Do you need to be fired to collect unemployment benefits in NYS?
I'm confused about NYS Department of Labor eligibility requirements. My boss has been cutting my hours from 40 to maybe 15 per week and I'm barely making rent. A coworker told me I need to get fired to qualify for unemployment but that doesn't sound right? Can I apply if I quit because of the hour reduction or do I really need to wait to be terminated? I've been working at this retail job for 2 years and never filed for UI before.
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Liam Cortez
You don't need to be fired! NYS Department of Labor recognizes several qualifying situations. If your hours were reduced significantly without your agreement, that can qualify as 'constructive discharge' or you might be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. You can also quit for 'good cause' like unsafe working conditions, harassment, or substantial changes to your job terms. The key is documenting why you left.
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Kiara Fisherman
•That's really helpful! So the hour reduction from 40 to 15 might count? Should I document the schedule changes somehow before I do anything?
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Savannah Vin
been there!! I quit my job last year because they kept changing my schedule with no notice and I still got approved for benefits. just make sure you have evidence of the problems
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Mason Stone
Actually, with a 62% reduction in hours, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits while still working those 15 hours. NYS Department of Labor allows this when your earnings fall below a certain threshold. You should file a claim and report your reduced hours - don't quit yet. The partial benefits could help bridge the gap while you look for additional work or a new job.
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Kiara Fisherman
•Wait, I can collect unemployment while still working part-time? I had no idea that was possible!
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Liam Cortez
•Yes! As long as you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount, you can get partial benefits. Just make sure to report all hours worked when filing your weekly claims.
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Makayla Shoemaker
Ugh the whole system is so complicated! I tried calling NYS Department of Labor like 50 times last month and could never get through to ask about my situation. The website doesn't explain these partial benefit things clearly at all.
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Christian Bierman
•I had the same problem with phone calls until someone told me about claimyr.com - it's a service that calls for you and gets you connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. I was skeptical but tried it and actually got through in like 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Emma Olsen
My friend got unemployment when she quit because her boss was sexually harassing her. She had to prove it was for good cause but NYS Department of Labor approved her claim. Document everything if you decide to quit - emails, texts, schedule changes, anything that shows the working conditions became unreasonable.
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Lucas Lindsey
Same thing happened to me except they cut me from full time to like 12 hours. I didn't know about partial benefits so I just suffered through it for months being broke all the time. wish someone had told me sooner!
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Shelby Bauman
•That's exactly what I'm worried about - suffering through being broke when there might be help available! Did you ever end up applying for benefits later or did you just tough it out? I'm trying to figure out if I should apply for partial benefits now while still working the reduced hours or wait and see if things get better.
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