NY S09384

Calculates a claimant's average weekly wage by dividing highest quarter earnings by 13 (instead of 26), or averaging the two highest quarters divided by 13 for those with only 2-3 quarters of work history

Establishes a tiered benefit structure: claimants earning 0-50% of state average weekly wage receive 85% of their average weekly wage; those earning 51-100% receive 70%; those earning over 100% receive 50%

Removes the previous complex calculation system that provided different divisors (1/25 vs 1/26) based on specific high-quarter earnings thresholds ($3,575 and $4,000)

Eliminates the $143 minimum weekly benefit floor that previously applied to certain claimants while maintaining existing maximum benefit caps that rise to 50% of average weekly wage by October 2026

Takes effect immediately upon enactment