What does maximum benefit amount mean for unemployment NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to understand my unemployment benefits calculation and I keep seeing 'maximum benefit amount' on my NYS Department of Labor account. Does this mean that's the most I can get per week, or is it something else? My weekly benefit rate shows $504 but the maximum benefit amount shows like $13,104. I'm confused about what these numbers actually mean for my claim.
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Ravi Patel
The maximum benefit amount is the total you can receive during your entire benefit year, not per week. So if your weekly benefit rate is $504, and you qualify for 26 weeks of benefits, your maximum would be around $13,104 ($504 x 26 weeks). Your weekly rate is what you get each week you file and are eligible.
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Emma Johnson
•Oh that makes so much more sense! So I won't get $13k all at once, it's spread out over the 26 weeks if I need it. Thank you for clarifying that.
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Astrid Bergström
yeah basically its like a bank account with $13k in it and every week you file you take out $504 until its empty or you find work
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PixelPrincess
•That's actually a really good way to think about it! The NYS Department of Labor sets aside that maximum amount when they approve your claim, and each weekly certification draws from that total.
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Omar Farouk
I was SO confused about this too when I first filed! I thought they were going to give me over $13,000 right away and I was planning what to do with all that money. Then I realized it's just the weekly amount times however many weeks you're eligible for. Kind of disappointing but also makes way more sense from the state's perspective.
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Chloe Martin
•LOL same here! I was like 'wow unemployment pays really well' until I figured out it was the total for the whole year. Reality check for sure.
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Diego Fernández
If you're having trouble navigating the NYS Department of Labor system or need to speak with someone about your benefit calculations, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than trying to call the regular number and getting hung up on.
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Emma Johnson
•Thanks for the suggestion! I might look into that if I have more questions about my claim.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
The maximum benefit amount also depends on your earnings history. NYS Department of Labor calculates it based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. So someone who made more money will have a higher weekly rate and therefore a higher maximum benefit amount total.
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