direct deposit takes longer to setup than they tell u. first payment always goes to the old method no matter what 💅

Had the exact same issue last month! My payment showed "paid" with release date but took 6 business days to actually hit my account. Turns out there was some kind of processing delay on the bank's end. I'd give it until next week before panicking - the money is probably just stuck in the system somewhere. If nothing by Wednesday definitely call them!

I went through something similar when I was laid off from my main job but still had a small freelance gig ending around the same time. Definitely file just one claim and include both employers - the system is designed to handle multiple work histories. When you get to the work history section, you'll see fields for multiple employers where you can enter dates, wages, and separation reasons for each. The NYS DOL will use whichever quarters give you the highest benefit calculation, so having both jobs reported actually works in your favor. Just keep all your documentation handy (W-2s, pay stubs, etc.) in case they need verification.

I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now! I was let go from my main office job in January but also had a small tutoring gig that ended around the same time. From what I've learned through the process, you definitely need to file just one claim and report both employers in the work history section. The NYS DOL website has a pretty clear step-by-step guide that walks you through adding multiple employers. One thing that helped me was gathering all my employment documents beforehand - pay stubs, W-2s, and exact employment dates for both jobs. The seasonal aspect of your weekend job shouldn't complicate things too much, just make sure to note that when you're filling out the reason for separation. Good luck with your claim!

definitely not public record but honestly the whole system feels so invasive anyway with all the job search requirements and verification stuff they make you do

Just wanted to add that I work in HR and can confirm - we absolutely cannot access unemployment records during background checks or hiring processes. The only time we'd know is if an applicant voluntarily mentions it or if we're the company that laid them off originally. Your unemployment history is protected information, so don't let privacy concerns prevent you from getting benefits you're entitled to. The stigma around unemployment is outdated anyway - most employers understand that layoffs happen and it doesn't reflect poorly on you as a candidate.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year and successfully got partial unemployment benefits while working part-time! The process was actually smoother than I expected once I understood how it works. A few key things that helped me: - Don't be intimidated by the "currently working" question - answering YES is correct and won't disqualify you - Keep detailed records from day one - write down exactly which days you work each week (not hours, just days) - Your part-time wages can vary week to week as long as you stay under $504 and work less than 4 days - The online system will calculate your partial benefit automatically once you report your work days One thing I wish someone had told me: if you work an irregular schedule (like some weeks 2 days, some weeks 3 days), your benefit amount will change accordingly each week. This is totally normal and expected with partial benefits. The work search requirement was actually easier to meet than I thought - online job applications count, and since you're already motivated to find more work, it becomes part of your routine pretty quickly. I'd definitely recommend starting with the online application. Even if you hit a snag, you'll have most of your information entered and can reference it when calling. The whole process took me about 20 minutes online once I had my documents ready. You've got this! Partial benefits really help bridge that gap while you're building toward full-time employment.

I'm in a very similar situation and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been working part-time for about a month now, usually 2-3 days per week, and my weekly earnings are consistently under $400. Reading everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to finally apply for partial benefits. A couple of questions for those who've been through this process: 1. When you first apply online, does the system immediately tell you if you're approved for partial benefits, or do you have to wait for some kind of determination letter? 2. For the work search activities - do online job applications through sites like Indeed and LinkedIn count toward the 3 weekly requirements, or do they prefer more traditional methods? I'm planning to apply this weekend after I gather all my employment documents. It sounds like being completely transparent about working part-time is key, which honestly makes me feel better about the whole process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for navigating these confusing government systems!

This is such a valuable thread! I've been working part-time (about 25 hours/week) for the past month and was also confused about this exact question. Following everyone's advice, I've been answering "No" to returning to work and then reporting my hours and earnings accurately. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you report earnings for the week you WORKED, not the week you got paid. I made that mistake my first week and it threw off my benefit calculation. Also, if anyone is wondering about the timing - I usually get my reduced benefit payment 2-3 days after certifying, same as when I was getting full benefits. The system seems to process partial benefits just as quickly as regular claims. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here, especially the detailed breakdown of the 4-day rule and earnings limits!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in the exact same boat - just started a part-time retail job (22 hours/week) and was completely confused about the certification process. The way everyone explained the difference between "returning to work" (full-time) vs "working during the week" (part-time) finally makes it click. I've been stressing about this for two weeks! One additional tip I discovered - if you're unsure about any of your previous certifications, you can actually view your certification history in your NY.gov account under "View Payment History." It shows exactly how you answered each question and what earnings you reported. This helped me double-check that I'd been doing it correctly. Also, for anyone else who might be starting part-time work soon, I found it helpful to call your new employer ahead of time to understand exactly when and how they report your hours - some places are better than others at providing clear paystubs that show your gross earnings before deductions. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences here - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's impossible to find on the official NYSDOL website!