NYS Department of Labor what has highest unemployment pay - need to maximize benefits
I'm trying to figure out what has the highest unemployment pay in NY state right now. Lost my job last month and need to understand all my options to get the maximum benefits possible. I've heard there are different types of unemployment claims and some pay more than others? My base period earnings were around $67,000 last year working in tech. Should I be filing for regular UI or is there something else that pays more? Also wondering if there are any supplements or additional programs that could boost my weekly benefit amount. Really need to maximize what I can get since I have a mortgage and two kids.
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Logan Chiang
The maximum weekly benefit rate for regular unemployment insurance in NY is currently $504 per week. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. With $67k in earnings, you should qualify for a decent amount but it depends on how that income was distributed across quarters.
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Abigail Spencer
•Thanks! So there's no other type of unemployment that pays more than the $504 max? I thought I heard about some special programs.
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Isla Fischer
wait isnt there also like partial unemployment or something?? i think that might pay different amounts
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Miles Hammonds
Regular UI through NYS Department of Labor is your main option. There's partial unemployment if you're working reduced hours, but that actually pays LESS than full unemployment since it's based on the difference between your reduced wages and your benefit rate. The $504 maximum is the highest you can get for standard unemployment benefits. There used to be federal supplements during COVID but those ended years ago.
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Ruby Blake
•This is so confusing. Why is the system so complicated? I just want to know the best way to get the most money while I'm looking for work.
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Micah Franklin
I had a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor to check what my actual benefit amount would be. Spent weeks calling and either getting busy signals or being disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. The agent was able to calculate my exact benefit amount based on my earnings history and explain why I qualified for what I did.
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Abigail Spencer
•That sounds too good to be true. How much does this service cost? And is it legit?
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Micah Franklin
•It's totally legitimate - they just help you get through the phone queue faster. Way better than spending days trying to reach someone yourself. The value is definitely worth it when you need answers about your claim.
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Ella Harper
honestly the whole unemployment system is a joke. $504 max when rent alone costs more than that in most places. and they wonder why people struggle
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PrinceJoe
Yeah I remember when I filed, I thought there would be different tiers or something. Turns out it's just the one formula and that's it. Make sure you file for the maximum number of weeks you're eligible for though - I think it's up to 26 weeks for regular UI.
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Logan Chiang
•Correct - maximum of 26 weeks for regular unemployment benefits in NY, assuming you have sufficient wage credits in your base period. The weekly amount stays the same throughout your claim period.
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