What is the highest amount of unemployment you can receive in NYS?
I'm trying to figure out what the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount is in New York. I've been working as a software engineer making around $120k annually and just got laid off yesterday. When I tried looking on the NYS Department of Labor website, I found some confusing calculations about base periods and quarterly wages. Does anyone know what the actual maximum weekly benefit is for 2025? I want to know what to expect when I file my claim.
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Aiden O'Connor
The maximum weekly benefit rate in NY for 2025 is $504 per week. This is based on your highest quarter earnings during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed). To get the max, you'd need to have earned at least $12,600 in your highest quarter. Since you were making $120k, you should definitely qualify for the maximum amount.
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Sofía Rodríguez
•Thanks! That's really helpful. So if I earned around $30k per quarter, I should get the full $504? How long does it usually take for NYS Department of Labor to process the initial claim?
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Zoe Papadopoulos
Yeah $504 is the max but remember you still have to do the weekly certifications and meet all the job search requirements. The NYS Department of Labor makes you log at least 3 job contacts per week and they can audit your search activities. Don't forget about the waiting week either - your first week is unpaid.
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Jamal Brown
•Wait there's still a waiting week? I thought they got rid of that during COVID
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Nope, the waiting week came back. It's definitely still a thing as of 2025.
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Fatima Al-Rashid
good luck getting through to them on the phone!! ive been trying to get my claim processed for 2 weeks and cant reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor. the system is totally broken
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Aiden O'Connor
•If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone, you might want to try Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to unemployment agents. I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication and it actually worked. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
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Fatima Al-Rashid
•never heard of that but at this point ill try anything. thanks for the tip
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Giovanni Rossi
Just wanted to add that even if you qualify for the maximum, your actual benefit duration depends on your total base period wages. In NY you can get up to 26 weeks of benefits, but some people with lower earnings might get fewer weeks. With your salary level you should get the full 26 weeks though.
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Sofía Rodríguez
•Perfect, that's exactly what I needed to know. Sounds like I should be in good shape then. Time to start that job search!
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Ava Williams
One thing to keep in mind is that the $504 maximum is before taxes. NYS will withhold federal income tax (10%) if you elect it, and you'll owe taxes on unemployment benefits when you file your return. Also, make sure to file your claim as soon as possible - benefits are only backdated to the week you actually file, not when you lost your job. The online system at labor.ny.gov is usually the fastest way to get started with your initial application.
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Giovanni Colombo
•This is really good advice about filing ASAP! I made that mistake when I was laid off a few years ago - I waited almost two weeks thinking I might get called back, and those were two weeks of benefits I lost forever. The tax withholding tip is smart too. Even though 10% might not cover everything you'll owe, it's better than getting hit with a big tax bill next year. @7b3f8a53bc05 do you know if there are any other deductions that come out of the $504, or is it just the optional federal tax withholding?
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