This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my hours at a retail store got cut from 32 to about 15 hours per week. Reading about the 25% earnings deduction formula really clarifies things - I was worried that working any hours would completely cancel out unemployment benefits. It sounds like it's definitely worth applying since I'm working less than 4 days now. One question though - if my schedule is inconsistent week to week (sometimes 12 hours, sometimes 20), do I just report whatever I actually earned that specific week when I file my weekly claim? And does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you need to have worked before the reduction to qualify for partial benefits?

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the waiting week requirement. In NY, you typically have to serve one unpaid waiting week before benefits start, but this applies to partial unemployment too. So even if you get approved quickly, your first week of benefits will be unpaid. Also, make sure you file your claim as soon as your hours get reduced - you can't backdate partial unemployment claims like you sometimes can with regular unemployment. I learned this the hard way when I waited a month thinking my hours might go back up. Lost out on several weeks of potential benefits because I didn't file right away when the reduction happened.

Good luck with your move! Buffalo is a nice city. At least unemployment stuff is one less thing to worry about during a relocation.

I went through something similar when I had to move from Syracuse to Long Island for family reasons while collecting unemployment. The process was actually pretty straightforward - you just need to update your address in the online system and make sure you're still actively job searching in your new area. One thing to keep in mind is that Buffalo might have different job opportunities than Rochester, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with the local job market before you move. Also, make sure all your contact information is current because sometimes they send important notices by mail. The move itself won't disrupt your benefits as long as you stay in New York and keep meeting all the requirements!

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare to navigate. I swear they make it confusing on purpose. At least staying in state should be straightforward - it's when you cross state lines that everything becomes a bureaucratic mess.

Just wanted to add that when you update your address, also make sure to check if there are any local American Job Centers or career services in Syracuse that you should register with. Sometimes they have additional resources or job fairs that could help with your search requirements. The transition should be smooth since you're staying in NY, but taking advantage of local resources in your new city could actually help you find work faster and get off unemployment sooner.

just a heads up - they might ask for proof of your substitute certification and stuff like that during the application process so have all your paperwork ready

I went through this exact situation last year as a substitute teacher in the Rochester area. The application process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood what they needed. You'll definitely want to list all the districts you worked for - I had to provide employer information for 8 different school districts. The wage verification took a few weeks since they had to contact each district separately, but my claim was approved. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of all the sub jobs I applied for during my claim period, including screenshots of online applications and emails. Also, don't forget that you can work part-time while on unemployment - so if you pick up occasional summer tutoring or camp work, just report those earnings when you certify each week.

I've been through the NY unemployment system twice (2023 and 2024) and learned the hard way about documentation. Here's my current system that's bulletproof: 1. **Weekly folder structure**: I create a new folder each week labeled "Week of [date]" with subfolders for applications, confirmations, and follow-ups. 2. **Real-time logging**: I fill out the WS5 form AS I apply, not at the end of the week. This prevents forgetting details. 3. **Activity diversification**: Monday = online applications, Wednesday = networking/LinkedIn outreach, Friday = skills development or job fair research. This ensures I hit different activity types. 4. **Screenshot everything**: Application confirmations, job posting pages, email receipts, even LinkedIn connection requests. If there's no confirmation page, I screenshot the "application submitted" message. 5. **Follow-up tracking**: I set calendar reminders to follow up on applications after 1 week, which counts as additional activity. The most important thing I learned: treat this like a part-time job. Spend 2-3 hours each day on legitimate job search activities and document EVERYTHING in real-time. It's way easier than trying to reconstruct weeks of activity later. Also, pro tip: the NY DOL considers informational interviews as networking activities. Reach out to people in your field for 15-minute coffee chats - it's great for job searching AND counts toward your requirements.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just finished setting up my documentation system based on everyone's advice. I'm using the WS5 form as my primary tracker and created a Google Drive folder with weekly subfolders like Seraphina suggested. One thing I learned from calling the DOL (finally got through after 2 hours on hold): they said keeping both digital AND physical copies is ideal in case of technical issues during submission. They also confirmed that volunteer work related to your field can count as a networking activity if you're making professional connections. For anyone still worried about past weeks - the agent told me they understand people don't always know the requirements upfront. They look more favorably on claimants who show they're making genuine efforts to find work, even if early documentation is incomplete. The key is being honest and proactive. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official resources are so hard to navigate!