Can someone get NY unemployment when hours are cut from 36.5 to part-time?

Yes, your friend can absolutely apply for partial unemployment in NY if his hours are reduced. It's called 'partial benefits' and it's specifically designed for situations like this. The key requirement is that he must work less than 4 days per week AND earn $600 or less gross pay in that week. Each day he works, regardless of how many hours, counts as one 'day' in the system. He should apply as soon as the reduction happens, and then certify weekly. The system will calculate his partial benefit based on how many days he works and how much he earns each week.

i was in the same boat last yr. u can get benefits but they go down for each day u work. its better if ur boss schedules u for 3-4 days instead of 5 shorter days

He should definitely apply! Just make sure he understands that in NY, it's all about DAYS worked, not hours. If he works 5 days at 4 hours each day, he gets ZERO unemployment that week. But if he works 3 days at 8 hours each, he'll get partial benefits. It's a weird system but that's how NY does it. Also, he needs to make sure his employer reports his reduced hours correctly. I've seen so many people have problems because their employer didn't process the reduction properly.

There's something else your friend should keep in mind - when he applies, the NY system is INFURIATING to deal with!!! I spent WEEKS trying to get through on the phone when my hours were cut last year. The website is confusing and if there's ANY issue with his application, good luck getting a human on the phone to fix it!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up in frustration.

I work for an employer that frequently reduces hours during slow periods. Here's what I recommend based on experience: 1. Your friend should apply online through the NYSDOL website as soon as his hours are reduced 2. During the application, he should indicate he is still employed but with reduced hours 3. For weekly certifications, he'll need to report EXACTLY how many days he worked and his gross earnings before deductions 4. The system uses a specific formula: for each day worked, his benefit is reduced by 25% 5. If he works 4 days but earns less than $600, he gets 25% of his benefit rate 6. If he works all 5 days OR earns more than $600, he gets no benefit for that week The maximum weekly benefit rate in NY for 2025 is $620, so depending on his previous earnings, he could receive up to that amount (minus the reductions for days worked).

WATCH OUT for the reporting requirements!!!! If your friend makes ANY mistakes reporting his work and earnings each week, they can hit him with an overpayment notice later and demand ALL the money back plus penalties!!! Happened to my roommate and it was a NIGHTMARE to resolve. Tell him to document EVERYTHING - hours, pay stubs, communications with his employer, EVERYTHING!!!

btw they might make him do a phone interview before approving, my employer tried saying i quit but i had to explain my hours were cut so much i couldn't afford to keep the job

One more thing your friend should know - if he's approved for partial benefits, he'll still need to show that he's available for and seeking full-time work. This is a requirement even for partial claims. He should keep records of any job search activities as NYSDOL may request proof of his job search efforts.

To clarify about the work search requirements for partial benefits: If your friend is still attached to his employer and the hour reduction is expected to be temporary, he may be able to get an exemption from the work search requirements. He should specifically ask about this during the application process or during any interviews with NYSDOL. The system will typically tell him what his specific requirements are once his claim is processed.