Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Unemployment Claims With Our Guide

We Provide a Free Guide

Our FREE guide provides helpful information about how to apply for benefits. Learn more about us here.

Clear & Simple
Information
Free and easy
guide
Personalized
Offers
Get the Guide

Unemployment insurance eligibility in New York is based on a number of different requirements. Qualifications for unemployment must be met by all former employees in order to receive unemployment insurance within the state.

Residents who are interested in applying to receive unemployment benefits must file a claim through the New York State Department of Labor. In the event that you were let go of your former workplace due to reasons that were no fault of your own, you may still meet unemployment insurance eligibility in New York.

Eligibility for EDD depends on certain additional criteria for all unemployment claimants. Insurance for unemployment is funded by employers’ tax payments across the United States. In New York, the amount of unemployment benefits a former employee can receive is based on how much they earn during what is referred to as a base period or an alternative base period.

Unemployed weekly benefits are calculated by dividing residents’ earnings from their highest-paid quarter by 26, with $504 being the maximum amount of benefits per week. The NYSDOL also provides residents who meet the qualifications for unemployment with job search tools for new employment opportunities while receiving unemployment coverage.

We have compiled helpful information, hints, and tips about qualifying for unemployment benefits in New York on this website and FAQs and our free guide. Read more below to learn about who can qualify for unemployment in New York.

Who can get unemployment benefits in New York?

New York qualifications for unemployment coverage are based on the amount of income a former employee has earned during the base period, which represents one year of work and wages prior to filing an unemployment claim.

In New York, two types of base periods exist. The basic base period is the last first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filling out an unemployment insurance application. If you meet the minimum wage criteria in the first four quarters, then the basic base period will be the only one used to calculate your unemployment benefit payments.

For those who meet eligibility for EDD but do not have enough base period wages to qualify, then the alternate base period is used to calculate aid amounts. The alternate base period is the last four of the first five completed calendar quarters before applying for unemployment coverage.

One year of work consists of four calendar quarters. Base period dates depend on when you file a claim to receive unemployment insurance. The following is an example of how the base period quarters are divided within a year:

  • 1st Quarter: January 1 – March 31
  • 2nd Quarter: April 1 – June 30
  • 3rd Quarter: July 1 – September 30
  • 4th Quarter: October 1 – December 31
  • 5th Quarter: January 1 – March 31

I applicants must meet three earning requirements and the below qualifications for unemployment in New York:

  • Former employees must have worked and been paid wages in at least two calendar quarters by companies who have unemployment insurance.
  • NY residents’ total wages paid must be at least 1.5 times the amount paid in their highest-paid quarter.

Note: If your highest-paid quarter wages were $11,088 or more, you must have been paid at least half of the total amount in the remaining three quarters of your base period.

What are the requirements to get unemployment benefits in New York?

Other than meeting the aforementioned qualifications for unemployment benefits in NY, you must also meet certain criteria to be awarded unemployment insurance within the state. New York former employees must be unemployed through no fault of their own in order to meet unemployment insurance eligibility requirements.

Other qualifying circumstances include being laid off due to objective business conditions. Residents who were let go by their employers due to misconduct or criminal charges will not meet eligibility for unemployment insurance. Also, if you quit your job voluntarily, you may be ineligible to receive unemployment coverage.

A claimant who qualifies for unemployment insurance must comply with additional requirements in order to be granted continuous unemployment benefits. New York residents must actively look for work during their unemployment period and submit proof of job search activity weekly.

Furthermore, unemployed citizens must be physically and mentally able to work. In the event that you are offered an employment position while you are receiving unemployment insurance, you must be able to accept it immediately and begin working.

If you meet New York unemployment insurance eligibility criteria, you can file a claim to receive benefits online or by contacting the NYSDOL at its toll-free number. Once your application has been reviewed, the NYSDOL will send you a Monetary Determination notice that will state whether or not you have met the qualifications for unemployment aid.

If your claim is approved, you must request to receive payments every week by submitting the required job search information either online or by phone.

Last Updated: February 28, 2023