How much do you get weekly for unemployment NYS Department of Labor benefits?
I'm about to file my first unemployment claim and trying to figure out my budget. Does anyone know how much you actually get weekly for unemployment benefits in NY? I was making $850 a week at my last job but I heard they don't give you the full amount. What's the calculation they use? Also do they take taxes out automatically or do I need to handle that myself?
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Mikayla Davison
The NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter from the past year. Maximum weekly benefit is currently $504 but most people get less than that. It's roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to the cap. You can choose to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims.
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Max Reyes
•So if I was making $850 weekly I'd get around $425? That's actually not as bad as I thought it would be.
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Adrian Connor
mine was like $380 something when i was getting it last year, made about $750 a week before getting laid off. the amount shows up in your my.ny.gov account once they approve your claim
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Aisha Jackson
Just remember you have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. NYS Department of Labor requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to log them in the system. The weekly amount is nice but don't get comfortable - they really check up on the job search stuff now.
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Max Reyes
•What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs or do networking events count too?
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Aisha Jackson
•Job applications, attending job fairs, networking events, even LinkedIn outreach can count. Just make sure you document everything properly in their system.
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Ryder Everingham
The whole system is such a pain though. I've been waiting 3 weeks just to get my claim processed and meanwhile bills are piling up. The NYS Department of Labor phone lines are impossible to get through to when you need help.
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Lilly Curtis
•I had the same problem with getting through to them. Someone on here recommended trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. I used it last month and finally got my adjudication issue resolved. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Leo Simmons
Don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income! I learned that the hard way come tax season. Even if you have taxes withheld you might still owe more depending on your total income for the year.
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Lindsey Fry
yeah the tax thing got me too. wish they explained that better when you first sign up
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