What are the unemployment benefits available through NYS Department of Labor right now?
I just lost my job last week and I'm completely confused about what unemployment benefits I can actually get in New York. I keep seeing different information online and I don't know what's current. Can someone break down what the actual benefits are that NYS Department of Labor offers? Like how much money, how long it lasts, what I need to qualify? I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the forms and requirements.
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StarStrider
The main program is regular unemployment insurance (UI) through NYS Department of Labor. You can get up to 26 weeks of benefits, and the weekly amount depends on your earnings history - it's roughly half your average weekly wage up to a maximum of $504 per week in 2025. You need to have worked enough quarters and earned sufficient wages to qualify. You'll also need to file weekly claims and meet job search requirements.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you! So $504 is the max anyone can get per week? And I have to look for jobs every week?
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Dylan Campbell
Don't forget about the work search requirement - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log. NYS Department of Labor can ask to see your records at any time. Also, if you're in certain industries or have union agreements, you might qualify for standby status which has different rules.
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Sofia Torres
•What exactly counts as a 'job contact'? I've been applying online but not sure if that's enough.
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Dylan Campbell
•Online applications count, but you should also include networking, attending job fairs, contacting employers directly. Just keep detailed records of what you did, when, and who you contacted.
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Dmitry Sokolov
ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i tried calling NYS Department of Labor like 50 times and either got busy signal or got hung up on after waiting forever. how is anyone supposed to get help when you cant even talk to a real person???
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Ava Martinez
•I had the same problem for weeks trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor about my adjudication issue. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration - was able to get my claim status sorted out same day.
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Miguel Ramos
Just a heads up - if you quit your job or got fired for misconduct, you won't qualify for regular UI benefits. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about the reason for separation. You need to have lost your job through no fault of your own.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•I was laid off due to company downsizing, so I think I should be okay on that front.
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Sofia Torres
One thing nobody mentions is that your benefits are taxable income. NYS Department of Labor will send you a 1099-G at tax time. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later, but don't forget about it come April!
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Nia Thompson
•This is such an important point that I wish someone had told me earlier! I made the mistake of not having taxes withheld from my unemployment benefits last year and ended up owing a decent chunk at tax time. You can request federal tax withholding of 10% when you file your weekly claims through the NYS Department of Labor website. Definitely recommend doing this unless you're planning to set aside the money yourself.
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Monique Byrd
@Fatima Al-Qasimi - I went through this same process a few months ago after being laid off. Here's what I wish I knew from the start: Apply online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a waiting week before benefits begin. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. The application asks for detailed info about your previous employers including dates, wages, and reason for separation. Also, set up direct deposit right away - it's much faster than waiting for debit cards or checks. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me to get my first payment after the initial waiting period.
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