Unemployment Benefits See Future Increase

Since 2020, the maximum benefit amount that an individual could receive when collecting Unemployment Insurance has been frozen at $504. With the recent passage of New York’s 2026 budget, the maximum benefit rate will increase to $869 starting October 2025. If you or a client needs to make an unemployment insurance appeal or is facing an overpayment, please call our Public Benefits Unit to see if you are eligible for help.

LSLI’s Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs that are administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:

• Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Child Care Assistance
• HEAP
• Emergency shelter for the homeless
• Unemployment insurance appeals and overpayments
• Other emergency assistance programs

We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families in obtaining rent supplements from DSS to enable families to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100 and Suffolk residents can call 631-232-2400.