How does partial unemployment work with NYS Department of Labor - confused about earnings limits

Yes, you can definitely get partial unemployment benefits! With NYS Department of Labor, you can work part-time and still collect as long as you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount plus $50. So if your weekly benefit amount is say $400, you could earn up to $450 and still get some benefits. The formula is they subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount, but you get to keep the first $50 without any reduction. You do need to file your weekly claims and report all earnings.

The job search requirement is different for partial unemployment. You still need to be able and available for work, but since you're already working part-time, NYS Department of Labor usually doesn't require you to do the full 3 job contacts per week. You just need to be looking for additional work or more hours. Make sure you indicate on your weekly claim that you're working part-time and report your exact gross earnings for each week.

I went through this exact situation last year! The key thing is to be super accurate with your earnings reporting because NYS Department of Labor will cross-check with your employer. I was getting about $200/week in partial benefits while working 20 hours. Just make sure you understand that if you get more hours one week and earn too much, you might not get any UI benefits for that week, but you can still claim the following week if your hours drop again.

just apply and see what happens, they'll tell you if you qualify or not. the worst they can say is no and then you're in the same boat as now

The whole partial unemployment system is ridiculous if you ask me. They make it so complicated with all these earnings calculations and job search requirements. Half the time the online system doesn't even work properly and you can't get through to anyone on the phone. But yes, technically you can get benefits if your hours are reduced, just be prepared for a lot of bureaucratic nonsense.

I just went through the partial unemployment application process with NYS Department of Labor a few months ago when my retail hours got cut. Here's what I learned: You apply the same way as regular unemployment, but when you file your weekly claims you'll report your part-time earnings. The system automatically calculates your partial benefit. One thing that confused me at first - you report your gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid. So if you worked Monday-Friday but didn't get your paycheck until the following week, you still report those earnings for the week you worked. Also keep all your pay stubs because they may ask for documentation later. The online system at my.ny.gov can be glitchy but it's usually better than trying to call. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation - my hours got reduced at my restaurant job and I'm trying to figure out the partial unemployment process. From what I've gathered reading through these comments, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Apply for regular unemployment first to establish your weekly benefit amount, 2) Report your part-time earnings accurately each week when you file claims, 3) You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $50 before losing all benefits, and 4) The job search requirements are more relaxed since you're already working. @Omar Farouk thanks for the tip about reporting earnings for the week worked vs. when paid - that's exactly the kind of detail that would trip me up! Has anyone here had experience with how long the initial application process takes for partial benefits compared to regular unemployment?