Just to add some actual numbers - in NY, employers pay UI tax on the first $12,000 of each employee's wages. The rates range from 0.6% to 7.2% depending on their experience rating (how many claims they've had). So yeah, they definitely have financial incentive to get you back on payroll even part time.

Thanks for all the detailed explanations everyone! This is super eye-opening. I had no idea there was this whole system behind unemployment where employers basically get "charged" for layoffs through higher tax rates. It definitely makes sense now why my old manager suddenly reached out about part-time work after months of nothing. I'm going to call unemployment tomorrow to ask about the partial benefits thing - sounds like I might be able to work some hours and still get reduced benefits which could actually work out better than just the $410/week. Really appreciate everyone breaking this down!

Good luck with your claim! I was in a similar situation with part-time work and it worked out fine. The key is just making sure you have all your employment information ready when you file.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your earnings history on the NYS Department of Labor website before applying. Log into your NY.gov account and look at your wage and tax statements - this will show you exactly what quarters and amounts they have on file for you. That way you can calculate beforehand whether you meet either the wage requirements or the 20-week/$260 average requirement. It's under "View Wage and Tax Information" in your online services account. This helped me figure out my eligibility before I even filed my claim.

You can absolutely still file! I was in almost the exact same situation - got laid off in June and didn't file until December because I kept thinking I'd land something soon. NYS DOL processed my claim without any issues. Just be prepared that they'll ask about the gap during your eligibility determination call, but having your layoff documentation showing budget cuts will help. The hardest part for me was accepting that I lost out on 6 months of benefits I could have been collecting while job searching. Don't make the same mistake I did - file today! The my.ny.gov portal is pretty straightforward to use.

I'm in a similar boat - got laid off in August and just now getting around to filing. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful! One thing I'm wondering about is whether I need to report any odd jobs or gig work I did during those months I wasn't filing? I did some freelance work here and there to make ends meet but nothing substantial. Should I mention that when I file or just focus on the main employment history from my regular job? Don't want to complicate things but also want to be honest about everything.

Don't forget you still need to do your job search activities even if you're working part-time. NYS Department of Labor requires three job contacts per week unless you're exempt.

I'm in a similar situation and just want to confirm - so the $504 weekly earnings limit that everyone is mentioning, that's the total amount you can earn before ANY deduction happens? So if I make $500 in a week, I still get my full unemployment benefit amount, but if I make $510, then $6 gets deducted from my weekly benefit? Also, does this apply to 1099 contractor work or just W-2 employment?

This whole waiting week thing is ridiculous if you ask me. People file for unemployment because they NEED money immediately, not because they want to wait around for a week without pay. Just another way the system makes things harder for people who are already struggling.

I totally understand the frustration with the waiting week - it does seem counterintuitive when you're already in a tough financial situation. From what I've learned, the waiting week is supposed to help manage the state's unemployment fund and ensure people are genuinely unemployed rather than just taking a brief break from work. It's been a requirement in NY for years, though I know some other states have eliminated theirs. The good news is that once you get through it, the benefits should flow more smoothly. Hang in there!