Why is NYS Department of Labor unemployment pay so low - barely covering rent
I just got approved for unemployment after being laid off from my retail job last month and I'm getting $182 a week. That's it. My rent alone is $1,400 and that doesn't even include groceries, utilities, phone bill, etc. How is anyone supposed to survive on this? I worked for 3 years and paid into the system and this is what I get back? I see people talking about maximum benefits but mine seems way lower than what others are getting. Is there something wrong with my claim or is this really how little NYS Department of Labor pays out?
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Jamal Carter
Your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your earnings during your base period, which is usually the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. NYS Department of Labor takes your highest quarter earnings and divides by 26 to get your weekly benefit rate. The maximum for 2025 is $504 per week, but most people don't qualify for the max. If you were making minimum wage or part-time hours, your benefit will be proportionally lower.
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Zoe Papadakis
•I was making $16/hour but only getting like 25-30 hours a week because they kept cutting everyone's shifts. So that's probably why it's so low?
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AstroAdventurer
yeah the whole system is broken, i got $220 a week when my mortgage is $2100. its impossible to live on
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Mei Liu
The unfortunate reality is that unemployment benefits are designed to be temporary income replacement, not full salary replacement. NYS aims for about 50% of your average weekly wage, but there are caps. If you're struggling to reach NYS Department of Labor by phone to verify your benefit calculation, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. An agent can review your wage history and explain exactly how they calculated your weekly amount.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Never heard of that service but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get disconnected
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Amara Chukwu
I've been on unemployment twice and both times barely covered my expenses. The first time I had to move back in with family because $190/week wasn't cutting it. The second time I was getting $340 which was better but still had to pick up gig work just to survive. The system assumes you have other resources or savings which most of us don't.
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Giovanni Conti
Check if you qualify for SNAP benefits too, that can help with groceries. Also look into your local food banks. I know it sucks having to use these programs but unemployment really isn't meant to replace your full income unfortunately.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Thanks, I'll look into SNAP. Never thought I'd need food assistance but here we are.
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