How do I apply for partial unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor?
My hours at work got cut down to just 2 days a week and I'm struggling to pay my bills. I heard I might be able to get partial unemployment benefits but I'm not sure how to apply for partial unemployment or if I even qualify. Do I use the same application as regular unemployment? I'm still employed technically but only making about $200 a week now when I used to make $600. Can someone walk me through the process?
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AstroAdventurer
Yes, you can definitely apply for partial unemployment benefits in NY! You use the same application process through my.ny.gov that you would for regular unemployment. The key is that your reduced hours have to be due to lack of work, not your choice. When you file your weekly claims, you'll report the days you worked and your gross earnings. NYS Department of Labor will calculate your partial benefit amount based on your reduced earnings.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•That's really helpful! So I don't need to file a separate application? I just apply like normal and report my part-time work each week?
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Javier Mendoza
Make sure you understand the benefit calculation before you apply. They take your weekly benefit rate and subtract 25% of your gross earnings for that week. So if your weekly benefit would be $300 and you earn $200, you'd get $300 - (25% of $200) = $250 in partial benefits. It's not dollar for dollar but it definitely helps bridge the gap.
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Emma Wilson
•Wait, I thought it was different than that? I've been getting partial and my calculation seems off from what you described.
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Javier Mendoza
•The exact calculation can vary based on your benefit year and when you filed. There's also a minimum earnings threshold before they start reducing benefits. Best to check your benefit determination letter for your specific calculation.
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Malik Davis
ugh the whole process is so confusing!! i tried calling NYS Department of Labor like 20 times to ask about this and keep getting hung up on. how is anyone supposed to figure this out without being able to talk to someone???
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Isabella Santos
•I had the same problem trying to reach them! I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I was able to talk to someone within a few hours instead of calling for days. Really helped me understand my partial benefit calculation.
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Ravi Gupta
Just remember you still have to do job search activities even with partial unemployment. A lot of people don't realize that. You need to keep looking for full-time work and log your job contacts just like regular UI claimants.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Good point! Do I need to search for 3 jobs per week like regular unemployment or is it different for partial?
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Ravi Gupta
•Same requirements - 3 job search activities per week unless you're in a union with a callback date. Your employer reducing your hours doesn't change the job search requirement.
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GalacticGuru
been there done that with partial benefits last year when covid hit my restaurant job. honestly saved my butt financially. just be super careful about reporting your earnings accurately each week or you'll end up with an overpayment mess to deal with later
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Miguel Alvarez
@Natasha Kuznetsova - I went through this exact situation last year when my retail hours got slashed. The application process is straightforward through my.ny.gov, but here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: when you certify weekly, be 100% accurate about your work days and earnings. Even small mistakes can trigger overpayment issues later. Also, keep detailed records of everything - your work schedule, pay stubs, and all correspondence with DOL. The partial benefits really do help bridge that income gap while you're looking for additional work or waiting for your hours to pick back up. You've got this!
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Luca Marino
•@Miguel Alvarez Thanks for the detailed advice! This is exactly what I needed to hear from someone who s'been through it. I m'definitely going to start keeping better records of everything - I hadn t'thought about how important documentation would be. Quick question though - when you say be "100% accurate about work days and earnings, do" you mean I should report gross earnings before taxes or net earnings after deductions? I want to make sure I don t'mess this up from the start.
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