Key Takeaways
- New York's maximum weekly unemployment benefit jumped to $869 as of October 6, 2025 — up from $504, a 73% increase.
- This is one of the biggest single-year increases in NY UI history and affects more than half of all claimants.
- Benefits last up to 26 weeks for most claimants.
- File at labor.ny.gov or by phone. NY requires a one-week waiting period before benefits begin.
- The new maximum wage base for 2026 is calculated at 18% of the state's average annual wage, a formula change that will continue increasing the cap in future years.
New York’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit is now $869 — as of October 6, 2025, the state implemented one of the largest single increases to its UI program in recent history. The previous cap was $504. That’s a jump of $365 per week, or about 73%.
Governor Hochul and state labor leaders announced the increase in October 2025 as part of changes to how New York calculates its UI benefit cap going forward. More than half of all New York UI claimants will see higher payments as a result.
Here’s everything that changed and how the 2026 system works.
What Changed — The $869 Maximum
The new $869 cap took effect for claims filed on or after October 6, 2025. If you filed your claim before that date, your benefit amount was set under the old formula and wouldn’t automatically increase mid-claim.
Breakdown of impact (per NY DOL data at announcement):
- 27% of claimants now receive the full new maximum of $869/week
- 28% of additional claimants saw their weekly payment increase (but below the max)
- Remaining claimants with lower earnings weren’t affected or were already at their formula-based max
The formula going forward: New York also changed how it sets the cap each year. Starting in 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is pegged to 18% of the state’s average annual wage (rounded up to the nearest $100). This means the cap will adjust each year as wages change — instead of requiring legislative action to update it.
2026 NY Unemployment Insurance Basics
The agency managing New York’s UI is the NY Department of Labor (NY DOL). The main filing portal is labor.ny.gov.
Maximum weekly benefit: $869 (as of October 2025)
Minimum weekly benefit: $100 (for most claimants)
Benefit duration: Up to 26 weeks for most claimants
One-week waiting period: New York maintains a waiting week — you won’t receive a payment for the first week of your claim, though you still need to certify for it. The waiting week counts toward your total 26 weeks.
How New York Calculates Your Benefit
New York uses what it calls the “high quarter” method. Your weekly benefit is calculated as 1/26th of your wages in your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim).
- Highest base quarter of $22,594 or more → you qualify for the $869 maximum
- Highest base quarter of $4,200 → $4,200 ÷ 26 = roughly $161/week
The base period must include earnings in at least two of the four quarters, and you need to have earned at least $2,900 total in the base period (or earned wages in at least two quarters with certain minimums).
Who Qualifies in New York
Core eligibility requirements for 2026:
- Lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, business closure, substantial reduction in hours)
- Worked in New York during the base period and meet minimum wage/earnings requirements
- Physically able to work, available for work, and actively looking for a job
- Not receiving disqualifying income (certain pension payments can reduce or offset benefits)
Voluntary quits generally disqualify you — unless you had “good cause” as defined by state law (medical reasons, workplace safety conditions, domestic violence, relocation for a spouse’s military deployment, etc.).
Self-employed and gig workers are generally not covered under New York’s regular UI program.
How to File for NY Unemployment in 2026
- Online (preferred): labor.ny.gov — available 24/7
- Phone: 1-888-209-8124 — hours vary by zip code (NY DOL staggers calls by region)
- Spanish line: 1-888-209-8124 (select Spanish option)
After filing:
- Complete your ID verification — NY DOL uses ID.me for identity verification. This is a required step and sometimes where claims get stuck. If you hit issues, the DOL has in-person assistance at local One-Stop Career Centers.
- Certify weekly via the phone system or online. You’ll be asked about any work and earnings that week, whether you were available and looking for work, and whether you refused any job offers.
- Payments are issued via debit card or direct deposit. NY DOL uses KeyBank for debit card payments.
Allow 3–4 weeks for processing on a first claim without complications.
Appealing a NY UI Determination
If denied, you have 30 days from the mailing date of the determination to file a written appeal. File online through your NY.gov account or mail it to the address on the notice.
Appeals go to an Administrative Law Judge hearing, conducted by phone. You can bring documentation and even representation — the NY DOL system is formal enough that having your paperwork together matters.
What to Watch in 2026
The new formula-based cap (18% of average annual wage) means New York’s maximum benefit will likely continue to rise in coming years as wages grow. This is a structural change, not a one-time bump. Watch the NY DOL site in late 2026 for the 2027 maximum — it will likely be above $869.
For a comparison of how New York’s new $869 stacks up against other states, see our 2026 maximum weekly unemployment benefits by state. New York is now among the top tier nationally, behind Washington ($1,647) but ahead of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
I was waiting 14 months to only have it for 3 months. I was told to put in a new claim in by a representative of unemployment and I will get my back pay. I put in a new claim and was told I’m not
Qualify to receive unemployment benefits by a tier 3 Representatives I asked her to patch me through to someone who can help me with my back pay and she did and I was told I will be receiving my unemployment back pay benefits. The next day I get a Email saying that my claim is being reviewed I’ll go on the website to look at my account and payment history and it’s gone and it was just up there do I need to get a lawyer had to go to KeyBank to get the bank statements that work for only 3 months should I get a lawyer please help
I’m still waiting on 2 weeks of payments I claimed in January and all my claims since mid march (8 weeks). Noone answers my emails. I’ve gotten through to them twice (after about 50 calls). Both times I was told my claim would be expedited but I’m still waiting for payments. I am a single parent raising 2 kids and I’m having a hard time getting by. It appears they are overwhelmed but news outlets claim unemployment has dropped drastically from last years claims, so what’s going on? Where’s my money? C’mon NY. I hate this State.
Your best bet at this stage to get a call back from the NYSDOL (if you can not get through by calling the main number) is to call your State Senator or Assembly member. They can get your contact info to the state.
Still missing 6 weeks of payments from December and January, plus the additional $300 supplement. Totalling over $4,000 dollars in back pay. It’s now the middle of May! Can’t get through on the TCC line, no one responds to email, no one responds to written letters… Pathetic!
Your best bet at this stage to get a call back from the NYSDOL (if you can not get through by calling the main number) is to call your State Senator or Assembly member. They can get your contact info to the state.
I never got a docusign email but I have about 3 months of backpay that I need to claim. How can I do that?
hello.
I received a docusign telling me to answer one of 3 questions.
Is it necessary to fill it out when I’ve still been receiving ui and the $300?
It says the deadline is 4/18
“New York State Department of Labor has sent you this form to inform you about the end of your benefit year on your unemployment insurance claim and to establish your ongoing benefit eligibility. In order to receive the benefits you are entitled to moving forward, you must accurately complete and return this form.
This form will be used to determine if you qualify for extended benefits on your existing claim or if you must file a new claim for benefits. This is based on your work history (excluding self-employment) and wages earned (excluding wages earned from self-employment) since filing your initial claim in 2020”
I used DocuSign and received 90% of my back pay. I certified for a 10 week block July through august but never received 4 weeks of UI or PUA. Is there a reason I didn’t get paid? They paid me every week before and after just not the month of august. Is that normal or am I supposed to get that pay also? PLEASE HELP!!! THATS ALMOST $1500! And I could really use it right now
Don’t expect any Monet soon. Bus will drag this out till it’s exhausted. They have theere special projects that needs funding. I haven’t received a cent since the 21st. That was my exhausted date. I received two Monetary Benefit letters. That says exactly the same thing. I have no funds. I’m maxing out my credit card just to pay for food and has. I have been applying to jobs that 100’s of people who have been applying. I haven’t any luck. Those jobs they said they are out there have 100’s of applicants. So you have 5-6% chance you’ll be hired. What I’m saying don’t give in to Cuomos bull. He wants that money for his pet projects. You all voted for that perv. So now we’ll all suffer.
me too,seven weeks, they keep saying by 2 to four weeks to be approved since june
Certify for benefits ending week March 29th 2021 automated service said I have certified for my weekly benefits after checking online was not paid for this week instead of showing week of the 23 I was paid the UA and Pua benefits but on the 29th I did not receive my payment on Tuesday the 30th has anyone else had this problem and will this continue and will it be retroactive eventually because it did say I have certified there was no ink link that I lost my benefits and there were no other comments in automated service saying that they were exhausted or that I had to reapply
I wrote something before. Auto correct screwed up my message. Don’t expect any of your Benefits any time soon. Nys is gonna drag this out this it’s almost exhausted. Cuomo wants the money door his pet project. God knows what else?.. You all voted for that perv. Now we all have to suffer. It’s tough out there. I’ve applied to 15 jobs that 100’s applied. My chances were 5-6% chance to be hired. I haven’t seen a penny since the 21st of March. I received 2 Monetary Determination letters. Telling me the same thing. I’ve been living on credit. Buying food, gas, Paying bills. Nys does not care at all.
I gave up calling the Unemployment office. I got through once. They put me on hold, then it hung up on me..I just give up. I’m just gonna buy a tent .. That will be my home. Good luck to you all. I hope you get the help. For you already getting it. Don’t buy unnecessary items. Save your money. I hope you all do well and become blessed.
Hi im from Newyork my Benefit-Year-End today March 14,2021 just exhausted my 26 weeks and i beleive im still under the extension programs benefits from last year since i worked in 2020 partime my question is do i need to Re-certify- or apply since my benefits year ends and my balance is 0 but i still have money payable on my account?im a little bit confused can you kindly help me if i should reapply since my benefits year end today??thank you all
did anyone else receive a letter recently (last week 2/12/21) saying they were getting and extra $600 (one time) and if not received to call a number? my mom threw out the letter by accident and i have no gotten the money yet…
Hey guys I applied for ui jan 6 of this year, I received a message on my DOL website and it gave me the option to certify the weeks I’ve been out due to covid. I’ve been out since October because I’ve been diagnosed with COVID. Will I receive all of my back pay since that day I’ve been out?
I lost my last job, due to COVID, last July 2020. I had went thru all the DocuSign steps to get 10-11weeks back pay, (since returning to work) but there was a hiccup.
PLEASE remember to go back on the NY Unemployment website and recertify; as if certifying a new week for benefits. If you are currently working now, it should generate a questionnaire. This questionnaire was all that was missing before I could receive back pay. If you are not working, simply call them (early in the morning to get thru), and someone will be able to explain to you exactly what to do to get your back pay distributed.
i have been waiting on my back pay and my fpuc benefits my benefits since the 3rd of january 2021 and my back pay i put in the request of that 12-24-2020 like whats the deal with that i have kids and bills to worry about do i have to wait a week due to it being a new year even though my [BYE] hasnt been terminated yet like i need help like begging but i cant get no one to help me anyone have any information please email me [email protected]
I filed a claim on 11/20/2020 and completed 11/23/2020 and my waiting week was processed 11/23/2020 since then my ui weekly benefit for 11/22/2020,11/29/2020 has not been paid
Are you talking about LWA? I sent DOL a “Please help me” message last week, like someone on here suggested. Still waiting for a reply… and no LWA money yet. It’s Dec 7th already.
NO the normal Ui weekly benefit and I have try contacting them on call but no agent available
I was able to reach an agent once.. After I dialed forever and listened to the same recording like 100 times.
Keep calling. You have to speak to them on phone. The fastest way to get ur benefit. Make ur full time job calling the DOL
They still didn’t pay u yet? I been wanting?
Nothing for this week either?
Hey guys I got my first payment in October I waited so long for back payments if your waiting still sign in to your nygov account go to certify weekly and go to messages all you have to say is your still waiting on back payments someone please help…send it…after I did that a week later I got a call and 2 days later I got all my back payments I promise this is the way to go I hope it helps good luck
I messaged DOL twice regarding LWA.. All I got was automated replies with general info about lwa, nothing concrete. I’m in NYC and still not one payment! It’s December already. I’m losing hope.
I tried calling DOL a few weeks ago regarding LWA, they put me on hold for about 2 hours and then disconnected my call. I keep certifying every week, but not a penny still. It’s December 3rd.
I’m in NYC and still have not received any LWA money. I have a DOL account and used to get $600 +$182 PUA weekly deposits which ended on July 31st. Right now I’m still unemployed and still waiting for LWA. I log in to certify every week. Is the money coming or should I just forget about it?!
My original job laid me off completely 3/21/19. I started collecting partial unemployment 8/18/18 as the job kept lessening my hours. Finally Unemployment ran out. In May of this year I received a letter saying I could receive an extension on my unemployment which I am still getting, (I also got the $600.00) My question is do I qualify for the $300.00 LWA as my original loss of the job was not due to the COVID but I am still out of work.
Yes you’d be eligible for the $300, also. Anyone who files for unemployment between the affected weeks in the bill (december 27th-march 14th) will be eligible whether you’re out of work because of COVID or not.
Nys DOL CoVid19 related case. Nys gave me $182 when it should of been $285 Per week. I submitted ALL the corrected paperwork & they never adjusted my $$. What should I do? They are still hanging up on me Everytime I call!
I would call them back and inform them you got paid for all but one week. They will look in the system and verify the unpaid week. Hopefully there is nothing holding that particular week up from being paid.
I would call them back and inform them you got paid for all but one week. They will look in the system and verify the unpaid week and either recertify you for it or find out if there may be something holding it up from being paid.
I only qualify for pua because I worked off the books cleaning houses And I only get 180 a week but I received ALOT more than that weekly when I was working . How can I get more from unemployment ?
Unemployment is supposed to be a supplement. Unfortunately we only get a portion of what we used to make. But on the bright side, we may be getting another 300- 400 dollars extra weekly in our unemployment checks if we are unemployed due to covid!
I did not receive an email for the extra $300 and everybody else did. does that mean i am not getting mine. i am in NYC.
You must call This number here (833)-491-0632 As I did and only found out through friends behemoth learning they were receiving their $300 in benefits and I wasn’t.nor did I ever receive an email from the Dept.of labor(unemployment).once you call this automated number and answer the (1 or 2 I forget how many exactly) question(s) you will receive your money In a matter of days literally.Please be patient,and LISTEN to all of the Question/options BEFORE answering!! GOOD LUCK
Hello I am a substitute teacher, and have been collecting PUA since March. In June, I had called the NYS unemployment office and asked when I should stop collecting as I was confused about the dates school ended. They told me to keep certifying , even if I get back to work In the fall, just state when you weren’t available to work , as those days are non claimable . Is this correct?
You are allowed to work up to 3 days of 7 and still receive a portion of benefits. If you work 4 days then they will take 100% of your benefits for just that week. But yes, do keep certifying even though you are working especially if part time and less than 4 days!
7-10 buisiness days call key bank 18662952955
I filed for the pandemic unemployment it was illegible for what but the week in June to the 1st of July I got zero because they say I didn’t put hours a search in which I did so they paid me zero for those two weeks. Then my temporary unemployment it says I’m eligible but it keeps saying that I have a request payment which I have and if they call the Texas workforce but I can’t get through the line so when I get the benefits for temporary unemployment that they say I qualify for I will I just get the pandemic unemployment but they keep skipping weeks another word is I might get two weeks apartment for the month of June but the month of July they won’t pay they give me 0 payment. So I don’t know even if I do request payment every two weeks like they tell me I don’t know if they’ll give it to me or not can someone respond to help please.
Hello, I’m sorry to bother you because I think I made an error when reading the questions that were confusing for me in the application of the remaining weeks that I was unemployed and answered quickly without consulting those who know how to read more than I do English, but since I already have the security of read it well I did it without knowing for sure the questions, I am unemployed from March 13 to the week of July 13 to 19, I received my first unemployment payment, that is, I am eligible from week 16 to March 22 to date because I have not worked and received only 3 payments from the fpuc, please ask me to give me the opportunity to complete the application correctly, where they gave me 10 dates that said eligible or not eligible.
me too
I applied for PUA on July 30th and was subsequently approved. I certified for all the weeks I could not work due to Corona back to March 15th.
Went on the DOL website and under payment history it says:
“You last certified for benefits for the week ending 03/15/2020.
Your unpaid waiting period was processed on 07/31/2020.”
Confused if I am eligible to receive PUA/PUC backpay going back to March 3/15 or if I applied too late?
Thanks!
Michael
I work p/t and I stop working f/t. January 9ih. Also IM a health care worker. The individuAl had covoid, and was diagnosed with it & they she had. Anyway kit said in your readings that if someone was laid off in January they can get retroactive pay & if not able for regular UI they 7 more weeks of pua. My agency has told me that the client in this end of summer probably wants to spread out the 23hrs in more than 3 days. So how can I receive those extra 7 weeks of pua
i have exhausted all my ui [ july 2020] but was sent a letter for EB benefits , do i use my last employer to file a new claim . those are the ui benefits i exhausted .
You dont re apply for anything you just keep recertifying. extra 13 weeks from NY. and 20 weeks after the federal puec. what state are you from?
Hi im from Newyork my BYE today March 14,2021 i just exhausted my 26 weeks and i beleive im still under the extension programs benefits from last year since i worked in 2020 partially my question is do i need to Re-certify or apply since my benefits year ends and my balance is 0 buyt i still have money payable on my account?im a little bit confused can you kindly help me if i should reapply?
My back payment was released but the prepaid card I had only allowed 14 deposit in a 24 hr period so the rest of my payments were sent back to unemployment and now I’m waiting for them to reissue to my key 2 benefit card how long does that take
when was it backdated from ? cause i didnt get a back pay for mine
please help
How long did it take for them to process your back pay ?
I having the same problem Wendy it’s been eleven weeks since it happen and I still haven’t received the rest of my backpay can anyone tell me why is it taking so long??
Hi , I am owed commissions earned before COVID & my layoff, how can I get these payments without jeopardizing my unemployment status.
Hi Andy I am receiving pua benefits and I became unemployed on March 19, I just received my backdated money this week from March till end of May, but all of June and first week of July is missing and I didn’t receive the back pay for those 5 weeks yet, will I get another email from dip to certify for those weeks and do you know if I will definitely get our for those weeks as it clearly states pua will pay u back all the retroactive pay??
Yes you are legally entitled for those payments if eligible and you certify. Likely just processing delays
Yes me too. I’m missing backpay from 5/31 to 7/19. Through docusign I certified from 4/5 to 5/24, but haven’t received docusign to certify for the missing weeks. I got the docusign and subequential payment early August for April and May. Others have already received backpay they were missing similar to mine. Would greatly appreciate input from anyone in the same situation or when I should expect the last 8 weeks of backpay. Thank you
I was missing payments as well. I just called the DOL and they certified me for those weeks. You may need to be certified or recertified for those weeks. I would call them. If that’s not the problem, there might be something else holding up your payments.
I certified some of my eligibility for benefits online (DocuSign) and the balance of 5 weeks verbally with a NYS DOL representative. I am still missing one week (7/5/2020). How do I go about receiving this missing week?
I would call them back and inform them you got paid for all but one week. They will look in the system and verify the unpaid week and either recertify you for it or find out if there may be something holding it up.
Hi! My hours were reduced. I was worki g about 25 hrs weekly and making around $400 to $450 per weekly Gross. My employee split my hours into 4 days. If I apply for pua will I qualify? Somebody told me that in order to qualify for the FPUC I have to make less than $504 weekly and work only 3 days.
Is the FPUC for N.Y C end. I did not get mine when I recertificy on a Sunday , just the UI I live in NYC.
I’ve receiving my weekly benefits but even after signing a docusign via email 2 months ago, I have not received my backdated benefits. My husband is also missing two weeks of PUA.
i’m from ny, it’s shows my 3 payments of 300 were released yesterday but they are not showing up in my bank account today and i read we would have the 900 by friday. its even saying ny is paying now. there’s no pending status
I got paid for UE but I didn’t get paid for FPUC $600
Is the FPUC ended up early before July 31??
My 26 weeks of normal UE ended last week. I filed another claim, does my extra 13 weeks of peuc automatically kick in? Will there be a delay in payments? I live in NY
If you are eligible for PEUC or EB, the remaining balance amount will be adjusted the next time you certify for benefits. You do not have to file a new unemployment insurance claim unless your benefit year has expired. The system will advise you if your benefit year has expired and you need to file a new claim.
There may be a delay if the DOL has to do further validation of your continuing claim.
I worked as a tutor at a CUNY college. I remotely worked one day/week since the lockdown started in March. I didn’t know I would qualify for PUA/FPUC payments, but later someone told me that I would have qualified because I worked only one day/week. I got laid off from this job on 6/29 and applied for PUA in July. Is there a possibility of getting retroactive payments for the FPUC and PUA?
It would. But it’s at this discretion to adjust salaries
My 13 week PEUC are about to end . Will I be able to get more benefits ?
what did you have to do to get the peuc after your regular benefits expired?
?
I’m collecting on appointment since January I can find a job because of the coronavirus will I still be entitled to the $300 from the unemployment
I have been out of work since March 13. I am a substitute teacher and did not realize I could apply for benefits. I just did it on July 6, 2020. Will my pay be retroactive for the FPUC payments and unemployment benefits?
Yes
Hello. I have the same situation and I would also like to know if I still have to certify every week even if I applied late and the benefit would end on the 24?
If my hours have been reduced and I qualify for the max unemployment benefit of $504/wk am I still eligible for the federal $600/wk. If so, why have I not been receiving this money and what can I do to claim it?
Yes. If you get state UI you will get the $600. Maybe system issues are delaying things. Try and contact the DOL – but you will be eligible for retroactive payments
I am a self-employed worker in New York State and was laid off from my job. I applied and qualified to receive the max amount of state unemployment ($504) plus the additional $600 from federal which I have received the past few weeks. My employer is now offering temporary work in which I may have the opportunity to return to work for a week (my compensation would be higher than what I am receiving from the state so obviously I would not file or receive unemployment for that week). My question is, can I then return to unemployment the following week and continue to receive the additional 600 federal assistance?
I live in New York State. I have a return to work date on 6/15 as part of Phase 3 for our restaurant business. My hours, however, will be reduced from 14.5 to 10 hours per week. I doubt that I will continue getting the PUA since I was denied UI but will I get all or a portion of the $600 FPUC?
You need to get at least $1 of PUA or regular UI to the $600 FPUC payment.
Mine also says it was released on 09/17 but I have not received it on my debit card
An agent told me a lot of accounts were hacked during that week ending March 21st.my funds were released And paid to me direct deposit into some unknown account. For over a year I have been receiving my benefits in their KeyBank card. I don’t know how that happened. I have Rt received a payment since 3/14/2021 and they don’t know when I will receive my benefits again.’this is horrible and y didn’t DOL SEND OUT NOTICES TO INFORM THE CLAIMANTS NOT TO RESPONT TO ANY TEXT MESSAGES STATING THERE EAS A MISTAKE WITH YOUR CLAIM AND TO FOLLOW THIS LINK IS BEYOND ME!!
You should respond to the document sign notice. I did receive the notice while my benefits continued.then out of nowhere my payments stopped.I received my last payment on March 16th. The payment for the 23rd said it was paid direct deposit to some unknown account ..mind you all of my previous payments were on my KeyBank debit card.I ended up locked out of my online account and haven’t received a payment yet as of today’s date!!
Sweetheart you must set up an ID.Me account .then call and request to speak with a supervisor/senior agent..I went through the same process beginning March 22nd., I finally received all back payments in June.. the regular reps DONOT have access to ALL of your case info.,and if you haven’t set up the new ID account nothing will get resolved.