What's the maximum unemployment benefit amount in NY right now?
I'm filling out my NYS Department of Labor application and trying to figure out what my weekly benefit amount might be. I was making around $75,000 last year working in tech. Does anyone know what the current maximum weekly unemployment benefit is? I've seen different numbers online and want to make sure I understand what to expect when my claim gets processed.
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Tyler Lefleur
The maximum weekly benefit rate for 2025 is $504. This is calculated based on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. Your weekly benefit amount will be roughly 50% of your average weekly wage during that period, up to the maximum.
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Camila Jordan
•Thanks! So even though I was making good money, I'll still be capped at $504 per week? That's actually lower than I thought it would be.
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Madeline Blaze
Yeah the max is $504 but most people don't actually get the full amount. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your highest earning quarter and divides by 26 to get your weekly rate. You need to have made at least $13,104 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum benefit.
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Max Knight
•Wait, is that right? I thought it was different math than that. My adjudication has been pending for weeks and I'm trying to understand what I might get.
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Emma Swift
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and their phone system is impossible! Every time I try to call to ask about my benefit calculation I get hung up on or put on hold forever. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone about this stuff?
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Isabella Tucker
•I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually get you through to NYS Department of Labor agents by phone. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting nowhere.
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Emma Swift
•Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get through to an actual person!
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Jayden Hill
just to add my 2 cents - the $504 max hasnt changed much in recent years which is frustrating when everything else costs more. my cousin in california gets way more than that for unemployment
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Tyler Lefleur
•Each state sets their own maximum benefit rates. New York's $504 is actually middle of the pack compared to other states, though you're right that it hasn't kept up with inflation as well as some other states have.
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LordCommander
Don't forget you can also get the additional $25 per week if you're in approved training or education programs while on unemployment. Not much but every little bit helps when you're job searching.
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