Can I file a new NY unemployment claim while working part-time under $504 weekly?

Yes, you can absolutely file for partial unemployment in NY if you're working but earning less than $504 weekly. This is actually pretty common! When you certify each week, you'll report the days you worked (even partial days count as full days) and the system calculates your partial benefit. For every day you work, your weekly benefit amount is reduced by 25%. I'd recommend filing online first - it's much faster than calling. The NYSDOL website has improved a lot in 2025. Just be 100% honest about your work hours when you certify weekly.

ive been on partial unemployment while working part time for like 3 months now. just make sure u report EXACTLY how many days u worked each week when u certify. if u work even 1 hour in a day it counts as a whole day worked. they dont care about the actual hours just the days

I tried doing the online application for this exact situation last month and the system kept glitching out on me!!! Had to call like 40 times to finally get through. When you get to the question about "Are you currently working?" make sure to answer YES otherwise they might consider it fraud later even though you're eligible for partial benefits. Be super careful with how you answer everything!!!!

To directly answer your question: Yes, you can file a claim while working part-time. NYS unemployment allows for partial benefits when you work less than 4 days per week AND earn less than $504 in gross wages. Here's how it works in 2025: - If you work 1 day: you get 75% of your full benefit rate - If you work 2 days: you get 50% of your full benefit rate - If you work 3 days: you get 25% of your full benefit rate - If you work 4 days OR earn over $504: you get $0 for that week File online first at labor.ny.gov. The system will ask about your current employment status. Be precise about your work hours and wages. After your claim is established, you'll certify weekly and report the exact days worked. If you need to call, the best number is still 1-888-209-8124, but expect long wait times especially on Mondays and Tuesdays.

the online system is HORRIBLE for partial benefits!! I applied last week and it kept asking me weird questions about why I was applying while employed. Then it said I was denied but when I called they said that was an error and I actually was approved?! No idea what's going on with their system but definitely CALL if the website gives you any problems

To clarify some confusion in this thread: Yes, you still need to meet the basic eligibility requirements to open a new claim. In NY, you need to have worked and earned a certain amount during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing). And to answer the question about work search: if you're working part-time but collecting partial benefits, you DO still need to do and document at least 3 work search activities per week. Even though you're working, the system requires this as you're still receiving benefits. Your part-time job doesn't count toward these activities. Keep a detailed log of your work search activities - the DOL has been conducting more audits in 2025.

Just wanted to add that when you file online, make sure you have all your employment information ready - including your part-time employer's details, your exact start date, and your average weekly earnings. The system will ask for this upfront. Also, one tip that helped me: when you get to the weekly certification, always certify on the same day each week (like every Sunday) so you don't accidentally miss a week. Missing even one certification can mess up your whole claim and you'll have to call to fix it. The partial benefits really do help bridge the gap while you're looking for full-time work. Good luck with your application!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! You definitely can file for partial unemployment benefits while working part-time under $504/week. The key thing is being completely honest about your work schedule when you apply and when you certify each week. A few things that really helped me: - Apply online first thing Monday morning if possible - the system seems to work better then - Have your Social Security card and driver's license ready for the application - Know your exact gross earnings from your part-time job for each week you've worked so far - When it asks "Are you currently working?" answer YES - this won't disqualify you, it just puts you in the partial benefits category The partial benefits calculation is pretty straightforward once you understand it. Just remember that any day you work (even 1 hour) counts as a full work day for benefit purposes. So if you work Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, that's 3 work days and you'd get 25% of your full benefit amount. The work search requirement still applies even though you're working part-time, so start keeping track of your job search activities from day one. Good luck!

I just went through this process myself a few weeks ago and wanted to share what worked for me. Yes, you can absolutely file for partial unemployment while working part-time under $504/week - it's actually pretty common in NY. Here's what I learned that might help you: **Application Tips:** - File online at labor.ny.gov - despite what some people say about glitches, I found it worked fine if you have all your info ready first - Answer "YES" when asked if you're currently working - this won't hurt your eligibility - Have your part-time employer's basic info ready (name, address, phone, your start date) - Know your weekly gross wages from the part-time job **How Partial Benefits Work:** The system reduces your weekly benefit by 25% for each day you work. So if your full benefit would be $400/week: - Work 1 day = get $300 (75%) - Work 2 days = get $200 (50%) - Work 3 days = get $100 (25%) - Work 4+ days = get $0 **Weekly Certification:** When you certify each week, report the exact number of DAYS you worked (not hours). Even if you only work 2 hours on Tuesday, that counts as 1 full work day. **Work Search Requirement:** You still need to do 3 work search activities per week even though you're working part-time. Job applications, networking events, and career fairs all count. The online system worked smoothly for me once I had everything prepared. Good luck with your application!

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!