How much do u get for unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
hey everyone, i just lost my job last week and need to apply for unemployment. does anyone know how much money you actually get from NYS Department of Labor? i was making about $48,000 a year before taxes. trying to figure out if it will cover my rent and bills or if i need to find something part time right away. also how long does it take to get your first payment?
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Atticus Domingo
The NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. For someone making $48k annually, you're probably looking at somewhere between $350-420 per week, depending on your exact wage history. The maximum weekly benefit in NY is currently $504. You can get a better estimate by logging into your my.ny.gov account after you file your claim - they'll show you the exact calculation.
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Elin Robinson
•thanks! do you know how they figure out which quarter counts as the highest? i had a raise in october so my last few months were higher than earlier in the year
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Beth Ford
I've been getting unemployment for 2 months now and it's honestly not enough to cover everything. I was making around the same as you and getting $380 per week. After taxes (yes they tax unemployment) it's more like $340. My rent alone is $1200 so I had to get a part time gig doing delivery. Just being realistic about what to expect.
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Elin Robinson
•ugh that's what i was afraid of. wait they TAX unemployment benefits?? that seems crazy
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Atticus Domingo
•Yes, unemployment is considered taxable income by both federal and state. You can choose to have taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims, or pay quarterly/annually. Most people choose to have it withheld to avoid a big tax bill later.
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Morita Montoya
just a heads up that it can take a while to actually get your money even after your claim is approved. mine took almost 6 weeks because it went into adjudication for some random reason. if you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim status, i used this service called claimyr.com that actually got me through to an agent. they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. saved me hours of trying to call myself
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Kingston Bellamy
•6 weeks?? that's insane. what was the adjudication for if you don't mind me asking?
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Morita Montoya
•honestly never got a clear answer. something about verifying my last employer but they had all the info already. the whole system is just slow and backed up
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Joy Olmedo
The payment timing really depends on when you file and if there are any issues with your claim. If everything goes smoothly, you should see your first payment about 2-3 weeks after filing. But like others mentioned, any adjudication issues can delay things significantly. Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending - you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't certify.
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Elin Robinson
•ok good to know about filing weekly even if its pending. is there anything i should do now to avoid adjudication issues?
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Joy Olmedo
•Make sure all your employer information is 100% accurate when you file, including exact dates and reason for separation. Double check your SSN and contact info. Most adjudication issues come from mismatched employer records or unclear separation reasons.
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Isaiah Cross
ive been on unemployment twice and both times it was a nightmare dealing with NYS Department of Labor. the website crashes constantly, phone lines are always busy, and they change the rules without telling anyone. just prepare yourself for frustration. at least the money comes eventually i guess
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Kiara Greene
•the website has definitely gotten better since the pandemic but yeah it still has issues during peak times. best to file your weekly claims early in the week
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