How much do you get with unemployment benefits in New York - NYS Department of Labor weekly amounts?
I'm trying to figure out what my weekly unemployment benefit amount would be if I file with NYS Department of Labor. I've been working part-time making about $420 a week for the past year and a half. Does anyone know how they calculate the weekly benefit amount? I heard it's based on your earnings but I can't find clear info on the NYS Department of Labor website about the exact formula they use.
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Dylan Mitchell
NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit rate using your highest earning quarter from your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). They take that quarter's total earnings and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit rate. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $504, and you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•So if my highest quarter was around $5,460 that would be about $210 per week? That seems pretty low compared to what I was making.
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Sofia Martinez
yeah the formula is confusing but basically its like half of what you were making on average, theres also a minimum amount too i think its around $104 per week but dont quote me on that
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Dmitry Volkov
•The minimum weekly benefit rate for 2025 is actually $104, and there's also partial unemployment benefits if you're working reduced hours. You can earn up to $504 per week and still collect some benefits, but they reduce your UI payment dollar for dollar after the first $50 you earn.
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Ava Thompson
I was in a similar situation last year and kept getting stuck trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to verify my benefit amount calculation. The automated system on their website wasn't working right and I couldn't get through on the phone for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Was way easier than spending hours on hold.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•How long did it take them to connect you? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for three days straight.
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Ava Thompson
•It was pretty quick, like within a few hours. Way better than the endless busy signals I was getting before.
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CyberSiren
Just remember you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week and you have to keep a log of everything. The benefit amount doesn't matter if you don't stay compliant with all their rules.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
•Good point! I forgot about the job search requirements. Do they check that stuff when you file your weekly claims?
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Miguel Alvarez
The whole NYS Department of Labor system is designed to pay out as little as possible while making you jump through endless hoops. Don't expect to get anywhere near what you actually need to survive. And God forbid you make a mistake on your weekly claim - they'll hit you with an overpayment notice faster than you can blink.
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Zainab Yusuf
•That's a bit harsh but I get the frustration. The system definitely has its issues but the benefits do help people get by between jobs.
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Olivia Garcia
I went through this exact calculation process when I filed last year. Based on your $420/week earnings, you'd likely qualify for around $210-240 per week depending on your highest earning quarter. One thing to keep in mind is that NYS Department of Labor also looks at your total base period earnings to determine how many weeks of benefits you can receive (usually up to 26 weeks). The online benefit calculator on their website can give you a rough estimate, but like others mentioned, getting through to an actual representative can be challenging. Make sure you have all your wage statements ready when you apply - they'll need documentation of your earnings for the entire base period.
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Ava Rodriguez
•Thanks for the detailed breakdown! That $210-240 range sounds about right based on what others have said. Do you remember if the online benefit calculator was accurate compared to what you actually received? I'm worried about planning my budget if the estimates are way off from reality.
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Zainab Ibrahim
I'm also dealing with NYS Department of Labor right now and the whole process is pretty overwhelming as a first-time filer. From what I've learned reading through everyone's responses, it sounds like the weekly benefit is roughly half of what you were earning, but capped at that $504 maximum. The part about needing $2,600 minimum in your base period is really important - I almost didn't qualify because of that requirement. Has anyone here had experience with the appeals process if your initial calculation seems wrong? I'm worried they might make an error with my wages since I had a few different part-time jobs during my base period.
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Diego Mendoza
•I haven't personally gone through the appeals process, but I know someone who did when NYS Department of Labor initially miscalculated their benefits because they had multiple employers. From what they told me, you can request a hearing if you disagree with their determination, and it's actually pretty common when you have multiple part-time jobs during your base period. The key is to keep all your pay stubs and tax documents organized - they'll need to see proof of wages from each employer. The appeals process can take a few weeks, but it's worth it if there's a significant difference in your calculated benefits. You should also be able to see a detailed breakdown of how they calculated your benefits in your determination letter, so you can check if they missed any wages or quarters.
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