Many New Yorkers Will See Increase In Unemployment Benefits

Some New Yorkers receiving unemployment benefits may have noticed a pretty significant increase in their benefit amount these past few days. As a response to inflation and rising costs, a more than $300 increase went into effect on October 6th across the state, and have started going out to residents this week.

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New Unemployment Insurance Benefit Rate For New Yorkers

For the first time since 2019, New Yorkers are seeing an increase in unemployment benefits. The previous maximum unemployment insurance benefit for New Yorkers was $504, but as of October 6, 2025, that number has increased significantly. As a result of rising costs and inflation rates, many New Yorkers will now receive the maximum benefit of $869 per week in issued payments beginning this week (October 13th).

The amount that New Yorkers can expect to receive is still based on their previous income, but that new maximum rate of $869 is surely a welcome increase to manage everyday costs. According to ny.gov,

Over a quarter of customers (27%) will receive the new maximum, and over a quarter of additional customers (28%) will see their weekly payments increase. Customers do not need to take any action to receive the increase. The rate will be automatically recalculated based on the customer’s previously reported gross earnings.

 

NY.gov has even provided an unemployment insurance calculator for New Yorkers to check their benefit amounts.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) In New York State

Ahead of the increase on October 6th, Governor Hochul's Office announced that part of the Governor's FY26 Enacted Budget, New York invested nearly $7 billion to pay off the 'federal UI Trust Fund loan' to bring the fund to solvency and increase the maximum weekly benefit from $504 to $869.

The 'federal UI Trust Fund loan' payoff also benefits business owners in the state, whose unemployment contributions were impacted as the loan debt was being paid down. Now that it has been paid:

 Employers will no longer receive annual Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) bills and are projected to save an average of $100 per employee in 2026 and $250 in 2027.

A full transcript and additional information from the Governor's announcement about the loan and UI increase can be found here.