NYS Department of Labor benefit chart showing wrong amounts - according to the chart my weekly rate should be higher
I'm looking at my NYS Department of Labor benefit determination letter and something doesn't add up according to the chart they sent me. My base period earnings were $52,800 but they're only giving me $315 per week. According to the chart, with my income level I should be getting closer to $380 weekly. Has anyone else had issues with the benefit calculation being wrong? I tried calling but can't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to explain the discrepancy.
8 comments
Join the conversation
Luca Ricci
The benefit chart shows the maximum possible amounts, but your actual weekly benefit rate depends on your highest quarter earnings during the base period, not your total base period earnings. They take your highest quarter, divide by 26, and that's your weekly rate (up to the maximum). Check your monetary determination letter for the quarterly breakdown.
0 coins
Nia Williams
•That makes sense! I was looking at my total earnings instead of quarterly. My highest quarter was only $16,400 so that would put me right around $315. Thanks for clearing that up.
0 coins
Aisha Mohammed
same thing happened to me last year!! i thought they made a mistake too but turns out the chart is just showing maximums
0 coins
Ethan Campbell
If you're still having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to verify your calculation, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped when I needed to discuss my benefit determination with someone.
0 coins
Yuki Watanabe
•How much does that cost though? I'm already dealing with reduced income from being unemployed.
0 coins
Ethan Campbell
•It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly the peace of mind of actually talking to someone at NYS Department of Labor was worth it for me when I had questions about my claim.
0 coins
Carmen Sanchez
The whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing! Why can't they just make the charts clearer instead of having people think they're getting more money than they actually qualify for?? It's stressful enough being unemployed without having to decode their paperwork.
0 coins
Andre Dupont
•Totally agree, the whole process is unnecessarily complicated
0 coins