NYS Department of Labor unemployment - what pays the most for benefits?
Been thinking about this and wondering what factors actually determine how much you get from unemployment benefits in NY. I know it's based on your previous wages but I'm curious what the maximum weekly benefit amount is right now and what kind of salary you'd need to qualify for it. Also do certain types of jobs or industries get higher payouts? My friend said something about standby benefits being different but I'm not sure if that's true. Anyone know the current rates for 2025?
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Liam O'Sullivan
The maximum weekly benefit rate in NY for 2025 is $504 per week. To qualify for the max, you need to have earned at least $13,104 in your highest quarter during your base period. Your benefit amount is calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage up to that maximum. Regular UI and standby benefits use the same calculation - standby just means you're temporarily laid off with an expected return date.
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Mei Liu
•Thanks! So if I made $60k last year would I get close to the maximum or does it depend on how my earnings were distributed throughout the quarters?
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Amara Chukwu
i think it also depends on how long you worked too? like if you only worked part of the year your benefits might be lower even with good wages
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Liam O'Sullivan
•That's partially correct - you need sufficient work history in your base period to qualify, but the weekly benefit amount is calculated from your highest quarter earnings, not total annual earnings.
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Giovanni Conti
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months trying to get my claim resolved and honestly the amount doesn't matter if you can't even get through to someone to fix issues! My claim has been stuck in adjudication forever and I can't reach anyone by phone. The system is so broken.
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone, I had success using a service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They helped me get through to an actual agent when my claim was stuck. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you're really stuck.
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NeonNova
Wait so the $504 is the absolute maximum? That seems pretty low compared to what some other states pay. Is there any way to get more than that through other programs?
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Yes, $504 is the maximum for regular unemployment insurance in NY. There aren't additional programs that pay more - that's the cap set by state law. Some states do have higher maximums but NY's rate is actually competitive when you factor in cost of living adjustments.
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Dylan Campbell
I'm so confused about all this! I just got laid off and I have no idea what I'll qualify for. Do they look at my gross pay or net pay? And what if I had a raise during the year - does that help or hurt my benefits calculation? This whole process is overwhelming and I'm worried I won't get enough to cover my bills.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•They use your gross wages, not net pay. A raise during your base period could help if it increases your highest quarter earnings. Don't worry - the NYS Department of Labor will calculate everything automatically when you file your claim. Focus on getting your application submitted with accurate employment history.
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Sofia Hernandez
honestly just file your claim and see what happens, the system calculates it all for you anyway
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