Can my friend get NY unemployment for reduced hours? Currently at 36.5 hrs but hours being cut

Yes, reduced hours can qualify for partial unemployment in NY. I had my hours cut from 40 to 25 last year and got partial benefits. The system calculates based on how many days you work, not hours specifically. If he works less than 4 days AND earns $504 or less, he might qualify for something. Definitely worth applying if his hours drop significantly.

After spending literal weeks trying to reach someone at ny unemployment, I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me a callback with an actual agent! Talking to a real person got my partial unemployment approved in like 20 minutes after weeks of getting nowhere. Best decision I made after my hours were cut - would've lost my apartment otherwise. Check out this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Here in NY, partial unemployment is calculated based on days worked, not hours. It's a bit confusing but works like this: If your friend works: - 0 days: full unemployment benefit - 1 day: 75% of full benefit - 2 days: 50% of full benefit - 3 days: 25% of full benefit - 4+ days OR earnings over $504: no benefit So if his hours are cut but he's still working 5 days just fewer hours each day, he won't qualify. But if they cut his schedule to 3-4 days a week, he might. Telling your friend to apply through ny.gov/unemployment the moment his hours are reduced. The system will calculate what he's eligible for. Also, make sure he documents the reduction - have him get something in writing from his employer about the schedule change. If he has trouble getting through on the phone (which is VERY likely), I've had success using claimyr.com to connect with agents. It was the only way I got my claim sorted after waiting for weeks.

I'm in the same boat - had my hours cut from 38 to 22 last month. The key is the number of days worked, not hours. If ur working 4 or more days, even if its just 1 hour each day, you get zero benefits in NY. Makes no sense but thats how it works 🤷‍♀️

your friend should talk to his manager about consolidating his hours into 3 days if possible. I had a similar situation and worked 12 hr shifts 3 days a week, which let me claim partial unemployment for the other 4 days. Helped me stay afloat until things picked back up.

the ny unemployment system is a disaster rn just warning ur friend. took me 8 weeks to get my partial benefits after hours got cut. website kept crashing and phone lines busy 24/7

Fun fact: NY is one of the only states that calculates UI based on days not hours worked. Its so stupid bc someone working 7 hours a week (1 hr per day) gets NOTHING while someone working 24 hours (3 days, 8 hrs each) gets something.

tell your friend to document EVERYTHING about his hours being cut. emails, texts, written schedules, everything. NY unemployment loves to deny claims when theres not enough evidence. I learned this the hard way.

also make sure ur friend knows that he has to certify every single week even with reduced hours. I missed one week and lost that weeks benefits completely. The system is designed to trip people up i swear.

i was in this exact situation in february. Had my 35 hour week cut to 20. Took forever to get through to anyone and my application got "pending" for 2 months. Finally used claimyr.com to get an agent on the phone who fixed it in 10 minutes. Can't believe how broken the system is.

Another option is to look into Shared Work program if his employer is willing. Basically lets employers reduce hours for a group of employees while unemployment supplements their lost wages. Win-win because company saves $ and employees don't lose income. Not many employers know about it though.

why tf does NY base it on days and not hours??? I worked one hour each day (five days) at my restaurant job during slow season and got ZERO benefits while my coworker did 3 full shifts and got partial unemployment. system is broken af

IMPORTANT: If your friend applies, tell him to be 100% honest about any days/hours worked when certifying weekly. Even small mistakes can lead to fraud charges and having to pay everything back with penalties. Seen it happen to a couple people I know.

One thing no one mentioned - if his company gives him an official letter/email stating his hours are being reduced due to lack of work or business needs, that will help his claim IMMENSELY. UI dept is much less likely to deny or delay claims with official documentation.