•That sounds helpful - I've been trying to call them too but can never get through. Did they charge you for that service?
0 coins
Zoe Stavros
•They focus more on the value of actually reaching someone rather than the cost. For me it was worth it just to get a real explanation instead of being stuck in phone hell.
0 coins
Jamal Harris
just be glad you got benefits at all... ive been waiting 6 weeks for my adjudication to clear and still nothing
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•Ugh that's terrible! Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? Sometimes they can help push things along when adjudication drags on that long.
0 coins
Mei Wong
The whole calculation system is so unnecessarily complicated. Why can't they just make it a simple percentage of your previous year's income like some other benefits do? The NYS Department of Labor website explains it like you need a PhD in mathematics to understand it.
0 coins