How much unemployment will I get if I make $600 a week - NYS Department of Labor calculation?

NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit rate using your highest quarter earnings from the base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). At $600/week you're making about $31,200 annually. Your weekly benefit would likely be around $260-280 depending on your exact quarterly earnings pattern. The maximum weekly benefit in 2025 is $504 but that requires much higher wages.

i was making around $580 a week and got $252 weekly from unemployment last year so yeah sounds about right for your wage level

The formula is your high quarter earnings divided by 26, but there's also a minimum threshold you need to meet. Since you've been working 8 months consistently at that wage level, you should definitely qualify. You can actually get a benefit estimate by logging into your my.ny.gov account and using the benefit calculator tool before you even file your claim.

Just keep in mind you'll need to do the weekly certifications and job search requirements once you start collecting. NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week now. But if you're getting laid off through no fault of your own, the process should be pretty straightforward. I had issues reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status, but I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to get through on the phone.

omg the NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare... took me 6 weeks just to get my first payment last time because they kept asking for more verification documents. hopefully your situation is more straightforward than mine was!!

I went through this exact situation last year when I was making around $650/week. The benefit calculation can be tricky because it depends on which quarters they use for your base period. Since you've only been working 8 months, make sure all your wages are properly reported in their system before you file. I ended up getting about $285/week, which was close to what others estimated here. One thing to watch out for - if your store closure is considered a "mass layoff" you might be eligible for additional resources through the WARN Act. Also, start documenting your job search activities now even before you file, because the 3 weekly work search requirements start immediately once you begin collecting benefits.

I'm in a similar boat - been working retail for about 6 months at $580/week and worried about potential layoffs. Reading through these responses is really helpful! One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if part-time hours before getting laid off affects your benefit calculation? Like if they cut me to 20 hours/week for a few weeks before the layoff, will that hurt my weekly benefit amount? Also @Malik Davis - for the WARN Act, I think it's 50+ employees for mass layoffs but I'm not 100% sure. The job search documentation tip is clutch, definitely starting that now just in case.

I just went through this process a few months ago after getting laid off from my warehouse job where I was making $620/week. The benefit calculation ended up being pretty close to what everyone's saying here - I got $271/week. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my pay stubs before filing, because NYS Department of Labor asked for verification of my wages during the application process. Also, if you do get laid off, file your claim immediately even if your last day hasn't happened yet - there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you file the better. The online application took me about 45 minutes to complete, and I had my determination letter within about 10 days. Good luck with everything!

Just wanted to add my experience since I was in almost the exact same situation - making $595/week at a clothing store that closed down last fall. My weekly unemployment benefit came out to $268, which lined up pretty well with what others are saying here about roughly 45% of your weekly wages. The application process was smoother than I expected, but definitely keep digital copies of everything - pay stubs, your layoff notice, any severance paperwork. NYS Department of Labor's website can be slow during peak times (like Monday mornings when everyone's doing their weekly certifications), so try to file during off-peak hours if possible. Also, if your employer contests your claim for any reason, don't panic - just respond with documentation showing you were laid off through no fault of your own. With your rent being $1200/month, that unemployment benefit plus maybe some side gig income should help you get by while job hunting.

Hey Zara! I went through something similar when I was making about $590/week at my previous job. Just wanted to share a few practical tips that helped me: First, gather all your pay stubs from the past year before you even think you might need to file - NYS likes documentation and it speeds up the process. Second, if you do get laid off, consider setting up direct deposit right away since paper checks can take longer. Also, don't forget that you can work part-time while collecting benefits as long as you report it properly - this might help bridge the gap between your $268-ish weekly benefit and your $1200 rent. The earnings you can make without affecting benefits changes, so definitely ask about that when you file. One last thing - start networking now if possible, because the 3 weekly job search activities go by faster when you have a plan. Best of luck with everything!

I'm in a really similar situation - working retail and making about $580/week with potential layoffs coming up. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on what everyone's sharing, it sounds like I should expect around $250-270 per week in benefits. I'm definitely going to start gathering my pay stubs and documentation now like @Mae Bennett suggested. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone dealt with seasonal employment affecting their base period calculation? I worked part-time retail last holiday season before getting my current full-time position, so I'm not sure how that factors into the quarterly earnings they look at. Also really appreciate the tip about Claimyr - the thought of trying to reach NYS Department of Labor by phone sounds like a nightmare!