NY unemployment payment only half the normal amount - why did I get 2 days instead of 4?

This is likely due to a partial unemployment determination review. When the system recalculates your maximum benefit amount (which explains why it went up), it sometimes processes payments differently during that week. The fact that your maximum amount increased is actually good news - it means they probably found additional wages in your base period that weren't initially counted. I recommend waiting until next week's payment before calling. If your next payment is still only for 2 days, then definitely contact them. But most likely next week will return to normal with the higher maximum benefit amount.

same thing happned to me last month!! they only paid me for 3 days instead of my normal 4 days but then the nxt week it was back to normal. never found out why tho.

THEY ARE DOING THIS TO EVERYONE!! I've been getting partial payments for THREE WEEKS now! Every time I call the automated system it just says my claim is "under review" but no explanation why. This department is a DISASTER in 2025, even worse than before. They can change your benefits whenever they want with ZERO notice.

If your maximum benefit amount went up, that usually means they found additional wages in your base period or corrected an error in your benefit calculation. But I'm confused why they'd only pay you for 2 days in the same week. Did you report any work/earnings for that week? Sometimes even a small amount of reported income can reduce your weekly benefit.

Whenever you see weird payment issues like this, it's critical to get through to an actual NYSDOL agent. The online system only tells you so much, and these partial payment situations often need human intervention. I struggled with a similar issue for weeks trying to use the automated phone system. I finally got through to a real agent by using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you bypass the phone queues and actually connect with NYSDOL. I was skeptical at first but they got me connected in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent explained that my partial payment was due to a wage recalculation that temporarily affected my weekly benefit, very similar to what you're describing. They fixed it on the spot.

so your maximum amount went up but u got less money? that makes no sense at all lol. the system is broken, typical nysdol nonsense. they prob just hope people dont notice when they underpay.

This sounds like what happens during a monetary redetermination. Essentially, they found additional wages in your base period that weren't included in your original determination. The system first increases your maximum benefit amount, but during that processing week, payment days can be split. If this is what's happening, you should receive a monetary redetermination notice in your online account or by mail in the next few days explaining the increase. The notice will show your old and new weekly benefit amounts, along with the updated maximum benefit amount. For your next certification, you should receive the full weekly amount. If not, you'll definitely need to speak with a representative to have them review your claim.

did u work any days that week? even 1 day of work can mess up ur payment

Wait til you get an overpayment notice next! That's what happened to me after my benefit amount changed. First they underpaid me, then they said I owed them $2,450 for no reason!!! The whole system is designed to confuse people so they just give up.

Based on your update that you received a monetary redetermination notice, that definitely explains what's happening. During redetermination weeks, the system sometimes processes partial payments, but your next payment should be the full new weekly benefit amount. The good news is that your weekly benefit amount has increased by $65, which is substantial! This is actually a positive change to your claim. If for some reason your next payment isn't the full amount, then it would be time to contact NYSDOL for clarification.