Unemployment Benefits Estimator — New York

Unemployment Benefits Estimator in New York

If you were paid in all four base-period quarters and your high quarter exceeds $3,575, New York divides that quarter by 26 to set your rate; at $3,575 or less it divides by 25, and if you were paid in only two or three quarters with a high quarter above $4,000 it averages your two highest and divides by 26. The result runs from $140 to $869. Duration is uniform at 26 weeks — unusual, and worth knowing, because it means a short work history reduces your weekly check rather than the number of weeks you can draw. One unpaid waiting week applies. With a median two-bedroom at $2,756/mo, even the maximum falls short of rent in much of the state; SNAP here uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200% FPL. Apply at https://dol.ny.gov/

Unemployment Benefits in New York: Weekly Amounts and How Long They Last

New York pays a weekly unemployment benefit of between $140 and $869. Those are the statutory floor and ceiling, not an estimate of what you personally would receive: your weekly benefit amount is calculated from the wages in your base period, and the maximum is reached only if those wages were high enough. New York computes it this way — If you were paid in all four base-period quarters and high-quarter wages exceed $3,575, your rate is high-quarter wages divided by 26 (with a $143 floor on that calculation); if high-quarter wages are $3,575 or less, it is high-quarter wages divided by 25. If you were paid in only two or three quarters and high-quarter wages exceed $4,000, it is the average of your two highest quarters divided by 26.

These amounts apply to claims filed on or after October 13, 2025. New York did not apply them retroactively to claims that were already open. If your claim began before October 13, 2025, it keeps the weekly benefit amount that was in force on the day you filed, for the life of that claim — so do not assume the figures above describe a claim you already have. Your monetary determination letter shows the rate your claim was actually set at.

• Weekly benefit range: $140 to $869
• Weeks payable: 26 weeks
• Waiting week: yes — the first otherwise-payable week is unpaid, and you generally still have to file a weekly claim for it
• In effect since: October 13, 2025

How New York decides how many weeks you get: Uniform 26-week duration; New York does not shorten duration based on earnings or the state unemployment rate.

Source and date: these New York figures were verified on August 2, 2026 against New York State Department of Labor, publication P832 (2/26) 'How Your Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefit Payment Is Calculated'; NYSDOL UI Claimant Handbook, January 2026 (waiting week); NYSDOL 'What is the Maximum Benefit Rate?' (dol.ny.gov/mbr); US DOL Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, January 2026 (uniform 26-week duration), and are the amounts that agency shows as in effect since October 13, 2025. Benefit amounts and durations change — many states re-index once a year, and some change duration as the state unemployment rate moves — so check the agency link before relying on a figure. Only your monetary determination letter states your own weekly benefit amount and the number of weeks you can actually be paid.

SNAP Benefits in New York

New York uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), with a gross income limit of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a household of 4 in New York is $975. You can apply online at https://otda.ny.gov/ or by calling 1-800-342-3009.

Medicaid in New York

New York has expanded Medicaid under the ACA (NY Medicaid). Adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,025/year for an individual) are eligible. Apply at https://health.ny.gov/medicaid.

New York Wage Information

The minimum wage in New York is $16/hour ($10.65/hour for tipped workers). The median household income is $79,557. New York has a state income tax with a top rate of 10.9%.

Tenant Rights in New York

New York requires landlords to give 14 days notice for nonpayment of rent before filing for eviction. Just cause is required for eviction. The typical eviction process takes approximately 90 days. Free legal aid is available at https://nylag.org/.

Rent in New York

The median rent in New York is approximately $2,499/month for a 1-bedroom and $2,756/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. New York does not have rent control.

Important Notes for New York Residents

The data shown above is based on publicly available information and is updated regularly. Benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and legal requirements can change. Always verify current information with your local New York agencies before making important decisions. This calculator provides estimates — not guaranteed outcomes.