When is unemployment going up in New York - NYS Department of Labor benefit increase timeline?

Unemployment benefit amounts in NY are usually adjusted once a year, typically in October when the new benefit year begins. The maximum weekly benefit amount is tied to the state average weekly wage, so it can go up or down depending on economic conditions. For 2024, the max was $504 per week. NYS Department of Labor hasn't announced the 2025 rates yet, but they usually publish those around September.

i think they adjust it automatically but dont quote me on that. my cousin got unemployment last year and i remember him saying his amount went up in the middle of his claim but that might have been something else

Been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for years and let me tell you - don't hold your breath for any meaningful increases. They calculate these amounts based on some formula that never seems to keep up with actual cost of living. Even when they do raise it, it's usually like $20-30 more per week which doesn't help much when everything else is going up faster.

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get official info about benefit increases, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to a real person. They have a system that helps you connect with agents when the regular phone lines are jammed. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth trying if you want to get a definitive answer about your specific situation.

same boat here, really hoping for an increase soon 😭

I'm in a similar situation - been on unemployment since December and really feeling the pinch with rising costs. From what I've researched, NY's benefit calculation is based on the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) which gets updated annually. The formula is that the maximum weekly benefit equals 50% of the SAWW. So if wages across the state went up in 2024, we should see an increase in the maximum benefit for the 2025 benefit year starting in October. But like others mentioned, if you're already on an active claim, you're locked into your current benefit year's rates until it expires. Really wish they would adjust mid-claim for cost of living but that's not how the system works unfortunately.

Hey Oliver! I just went through something similar when my claim started in October. What I found out is that your benefit amount is calculated based on your wages from a specific "base period" - usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So even if there's an increase in October 2025, it won't affect your current claim since your benefit year and weekly amount were already locked in when you started in November 2024. The frustrating part is you'd have to wait until your benefit year ends to potentially qualify for a new claim at the higher rates. I know it's not the answer you were hoping for, but at least now you know what to expect!

I've been dealing with this same frustration since starting my claim in January. What I learned from calling NYS DOL (after many attempts) is that they typically announce the new benefit rates around late August/early September for the October benefit year. The rates are calculated using a formula based on the previous year's average weekly wages across the state. Unfortunately, if you're already on an active claim like most of us here, you won't see any increase until you potentially qualify for a new benefit year. The system really doesn't account for inflation hitting us while we're on existing claims. I've been tracking my expenses and the gap between my benefit amount and actual living costs just keeps growing. Hoping the 2025 rates will at least provide some relief for people starting new claims next year.

I've been following this thread closely since I'm in a similar situation - started my claim in late 2024 and really feeling the squeeze with rising costs. One thing I discovered that might help everyone here is that NYS DOL publishes their benefit rate calculations in their annual reports, usually available on their website under the "Statistics" section. While we can't change our current benefit amounts, you can at least estimate what the 2025 rates might look like by checking if they've published updated State Average Weekly Wage data. Also, for those having trouble getting through to NYS DOL, I've had better luck calling right when they open at 8 AM or trying their chat feature on the website during off-peak hours. It's frustrating that we're all locked into rates that don't keep up with inflation, but at least we can stay informed about what's coming next year.

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just filed my claim last week and had no idea that benefit rates get locked in when you start your claim. It's disappointing to learn that even if there's an increase in October, those of us on current claims won't see it. But I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and the practical tips about when NYS DOL typically announces new rates. The suggestion about checking the Statistics section for State Average Weekly Wage data is something I'm definitely going to look into. It's frustrating that the system doesn't adjust for inflation during active claims, but at least now I know what to expect and can plan accordingly. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here!

I've been researching this same question and found some additional info that might help. According to NYS Labor Law Section 590, the maximum weekly benefit amount is recalculated each year using 50% of the statewide average weekly wage from the previous year. What's particularly frustrating is that while they use this formula to set maximums, your individual benefit is still based on your personal wage history during the "base period" - typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before filing. So even when the maximum goes up in October, many people won't see the full benefit because their personal calculation might be lower than the new maximum anyway. I've been tracking the Department's quarterly reports and it looks like wage growth has been modest, so don't expect huge increases. For anyone starting new claims after October 2025, the rates should reflect 2024 wage data, but those of us on current claims are indeed stuck with our locked-in amounts until our benefit year expires.

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. Started my claim in September 2024 and was initially confused about how the rate increases work. After doing some research and finally getting through to a NYS DOL representative, here's what I found out: the benefit year runs from October to September, and your weekly benefit amount is locked in for that entire period based on when you file. So unfortunately Oliver, since you started in November 2024, you're on the 2024 benefit year rates until your claim expires. The 2025 rates that will be announced around August/September will only apply to new claims filed after October 2025. I know it's not the news you wanted to hear, but at least you can plan accordingly. One small tip - keep an eye on the NYS DOL website in late summer for the official announcement about 2025 rates, especially if you think you might need to file a new claim next year.