NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefit amount - how much can I expect to receive?
I'm planning to file for unemployment next week after my position gets eliminated and trying to figure out my budget. Does anyone know how NYS Department of Labor calculates the weekly benefit amount? I've been making about $58k annually for the past two years. I've looked at the my.ny.gov website but the benefit calculator seems to be down. Really need to know unemployment benefit how much I might qualify for so I can start planning my expenses.
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Max Knight
NYS Department of Labor uses your highest quarter earnings from the base period to calculate your weekly benefit rate. Generally it's about 50% of your average weekly wage, but there's a maximum of $504 per week for 2025. With your salary, you'd probably get close to that maximum amount.
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Madeline Blaze
•That's higher than I expected! So if I made $58k, that would be around $1,115 per week gross, so 50% would be $557 but capped at $504?
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Emma Swift
yeah the max is $504 but you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirement. they look at your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file
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Isabella Tucker
I was in a similar situation last year and got $438 per week. The NYS Department of Labor calculation is more complex than just 50% though - they divide your highest quarter earnings by 26 to get your weekly benefit rate. You also need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period and worked in at least 2 quarters.
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Madeline Blaze
•Thanks for the real numbers! That helps me understand better. Did you have any issues with the claim process?
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Isabella Tucker
•The filing went smooth but I had trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my job search requirements. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
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Jayden Hill
Don't forget you still have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits! A lot of people forget that and get surprised come tax time. You can have them withhold 10% federal taxes when you certify your weekly claims.
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LordCommander
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A NIGHTMARE! They make it impossible to figure out how much you'll get until AFTER you file and then half the time the adjudication takes forever. I waited 6 weeks just to find out my benefit amount because they had to verify my previous employer info.
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Lucy Lam
•That sounds really frustrating! I hope my case goes smoother than that.
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