What the most you can get from NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits in 2025?
I just got laid off from my job in Manhattan where I was making decent money as a project manager. Before I file my claim with NYS Department of Labor, I want to know what's the maximum weekly benefit amount I can expect? I've heard different numbers from coworkers and want to make sure I understand what I might qualify for. Also does anyone know if there's a cap on total benefits you can receive? I'm trying to figure out my budget while I look for another position.
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Ravi Gupta
The maximum weekly benefit rate for NYS Department of Labor unemployment in 2025 is $504 per week. This is based on your highest earning quarter during your base period. You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in most cases, so the total maximum would be around $13,104. Keep in mind you need to meet the minimum earnings requirements and be actively searching for work.
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Isabella Santos
•Thanks! Do you know what the minimum earnings requirement is? I want to make sure I qualify before filing.
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GalacticGuru
yep $504 is the max but most people dont get that much, it depends on what you made in your base period quarters
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Freya Pedersen
The benefit calculation is 50% of your average weekly wage during your highest quarter, up to the $504 maximum. So if you were making $1,008+ per week consistently, you'd get the full $504. If you made less, your benefit will be proportionally lower. You also need to have worked in at least two quarters and earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify for NYS Department of Labor benefits.
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Omar Fawaz
•Wait I'm confused about the base period thing. Is that the last 4 quarters before I file or something different?
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Freya Pedersen
•The base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024.
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Chloe Anderson
I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation and it's impossible! The phone lines are always busy and when I do get through I get disconnected. Recently found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor within minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.
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Isabella Santos
•Interesting, never heard of that service before. Did they charge you a lot to make the call?
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Chloe Anderson
•Actually they focus more on the value of getting through rather than the cost. For me it was worth it to finally get answers about my claim status instead of spending hours trying to call myself.
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Diego Vargas
Just remember you have to file your weekly claims every week and do your job search activities or they'll cut off your benefits even if you qualified for the maximum amount initially.
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Anastasia Fedorov
The whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing!! I wish they would just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you guess. Good luck with your claim, hope you get approved quickly and don't have to deal with adjudication delays like so many people here.
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