NYS Department of Labor maximum unemployment benefit 2023 - need clarification on weekly amounts
I'm trying to figure out what the maximum unemployment benefit was for 2023 in New York. I filed my claim in November 2023 and my weekly benefit amount seems lower than what I was expecting based on my previous salary. I was making around $85,000 annually before I got laid off. My weekly benefit is showing as $504 but I thought the max was higher? Can someone explain how NYS Department of Labor calculates the maximum weekly benefit amount? I want to make sure I'm getting the right amount before I continue filing my weekly claims.
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Avery Davis
The maximum weekly benefit rate for 2023 in New York was $504, so you're actually getting the max amount. NYS Department of Labor sets this annually and it's based on the state average weekly wage. Your benefit is calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage from your base period, but it can't exceed the maximum. Since you were making $85k, your weekly wage was around $1,635, so 50% would be about $817, but you're capped at the $504 maximum.
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Ev Luca
•Oh wow, I didn't realize I was already at the maximum! That actually makes me feel better about the amount. Thanks for explaining how the calculation works.
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Collins Angel
wait i thought the max was higher than that?? i was getting like $450 last year and thought there was more money available
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Avery Davis
•The maximum changes each year based on the state's average weekly wage calculations. In 2022 it was $504 as well, but your individual amount depends on your earnings history during your base period. If you were getting $450, that means your calculation came out to that amount based on your wages.
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Marcelle Drum
I had the same confusion when I filed my claim earlier this year. The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefit calculator that can help estimate your weekly amount, but honestly it's not super clear about the maximum limits. The $504 maximum for 2023 is correct though. Just make sure you're filing your weekly claims on time and meeting the job search requirements - that's 3 work search activities per week.
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Ev Luca
•Good point about the job search requirements. I've been keeping track in the work search log but wasn't sure if 3 activities was still the current requirement.
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Tate Jensen
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to verify your benefit amount or have other questions about your claim, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck on hold for hours trying to reach someone about my adjudication issue, but this got me through in about 20 minutes.
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Adaline Wong
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you anything for the service?
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Tate Jensen
•Yeah there's a fee but honestly it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of sitting on hold all day. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is so overloaded.
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Gabriel Ruiz
The whole system is such a mess. They make it impossible to get straight answers about anything. I've been dealing with an overpayment notice for months and can't get anyone to explain why they think I owe money back. At least you're getting the max amount - that's something!
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Isabella Martin
•@Gabriel Ruiz That overpayment situation sounds really frustrating! Have you tried requesting a written explanation of the overpayment determination? Sometimes seeing it in writing makes it clearer what period they re'claiming you weren t'eligible for benefits. You might also want to check if you can request a hearing if you disagree with their decision. The appeals process can be confusing but it s'worth pursuing if you think they made an error.
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