Governor Hochul and Labor Leaders Announce Maximum Weekly Benefit Increase for Unemployed Workers

Governor Kathy Hochul and labor leaders on Wednesday announced the maximum weekly unemployment insurance (UI) benefit increase for unemployed workers across the state. As part of the Governor’s FY26 Enacted Budget, the State invested nearly $7 billion to pay off the federal UI Trust Fund loan, and bring the fund to solvency and increase the maximum weekly benefit from $504 to $869. The increase in UI benefits comes at the same time as the GOP federal shutdown impacts 115,000 federal employees in New York, leaving them without paychecks.

“Donald Trump and Washington Republicans’ agenda is a direct attack on hardworking New Yorkers, with reckless trade wars causing skyrocketing prices, and now their decision to shutdown the federal government has left thousands of New Yorkers unemployed and unsupported,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s a stark contrast to everything we’re doing here in New York. With the weekly maximum benefits increasing starting this month, we are able to uplift unemployed New Yorkers, including those that Republicans in Washington have failed, while cutting costs to businesses.” Read more and watch video from Wednesday's press conference here.