The NYS unemployment system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure out the same thing and everyone gives different answers. Some people told me there are federal programs that pay more but I can't find any info about that on the my.ny.gov website.

Just to add - make sure you apply as soon as possible! Your benefit amount is locked in based on when you file, and there's no going back to get a higher rate later even if you find out you qualified for more. I learned this the hard way.

For your economics class, remember that frictional unemployment is actually considered positive because it indicates a dynamic labor market where people can move between jobs. It's different from structural unemployment (skills mismatch) or cyclical unemployment (due to economic downturns).

wait so if someone gets laid off vs quits that changes the unemployment type? im so confused about all these categories

I had trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status. Kept getting busy signals and the callback system never worked. A friend told me about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be useful if you run into issues and need to speak with someone directly about your application.

Also make sure you understand the job search requirements from day one. You'll need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of everything. Don't wait until your first weekly claim to figure this out - start job searching immediately even while your claim is processing.

don't forget that unemployed people still spend money which generates sales tax revenue, it's not like the government loses ALL tax income from unemployed people

Good point about sales taxes, though the spending patterns change significantly. People on unemployment typically reduce discretionary spending, which affects overall economic activity and tax generation. It's a cascading effect that goes beyond just the direct loss of income taxes.

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing with these calculations. They sent me a monetary determination letter but the math still doesn't add up even after reading it 5 times. Why can't they just explain it in plain English?

One thing people miss is that if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might be able to combine wages for a higher benefit amount. NYS Department of Labor has interstate agreements for this but you have to specifically request it.