How much do you have to make to get max unemployment NYS Department of Labor benefits?
I'm trying to figure out what salary level I need to hit to qualify for the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount from NYS Department of Labor. I've been working part-time for the last year but might have a chance at a full-time position soon. If I take it, would my future unemployment benefits be higher? Does anyone know the income threshold for getting the max UI payment in New York? I want to understand how the benefit calculation works before making any job decisions.
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Oliver Schulz
The maximum weekly benefit rate for 2025 is $504 per week. To qualify for this amount, you need to have earned at least $12,600 in your highest earning quarter during your base period. Your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit rate as 1/26th of your earnings in your highest quarter, up to the maximum.
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Amina Diallo
•So if I made $15,000 in my best quarter, I'd still only get the $504 maximum? That seems like I'd be leaving money on the table somehow.
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Natasha Orlova
yeah i think its around 13k in your best quarter but im not totally sure. the nys department of labor website has a calculator somewhere that lets you estimate your benefits
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Javier Cruz
•It's actually $12,600 minimum in your high quarter for max benefits. The calculator is helpful but remember it's just an estimate - your actual benefit amount gets determined when NYS Department of Labor processes your claim and verifies your wage history.
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Emma Wilson
I've been dealing with this exact situation! Getting through to NYS Department of Labor to verify my wage history was impossible until someone recommended Claimyr.com. They have this service that gets you connected directly to an actual agent - there's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I was able to get my benefit calculation explained properly instead of just guessing from the online portal.
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Malik Thomas
•Interesting, never heard of that service before. Did they charge you anything or is it free to use?
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Emma Wilson
•There is a cost but it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could explain my specific situation instead of being stuck in phone tree hell for hours.
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NeonNebula
Keep in mind that just earning enough for max benefits doesn't guarantee you'll get them if you quit voluntarily or get fired for misconduct. NYS Department of Labor will disqualify you regardless of your earnings history. Make sure any job change you make doesn't jeopardize your eligibility.
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Amina Diallo
•Good point! I'm planning to stay at my current job until I'm laid off or the contract ends naturally. Just want to maximize my future benefits if possible.
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Isabella Costa
The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. You pay into unemployment insurance your whole career and then they cap how much you can get back. Meanwhile the cost of living keeps going up but the max benefit barely increases each year!
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Yuki Ito
•I totally agree! It's frustrating that the maximum benefit hasn't kept pace with inflation. $504 per week sounds decent until you realize that's only about $26K annually if you're unemployed for a full year. In NYC especially, that barely covers rent let alone other expenses. The system definitely needs an overhaul.
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Mateo Sanchez
Just wanted to add some clarity on the timing aspect - if you're considering taking that full-time position, remember that your base period for unemployment benefits is calculated using completed quarters. So if you take the job now, those higher earnings won't factor into your benefit calculation until several months later when those quarters become part of your base period. NYS Department of Labor uses a lag system, so there's always a delay between when you earn the money and when it counts toward your UI benefits. Something to keep in mind for your planning!
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CosmicCrusader
•That's a really important point about the timing lag! So even if I take the full-time position now and earn more, those higher wages won't help my unemployment benefits for several months? That definitely changes my calculation. Do you know exactly how long the delay is? Like if I start earning more in January, when would those earnings actually count toward my base period for UI purposes?
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