Can you get unemployment benefits in NY - confused about NYS Department of Labor eligibility
I'm really confused about whether I can actually get unemployment benefits or not. I worked at a restaurant for about 8 months before they cut my hours down to almost nothing last month. Now I'm only getting maybe 10 hours a week and can barely pay my bills. A friend told me I might be able to file for unemployment even though I'm still technically employed, but I have no idea if that's true or how any of this works. Can someone explain if you can get unemployment when you're still working but with reduced hours? I've never dealt with NYS Department of Labor before and their website is really confusing.
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StarGazer101
Yes, you can potentially qualify for partial unemployment benefits in New York! If your hours were significantly reduced through no fault of your own, you may be eligible. NYS Department of Labor allows people to collect partial UI benefits when they're working reduced hours. You'll need to file a claim and report your weekly earnings, and they'll calculate a partial benefit amount. The key is that the hour reduction wasn't your choice and you're available for full-time work.
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Yara Nassar
•Oh wow, I had no idea that was even possible! So I can file even though I'm still working some hours? Do I need to prove that the restaurant cut my hours and it wasn't my request?
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Keisha Jackson
You definitely need to file your initial claim online through the NYS Department of Labor website. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready. When you file your weekly claims, you'll report exactly how much you earned that week. If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you'll get a partial payment. Just be honest about all your earnings - they cross-check with employers.
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Paolo Romano
•This is so helpful! I was in a similar situation last year and got partial benefits for 3 months until I found a better job.
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Amina Diop
ugh the whole system is such a pain though. I tried calling NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about partial benefits and spent literally 2 hours on hold before getting disconnected. their phone system is THE WORST
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Oliver Schmidt
•I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor! Super frustrating when you just need a quick answer. I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to unemployment agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting nowhere.
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Natasha Volkov
wait so if you work part time you can still get unemployment?? I thought you had to be completely unemployed to get benefits. this changes everything for me because my job cut everyone to 20 hours a week
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StarGazer101
•Yes! Partial unemployment is a real thing in NY. As long as you're earning less than your full weekly benefit amount and the hour reduction wasn't voluntary, you can get partial payments to help make up the difference.
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