NYS Department of Labor minimum unemployment benefit amount - what is it exactly?
I'm trying to figure out what the minimum unemployment benefit amount is in New York. I just got laid off from a part-time retail job where I was only making about $280 a week. I'm worried that my benefit amount might be really low since my wages weren't that high. Does NYS Department of Labor have a minimum weekly benefit amount that they guarantee? I can't find this information clearly spelled out anywhere on their website.
13 comments
Join the conversation
Aliyah Debovski
Yes, NYS Department of Labor does have a minimum weekly benefit rate. As of 2025, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $104. This means even if your calculation based on your base period wages would result in less than $104, you'll still receive at least $104 per week if you qualify for benefits.
0 coins
Ally Tailer
•That's actually higher than I expected! So even though I was only making $280 a week, I'll get at least $104? That helps a lot with planning my budget.
0 coins
Miranda Singer
wait i thought it was lower than that? when i filed last year it was like $64 or something
0 coins
Aliyah Debovski
•The minimum has increased over the years. It was lower in previous years but NYS Department of Labor adjusts these amounts periodically. The current minimum for 2025 is $104.
0 coins
Cass Green
Just to add - your actual benefit amount will be calculated based on your highest quarter earnings during your base period, typically about 50% of your average weekly wage. But if that calculation comes out to less than the minimum, you'll get the minimum instead. If you were making $280 weekly consistently, your benefit might actually be around $140 per week, which is above the minimum anyway.
0 coins
Ally Tailer
•Oh wow, so I might get more than the minimum? That would be even better. I guess I won't know for sure until I actually file my claim.
0 coins
Finley Garrett
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact question last month. The phone lines are always busy and when I finally got through they just told me to check online. Super frustrating when you need a real person to explain these things.
0 coins
Madison Tipne
•I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent when I was having similar issues. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was way easier than trying to call myself and getting hung up on constantly.
0 coins
Finley Garrett
•Thanks! I'll definitely look into that. Getting actual answers from a real person would be so much better than guessing.
0 coins
Holly Lascelles
This whole system is so confusing. Like why don't they just put this basic information somewhere easy to find? I spent forever trying to figure out the same thing when I got furloughed.
0 coins
Lucy Lam
•I totally agree! I think they assume everyone already knows this stuff but when you're newly unemployed and stressed, even basic information like minimum benefit amounts should be clearly listed on the main page. Having to dig through multiple pages or call just to find out if there's a minimum weekly amount is ridiculous.
0 coins
Diego Mendoza
•Exactly! When you're already dealing with the stress of losing your job, the last thing you want is to hunt through confusing government websites for basic info. They should have a simple FAQ section right on the homepage that covers things like minimum benefits, how long it takes to get approved, and what documents you need. Would save everyone so much time and anxiety.
0 coins
Rajiv Kumar
Just wanted to confirm what others have said - the $104 minimum is correct for 2025. I actually had a similar situation where I was working part-time making around $250 a week, and when I calculated my benefits it came out to about $125 weekly, which was above the minimum. The good news is that even in worst-case scenarios, you're guaranteed that $104 floor. Also, don't forget that you might be eligible for additional federal programs or extensions depending on your situation. The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefit calculator tool buried somewhere in their site that can give you a rough estimate before you file your claim.
0 coins