How much can you collect from NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits in 2025?
I'm about to file for unemployment after getting laid off from my job at a marketing firm in Manhattan. I was making $68,000 annually before taxes. Does anyone know what the maximum weekly benefit amount is right now through NYS Department of Labor? I've heard conflicting information about whether it's based on your salary or if there's a cap. Also wondering how long benefits last - is it still 26 weeks or did that change? Any help figuring out what I can expect would be really appreciated.
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Emma Wilson
The maximum weekly benefit rate for 2025 is $504 per week through NYS Department of Labor. Your actual amount depends on your earnings history - they look at your highest quarter from your base period. Generally you get about 50% of your average weekly wage up to that max. Duration is 26 weeks for regular UI benefits. You can check your exact amount once you file your claim on my.ny.gov.
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Javier Mendoza
•Thanks! So even though I was making more than $50k, I'd still be capped at $504? That's going to be tight but better than nothing I guess.
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Malik Davis
yeah the cap sucks if you were making good money. i was making 75k and still only get the max $504. better than some states though i think
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Isabella Santos
•The benefit calculation uses your base period wages, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. NYS Department of Labor divides your highest quarter earnings by 26 to get your weekly benefit rate, but it can't exceed the maximum.
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Ravi Gupta
Wait I'm confused about the base period thing. I just got laid off in January 2025 - so would they look at my 2024 earnings or 2023? And what if I got a raise recently that's not reflected in those quarters? This whole system seems so backwards!
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Emma Wilson
•For a January 2025 claim, your base period would typically be April 2024 through September 2024. Recent raises wouldn't count unfortunately. You might qualify for alternate base period if your standard base period wages are too low, which would use more recent quarters.
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GalacticGuru
I struggled for weeks trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about my benefit calculation because the online estimator wasn't working. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at the unemployment office. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.
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Javier Mendoza
•Interesting, I might need something like that if I run into issues. The phone system is already driving me crazy and I haven't even filed yet.
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Freya Pedersen
just file asap and see what you get! took me 3 weeks to get my first payment but it was worth the wait. make sure you do your weekly claims every sunday
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StarStrider
One thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to report any severance pay you received when you file - that can delay when your benefits start. Also, if you're planning to do any freelance or part-time work while collecting, you need to report those earnings each week. They'll reduce your benefit amount dollar-for-dollar after the first $143 you earn in a week. The whole process can be confusing but definitely file sooner rather than later since there's usually a waiting period.
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Chloe Anderson
•Great point about the severance pay! I actually did get a small severance package - about 2 weeks worth. Does anyone know if that completely blocks benefits until it's "used up" or if it just delays the start date? I'm trying to figure out my timeline here since I need to start looking for work but also want to make sure I don't mess up the unemployment process.
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