What's the max weekly unemployment benefit amount in NY for 2025?

Perfect, that's exactly what I needed to know. So even though my calculation would be higher, I'll get the $504 max. Do you know if that amount gets adjusted annually?

The $504 is the current maximum, but your actual benefit depends on your earnings during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed). If you made less during that specific timeframe, your benefit will be lower even if you were making more recently.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They basically call the NYS Department of Labor for you and get you connected to an actual agent. I was skeptical at first but watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) and decided to try it. Got through to someone within a few hours when I'd been trying for weeks on my own.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some answers about my claim status.

totally agree, the system is broken

Good point about partial benefits. In my case it'll be regular UI since I was completely laid off, but that's helpful for others who might be reading this.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know the process went smoothly for you. I'm definitely planning to have taxes withheld - learned that lesson the hard way a few years ago when I had some contract work and forgot about the tax implications. Quick question - how long did it take from when you submitted your application until you started receiving payments? I'm trying to budget for the gap period.

@Grace Lee That s'really helpful info about the 26-week duration and tax withholding! I hadn t'thought about the taxable income aspect. Since you just went through this, do you know if there s'any waiting period before benefits start, or do they begin right away once approved?

@Grace Lee Thanks for the detailed breakdown! I m'in a similar situation - just got laid off from a consulting firm in Rochester making around $72k. It s'reassuring to hear the online application process was straightforward. Did you have any issues with verifying your identity or providing employment documentation? I m'gathering all my paperwork now and want to make sure I have everything ready before I start the application.

@Grace Lee This is super helpful timing for me! I m'also in the NYC area and just got hit with layoffs at my marketing agency. Making about $70k so sounds like I ll'be in a similar boat with the $504 max. Did you run into any issues during the weekly certification process? I ve'heard some people say the system can be glitchy on certain days of the week. Also curious if you had to do any job search requirements right away or if there s'a grace period when you first start claiming benefits?

@Grace Lee That s'great to hear your experience went smoothly! I m'preparing to file myself and wondering about the timing. Did you file immediately after your layoff date, or is there any advantage to waiting? Also, when you mentioned having your documents together, what specific paperwork did you need beyond just your basic employment info? I want to make sure I m'fully prepared before starting the application process.

@Grace Lee This is exactly the kind of real-world info I was looking for! Really appreciate you sharing your experience. One more question if you don t'mind - when you were doing your weekly certifications, were you required to apply to a certain number of jobs each week right from the start? I ve'heard conflicting information about whether there s'a waiting period before the work search requirements kick in, and I want to make sure I understand what s'expected of me once I get my claim approved.

@Grace Lee Really appreciate you sharing your experience! I m'in a similar situation - just got laid off from a financial services company upstate making about $66k. The $504 max should apply to me too based on what you and others have said. Quick question about the weekly certifications - do you do them online through the same NY.gov portal where you filed initially? And have you noticed any particular days of the week when the system tends to be less busy/more reliable? I ve'heard Sunday nights can be rough with everyone trying to certify at once.

That's really good additional info about the annual adjustments and other programs! I hadn't thought about checking with local workforce development boards in the Albany area. Do you know if those county resources typically require you to be receiving unemployment benefits to access their services, or can anyone who's job searching use them? It would be great to have additional support beyond just the weekly benefit payments, especially for networking and skill development opportunities.

@Fatima Al-Suwaidi Thanks for the practical tips about filing ASAP and having all the documentation ready! Really helpful to know about needing the FEIN number - I wouldn t'have thought to look for that on my paystub. Quick question about the one-week waiting period you mentioned - does that mean there s'a full week where you re'approved but not receiving payments, or is it more like a processing delay? I m'trying to plan my finances for the transition period and want to make sure I understand the timeline correctly.

@Fatima Al-Suwaidi This is super helpful, especially about the FEIN number - I definitely would have missed that detail! Just to clarify on the waiting period, is that one week unpaid even after you re'approved, or is it just part of the initial processing time? Also, when you say to file ASAP after layoff, is there any penalty for filing on the exact day you re'laid off versus waiting a day or two? I m'trying to get my timing right since my last day is coming up soon.

@Monique Byrd That s'a really important detail about the benefit year vs. the 26-week collection period! I hadn t'realized those were two separate timeframes. That could definitely be relevant given how unstable the job market has been lately - it s'good to know that if I find something quickly but then face another layoff within that 52-week window, I wouldn t'have to start completely over with a new application. Thanks for taking the time to actually call and get that clarification from DOL directly, even though it was a pain to get through. This whole thread has given me so much more confidence about navigating the process!

@Freya Nielsen That s'really helpful about the benefit calculator on the NY.gov portal! I wish I had known about that before - would have saved me from doing all the math myself to estimate what I d'be getting. The tip about alternative job search activities is great too. I was worried I d'have to be applying to multiple jobs every single week right from the start, but it sounds like there are other ways to meet those requirements. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Syracuse nonprofit sector - it s'reassuring to hear from someone else who just went through this process recently and found it manageable.