How much will I receive in NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits - need calculation help
I just filed my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor last week and I'm trying to figure out how much I'll actually receive each week. I made about $58,000 last year at my office job but I'm not sure how they calculate the weekly benefit amount. Is it based on my highest quarter or my total annual income? Also do they take taxes out automatically or do I need to request that? I'm really stressed about making my rent payment next month so any info would be helpful.
10 comments
Join the conversation
Gemma Andrews
NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit rate using your highest quarter of earnings from your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). They take 1/26th of your highest quarter earnings, with a maximum of $504 per week in 2025. You can choose to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims.
0 coins
Lena Schultz
•Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $16,000 would that mean I'd get about $615 per week? That seems high compared to the $504 max you mentioned.
0 coins
Pedro Sawyer
The $504 is the maximum weekly benefit amount in NY. So even if your calculation comes out higher, you'll be capped at $504. Your benefit year starts when you file your claim and lasts 52 weeks.
0 coins
Lena Schultz
•Got it, so I'd get the full $504 then. Do you know if that covers rent assistance programs too or is that separate?
0 coins
Mae Bennett
You should be able to see your exact weekly benefit rate in your my.ny.gov account once your claim is processed. It usually takes about a week for the determination. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the monetary determination!
0 coins
Beatrice Marshall
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about my benefit amount calculation. Kept getting busy signals and hung up on for days. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Got through in like 20 minutes and the agent explained my whole benefit calculation.
0 coins
Melina Haruko
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you anything for connecting to NYS Department of Labor?
0 coins
Dallas Villalobos
wait so they take taxes out automatically?? I thought I had to pay those back at the end of the year. this is so confusing
0 coins
Gemma Andrews
•No, tax withholding is optional. When you file your weekly claim, there's a question asking if you want 10% federal taxes withheld. You can choose yes or no each week.
0 coins
Reina Salazar
The whole system is ridiculous. They make you wait weeks just to find out how much you'll get and then half the time the calculations are wrong anyway. I've been fighting with NYS Department of Labor for months over my benefit amount.
0 coins