What are the minimum and maximum amounts of money an individual can receive for unemployment in NY?
I'm trying to figure out how much I might qualify for if I file for unemployment benefits. My last job paid about $52,000 a year but I've heard there are caps on how much you can get. Does anyone know what the current minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts are through NYS Department of Labor? Also wondering if there's a formula they use to calculate it based on your previous earnings. I want to make sure I understand what to expect before I submit my application.
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Ava Johnson
For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit rate in NY is $504 per week. The minimum is $104 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 quarters before you file. NYS Department of Labor takes 1/26th of your highest quarter earnings to determine your weekly benefit rate, but it can't exceed that $504 maximum.
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ElectricDreamer
AuthorThat's really helpful, thank you! So with my salary I'd probably hit somewhere in the middle range then. Do you know if they count bonuses or just base salary when calculating the highest quarter?
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Miguel Diaz
just went through this myself last month. they look at ALL wages reported to them including bonuses overtime everything. but you have to have worked enough quarters to qualify in the first place. i think you need earnings in at least 2 quarters of your base period and meet minimum earnings requirements
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Ava Johnson
Exactly right. You need earnings in at least 2 quarters of your base period AND your total base period earnings must be at least 1.5 times your high quarter earnings. There's also a minimum threshold - you need at least $2,600 in your highest quarter to qualify for benefits.
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Zainab Ahmed
The whole system is so confusing honestly. I tried calling NYS Department of Labor multiple times to ask about my benefit calculation and could never get through to a real person. Kept getting transferred around and then disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to an agent who explained everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was such a relief to finally talk to someone who could walk through my specific situation.
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Connor Byrne
How much did that cost? I've been trying to reach them for weeks about my adjudication status.
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Zainab Ahmed
It was worth it for me since I was getting nowhere on my own. The peace of mind was huge and they connected me quickly instead of me wasting hours on hold.
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Yara Abboud
Keep in mind these are the GROSS amounts before taxes. NYS Department of Labor will withhold federal taxes if you request it, and you'll still owe state taxes on unemployment benefits. So your actual take-home will be less than whatever weekly benefit rate you qualify for.
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ElectricDreamer
AuthorGood point about taxes! I hadn't thought about that. Is it better to have them withhold or just pay at tax time?
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Mei Zhang
I'd recommend having them withhold federal taxes if you can afford the slightly lower weekly amount. Otherwise you might end up with a big tax bill next April that's hard to pay all at once. You can always adjust the withholding amount if needed.
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PixelPioneer
ugh the whole unemployment system is such a mess. my friend got denied even though she lost her job through no fault of her own and it took months to get it sorted out. meanwhile people who game the system seem to get benefits no problem. makes no sense
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