What is unemployment check amount in NY - confused about NYS Department of Labor benefits
I just lost my job at a restaurant in Brooklyn and everyone keeps telling me to file for unemployment but I honestly don't understand what an unemployment check even is. Like how much money do you actually get? Is it the same amount every week? Do they just send you a check in the mail or what? I've never been unemployed before and the NYS Department of Labor website is really confusing. Can someone explain this in simple terms?
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Lydia Bailey
An unemployment check is weekly financial assistance from NYS Department of Labor while you're looking for work. The amount depends on your previous wages - it's roughly half of what you earned per week, up to a maximum of $504 per week in 2025. You don't get an actual paper check anymore, they use direct deposit or a debit card. You have to file weekly claims and prove you're actively searching for jobs to keep receiving benefits.
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Marcus Patterson
•So if I was making $600 a week at the restaurant, I'd get around $300? That's actually not terrible for temporary help.
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Mateo Warren
You'll get a KeyBank debit card in the mail once your claim is approved. The money gets loaded onto that card every week if you file your weekly claim on time. Make sure you set up direct deposit though because the card has fees if you use it wrong. Also keep track of all your job applications because NYS Department of Labor requires proof you're looking for work.
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Marcus Patterson
•Wait there are fees on the card? What kind of fees? Should I just do direct deposit instead?
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Mateo Warren
•Yeah definitely do direct deposit. The KeyBank card charges fees for ATM withdrawals at non-KeyBank machines and other stuff. Direct deposit is free and faster.
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Sofia Price
honestly the whole system is a mess and they make it confusing on purpose. took me forever to figure out how to even file my first claim and then they made me wait 3 weeks for approval
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Marcus Patterson
•Three weeks?? I can't wait that long to get money, I have rent due next week.
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Rachel Tao
•@Marcus Patterson The 3 weeks Sofia mentioned is pretty typical unfortunately. But here s'the thing - if you get approved, they ll'backpay you from when you first filed. So even if it takes 3 weeks, you ll'get all that money at once. Still sucks for immediate bills though. You might want to call 211 for emergency assistance programs while you wait.
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Alice Coleman
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get answers about your benefit amount or claim status, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.
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Owen Jenkins
•Never heard of that service but might be worth trying since calling NYS Department of Labor directly is basically impossible these days.
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Lilah Brooks
Just to add - you can only collect unemployment for 26 weeks maximum in NY, so it's not permanent income. Use the time wisely to find something better than your restaurant job if possible. The job search requirement is 3 contacts per week minimum.
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Marcus Patterson
•Good point about using the time to find something better. I was thinking about trying to get into hotel work since the pay might be higher.
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