When does unemployment pay increase in New York - NYS Department of Labor benefit rates

So even if the max goes up, my current $320 stays the same? That doesn't seem fair if I'm still unemployed when the increase happens.

Wait I'm confused - so if I'm on standby and they call me back after the rate increase, do I get the new amount?

No, standby status doesn't change your benefit rate. You're still on the same claim that was established when you first filed.

I had luck using Claimyr to get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold forever. I used it to get clarification on my job search requirements and actually spoke to someone within a few hours.

Thanks! I'll definitely look into that. I'm so tired of getting hung up on after waiting 45 minutes.

That makes more sense when you explain it that way. Still feels unfair though when you're dealing with current prices on old wage calculations.

It's still based on those same base period quarters regardless of job changes. NYS Department of Labor looks at ALL wages reported to them during your base period - so if you had multiple jobs or switched jobs during Q4 2022 through Q3 2023, they'd combine all those earnings to calculate your weekly benefit rate. The job changes don't reset your base period, it's always those specific quarters when you first filed your claim.

You can request a benefit rate recalculation if you think there was an error in how they calculated your original amount, but you can't appeal just because you want a higher rate due to cost of living. The recalculation would still be based on your original base period wages though. If you think they missed some of your earnings or made a calculation mistake, you'd need to file a Request for Reconsideration form with supporting documentation like pay stubs or tax records. But honestly, most people find out their original calculation was correct.

I actually did exhaust my benefits last year and had to refile in March. Even with the new claim, my base period was still pretty old - they used Q3 2022 through Q2 2023 for the March 2024 filing. So I only got about a $25 increase from $275 to $300 weekly. The "more recent wages" are still over a year old by the time you refile. It helps a little but don't expect a huge jump unless you had a significant pay increase during those specific quarters.

Yes, you're correct - your benefit amount will stay the same for your entire claim period regardless of any annual increases. The October adjustments only apply to new claims filed after the effective date. As for timing, in my experience it took about 2-3 weeks to get my first payment after filing, but that was after completing the mandatory waiting week. Make sure you keep certifying weekly even if you haven't received payment yet, and don't forget about the job search requirements! The restaurant industry can be tough but there are usually opportunities if you're willing to be flexible with locations or shifts.

@Giovanni Colombo Welcome to the community! Yes, your benefit rate will be locked in for your entire claim period. One thing to keep in mind as a restaurant worker - if you re'looking at seasonal work or catering gigs while job hunting, make sure to report any earnings when you certify each week. Even small amounts can affect your weekly benefit. Also, the job search requirement is usually 3 job contacts per week, but restaurant/hospitality jobs often have quick hiring cycles so you might find something faster than expected. Good luck with your search!

@Giovanni Colombo Just wanted to add that if you worked at multiple restaurant locations or had any side gigs in addition to your main restaurant job during your base period, make sure NYS Department of Labor has records of ALL your earnings. Sometimes smaller establishments or cash tip jobs don t'always report wages properly, which could mean you re'getting a lower benefit calculation than you re'entitled to. You can check your wage history through the online system once your claim is processed. If anything looks missing or incorrect, definitely contact them to get it corrected - it s'worth the hassle if it means a higher weekly benefit amount.

@Charlotte Jones Thank you for sharing your experience! That s'exactly what I was worried about - getting stuck in this waiting pattern when the reality is the increases just don t'apply to existing claims. It s'disappointing but you re'absolutely right that focusing energy on job searching is the better strategy. Did you find that employers in your field were understanding about the employment gap, or did you face any challenges explaining the time on unemployment during interviews? I m'trying to stay optimistic about finding something before my benefits run out too.