What is the minimum amount of unemployment you can get from NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth filing for unemployment benefits. I was only working part-time at a retail job for about 8 months making around $15/hour, maybe 20-25 hours a week. Does anyone know what the minimum weekly benefit amount is from NYS Department of Labor? I've heard there's some kind of floor but can't find clear info on their website. Just want to know if I'd qualify for anything substantial or if it would be like $50 a week or something.
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Ava Williams
The minimum weekly benefit rate in New York is $104 per week as of 2025. To qualify, you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed). Your benefit amount is calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage during your highest earning quarter, but it can't go below that $104 minimum if you qualify.
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Dmitry Petrov
•Thank you! That's actually more than I expected. Do you know how they calculate the base period exactly? I'm not sure which quarters would count for me.
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Miguel Castro
wait so even if you made like barely anything they still give you $104? that seems like a lot for someone who wasnt working much
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Zainab Ibrahim
•You still have to meet the earnings requirements to qualify at all. The $104 is just the minimum IF you qualify. Many part-time workers don't meet the base period earnings threshold to get any benefits.
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Connor O'Neill
I was in a similar situation last year working part-time retail. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to check my claim status. I kept calling the main number but it would just hang up on me after being on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.
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Dmitry Petrov
•How much did that cost? I'm already strapped for cash so not sure if I can afford extra services right now.
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Connor O'Neill
•It was worth it for me because I was stuck in adjudication for weeks. Way cheaper than missing out on benefits while waiting to talk to someone.
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LunarEclipse
Just apply and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny you. I thought I wouldn't qualify either but ended up getting approved for $148/week. The application process on my.ny.gov is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have all your employer info ready including dates of employment and reason for separation.
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Yara Khalil
•this!! i was so worried about not qualifying but turns out i did. better to try than assume you wont get anything
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Sean Flanagan
Based on your work history, you might actually qualify! With 8 months at $15/hour for 20-25 hours weekly, that's roughly $300-375 per week in gross wages. Over 8 months, you likely earned well over the $2,600 base period requirement. Your weekly benefit would be 50% of your average weekly wage during your highest quarter, so potentially around $150-180 per week rather than the $104 minimum. Definitely worth applying - you can do it online at my.ny.gov and it only takes about 30 minutes to complete the initial application.
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Adaline Wong
•That's really helpful math! I hadn't thought to calculate it that way. So even though I was only part-time, the total earnings over those 8 months might actually put me in a decent range for benefits. I'm definitely going to apply now - seems like there's a good chance I'll get more than just the minimum. Thanks for breaking down the numbers!
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Liam Murphy
Also keep in mind that you need to be unemployed through no fault of your own to qualify. If you were laid off or your hours were cut, that should work in your favor. But if you quit voluntarily, you might face additional hurdles. When you apply, they'll ask for your reason for separation from employment, so make sure you're honest about the circumstances. The good news is that even if your initial claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision if you think it was wrong.
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