Can I file for NY unemployment while working part time and earning less than max benefit?

Yes, you can absolutely file for partial unemployment in NY. If you make less than your benefit rate, you can get partial benefits. I was in your situation last summer - working 3 days a week but making way under the max benefit. Just be super careful reporting your income correctly each week or you'll have a massive headache later.

After trying for weeks to get someone on the phone with NY unemployment, I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback with a real agent. Totally worth it - the agent walked me through the partial benefits process and fixed my pending payments. Talking to an agent got my money coming in again within days! Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I'd recommend filing online first. Much easier than phone. But be prepared to call if you get the dreaded "pending" status. For part time work you need to report accurately - both hours and dollars. And yes, you can absolutely get partial benefits if you're earning less than your benefit rate!

Be careful with this! I worked part time last year and collected partial benefits. Make SURE you are accurate with your weekly certification! I messed up once (reported net instead of gross) and they stopped all my payments for 2 months while they "investigated" 🤦‍♂️

The system is based on DAYS worked not just income! This is what messes people up with NY unemployment. Even if you make $5 in a day, that counts as a day worked! Max days is 4, at 4+ days you get nothing. Less than 4 days you get partial benefits.

Here's what you need to know about partial unemployment in NY (I went through this whole process): The amount you receive is based on days worked, not just income. Each day you work, regardless of hours, reduces your weekly benefit by 25%. Working 4+ days means no benefits that week. You absolutely CAN file a new claim while working part-time. Just be prepared for these issues: - The online system often gets confused by partial employment situations - When reporting work, use GROSS income before taxes - If your claim gets stuck in pending, you'll need to call (good luck with that) - Document EVERYTHING - hours, pay stubs, communications The best approach is to file online first, then if you hit issues (which is likely), try reaching an agent. After wasting weeks trying to call, I finally tried claimyr.com which got me a callback with an actual agent who fixed everything. Best decision I made during this whole nightmare. Keep in mind the base period for calculating benefits and make sure you qualify with your work history. Good luck!

word of advice: file online but expect to have to call. almost EVERYONE'S claim gets stuck in "pending" these days 🙄

anyone else notice how the ny unemployment system seems DESIGNED to be confusing af? like they don't want us to collect the benefits we're entitled to??

Quick tip: try to concentrate your work hours into just 2-3 days if possible. That way you'll qualify for more benefits than if you spread the same hours across 5 days. Ny unemployment system counts DAYS not hours which is so dumb.

I was on partial unemployment last year. You def qualify but that doesn't mean it'll be easy lol. Took me 6 WEEKS to get my first payment. Keep certifying every week even if you don't see payments right away.

In my experience, applying online is way better than calling. The phone system is a nightmare. I waited on hold for almost 3 hours last month only to get disconnected right when someone picked up. Wanted to throw my phone across the room 😤

Make sure you check if you're still in your benefit year from any previous claim. If not, you'll need to file a new claim. If you are still in that year, you might just need to start certifying again. The website doesn't explain this well at all.

One thing no one mentioned: if you make over a certain amount in a quarter, your benefit rate can actually go UP when you file a new claim. Happened to me - my part time job actually paid better than my old full time job (per hour) and my benefit rate increased by $78/week when I filed my new claim.

I'm in the exact same boat! Part time making about $420 a week. Been on partial unemployment since November. The key is the days - if you work 4 days or more, you get nothing that week even if you make $1.