I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my hours got cut from 28 to 12 hours a week at a grocery store. You absolutely can collect unemployment benefits as a part-time worker in New York! The biggest thing that helped me was understanding that it's based on your total earnings during the base period, not whether you were full-time or part-time. I'd recommend filing your claim as soon as possible since there can be a waiting period. Also, keep detailed records of your reduced hours and any communication from your employer about the cut - NYS Department of Labor may ask for documentation. The weekly benefit amount will obviously be lower than what a full-time worker would get, but every bit helps when you're dealing with reduced income. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying just because you weren't working full-time!

I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - part-time workers absolutely can collect unemployment benefits in New York! I was in a very similar situation last fall when my retail job cut my hours from 22 to 8 hours per week. The whole full-time vs part-time thing is a common misconception - what actually matters is meeting the base period wage requirements. Since you've been working 25 hours a week for 8 months, you should definitely have enough wage history to qualify. The NYS Department of Labor will look at your total earnings over the base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) to determine your eligibility and benefit amount. Make sure to apply online through my.ny.gov as soon as you can, and when you file your weekly claims, just report any part-time wages you earn honestly. The system is designed to help people in exactly your situation - reduced hours through no fault of your own. Don't let your manager's comment discourage you from applying!

This is such a relief to see that you got it resolved! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - missed certifying two weeks ago because I was in the hospital and just realized my claim shows "break in claim" status. Your experience gives me hope that I can get this fixed quickly too. Did the agent ask for any specific documentation about your illness, or was mentioning the doctor's visit enough? I have my hospital discharge papers if that would help my case.

I'm dealing with a break in claim situation too and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I missed certifying two weeks ago because I was caring for my sick elderly mother and completely forgot. Reading about everyone's experiences gives me hope that I can get this resolved. Does anyone know if caring for a family member during a medical emergency would qualify for backdating, or is it mainly just for your own medical issues? I have some documentation from her doctor visits if that would help. Planning to try calling tomorrow but wanted to see if anyone has been in a similar caregiving situation.

As a 10-month special education aide, I want to add some important points based on my experience filing last summer. First, don't assume you're automatically disqualified just because you have a contract - the "reasonable assurance" standard is more nuanced than many people realize. I had a signed contract but still qualified because my district was facing potential layoffs due to declining enrollment. Second, timing matters a lot. File your claim the week after your last paycheck, not when your contract technically ends. Third, gather EVERYTHING - your contract, any emails about budget concerns, documentation of when your pay stops, and if possible, a statement from HR about any uncertainties affecting your position. The adjudication process can take weeks, so apply early in your break. Also, don't be discouraged if you get an initial denial - many school employees win on appeal when they provide additional documentation about employment uncertainties. The system isn't perfect, but it's worth fighting for benefits you've paid into, especially when there are legitimate questions about your job security for the following year.

I'm a 10-month instructional aide who just went through this process this past summer and wanted to share what I learned. The most important thing I discovered is that you absolutely should apply regardless of having a contract - let NYS DOL make the determination, don't disqualify yourself. When I filed, I made sure to mention every possible uncertainty: our district was discussing class size changes, there were rumors about aide position consolidations, and funding for some programs wasn't 100% confirmed. Even though I had a signed contract, these uncertainties were enough for me to qualify. My advice: document EVERYTHING (save emails about budget discussions, get statements from supervisors about potential changes), file immediately after your last paycheck (not when your contract ends), and be very detailed in your application about any factors that could affect your position. The process took about a month, but it was worth it. Don't let the "reasonable assurance" rule discourage you from applying - it's more flexible than people think when there are legitimate employment uncertainties, even with a contract in place.

Just wanted to add that you should definitely file for unemployment benefits as soon as possible after your termination. NYS Department of Labor has a waiting period anyway, so there's no advantage to delaying. The key is maintaining your job search documentation since that's required for both your visa status and your weekly claim certifications.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my company had layoffs. The most important thing to understand is that the 60-day grace period and unemployment benefits are completely separate matters. I filed for NYS Department of Labor benefits immediately after my termination and it had zero impact on my H1B status. In fact, the unemployment benefits were crucial for covering my rent and expenses while I was job hunting. Just make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities - both for the weekly unemployment certifications and to show you're actively seeking new employment within your grace period. I found a new position on day 52, so cutting it close but it worked out. Don't let fear of immigration issues prevent you from getting the financial support you're entitled to.

I've been certifying for unemployment for about 4 months now and wanted to share what's worked consistently for me. I tried the midnight approach a few times but like others mentioned, it's really unpredictable - sometimes lightning fast, sometimes painfully slow. What I've settled on is Sunday around 6 AM. It's early enough that I still get paid by Tuesday most weeks, but late enough that I avoid the midnight rush and any potential overnight maintenance windows. The system is usually very responsive at that time. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're someone who tends to forget or procrastinate, set a phone alarm for your preferred certification time. I used to always tell myself "I'll do it later on Sunday" and then end up rushing to certify late Saturday night the following week. Having that alarm has been a game-changer for staying consistent with timing.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! As someone who just started collecting unemployment benefits last week, I was completely clueless about certification timing and strategy. Reading through all your real-world experiences and success rates has been incredibly educational. I love how this community actually shares practical, tested advice instead of just theoretical information. Based on everyone's input, I'm going to start with the Sunday 7-8 AM approach for reliability, and I've already set up a recurring phone alarm like Misterclamation suggested. It's reassuring to know there are backup strategies if I ever run into issues. Thanks for making what seemed like a confusing process much more manageable!