How much to get for unemployment benefits in New York - confused about payment amounts
I'm trying to figure out how much money I can expect to get from NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits. I worked at a warehouse making $18/hour for about 8 months before getting laid off last week. I see all these different numbers online but nothing explains how they actually calculate what you get each week. Does anyone know the formula or can tell me roughly what to expect? I need to plan my budget while I'm looking for work.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
Your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest earning quarter from the past 18 months. NYS Department of Labor takes 1/26th of that quarter's wages. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $504, and you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify. You'll also get the extra $25 dependency allowance if you have qualifying dependents.
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Oliver Schulz
•Thanks! So if I made about $5,600 in my best quarter, that would be around $215 per week? That seems lower than I hoped but at least I can budget now.
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AstroAdventurer
wait i thought it was way more than that?? my friend said she gets like $400 a week
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Javier Mendoza
•It depends on how much you were earning before. If your friend was making good money in a high-paying job, she'd get closer to the maximum. The system is designed to replace about 50% of your previous wages up to the weekly cap.
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Emma Wilson
The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefit calculator but honestly it's confusing as hell. I had to call them three times to understand my payment amount and even then the reps gave me different answers. The whole system is frustrating when you're already stressed about money.
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Malik Davis
•I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor! Kept getting busy signals and when I did get through, I got disconnected twice. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered about my benefit amount.
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Isabella Santos
Don't forget you'll have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! A lot of people get surprised by that at tax time. You can have them withhold 10% federal taxes when you certify your weekly claims.
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Oliver Schulz
•Oh wow I didn't even think about taxes. So if I get $215 a week and don't withhold taxes, I'll owe money next year?
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Yes, unemployment benefits are considered taxable income. You'll get a 1099-G form from NYS Department of Labor at the end of the year showing how much you received. It's usually better to have them withhold the taxes so you don't get hit with a big bill later.
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Ravi Gupta
lol the amount they give you is a joke anyway. try living on $200 a week in this economy, its impossible
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