Can I file for unemployment if I have two jobs - NYS Department of Labor question

Yes, you can potentially file for unemployment benefits even with multiple jobs! This is called partial unemployment. Since your retail job reduced your hours significantly, you may qualify for benefits through NYS Department of Labor. You'll need to report all your earnings from both jobs when you file your weekly claims, but if your total weekly earnings are below a certain threshold, you can still receive partial UI benefits. The key is that you experienced a reduction in work and wages through no fault of your own.

been there done that... had 3 jobs at one point and lost 2 of them, still got unemployment for the lost wages. just make sure you report EVERYTHING when you do your weekly claims or they'll nail you for overpayment later

The formula is a bit complex, but basically NYS Department of Labor will look at your total earnings for the week and subtract a portion from your weekly benefit amount. You need to report gross earnings from all sources, including tips if you get them from delivery. As long as your reduced income meets their guidelines, you should qualify for some benefits. Make sure to file your claim using the employer that reduced your hours as the primary reason for filing.

omg same situation here!! my restaurant cut me from 30 hrs to 12 but i still work at a coffee shop too. been wondering about this for weeks

I tried calling NYS Department of Labor about this exact thing last month and could never get through to anyone. The phone system is absolutely terrible - kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for over an hour multiple times. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to real agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Cost me way less than the wages I was losing by not being able to file properly.

The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. Why should someone have to jump through hoops just to get help when their employer screws them over by cutting hours? And then they make it impossible to reach anyone by phone. At least online filing works most of the time now, unlike during the pandemic when everything crashed constantly.

wait so do i need to list both employers when i file or just the one that cut my hours??

Just wanted to add some practical advice - when you file your weekly claims, keep detailed records of your hours and earnings from both jobs. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything week by week. Also, if your delivery job pays through apps like DoorDash or Uber, make sure you're tracking those 1099 earnings carefully since they don't withhold taxes. The NYS Department of Labor will want accurate gross earnings reported, and having good records will save you headaches if they ever audit your claim.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Had a part-time office job that cut my hours from 30 to 10 per week, plus I was working weekends at a catering company. The NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty helpful once I got through to them. The key thing is that you're eligible for partial unemployment benefits because you had a "qualifying reduction in hours" - doesn't matter that you still have the other job. Just make sure when you file that you use the retail job (the one that cut your hours) as your primary employer for the claim. You'll still need to report all income from both jobs each week, but as long as your total weekly earnings are below your weekly benefit amount plus the $50 disregard, you'll get some benefits. With your current $180/week total, you should definitely qualify for something. Good luck!