How much can you work on unemployment benefits without losing NYS Department of Labor eligibility?
I just started collecting unemployment and got offered some part-time work at a local retail store. I want to take it but I'm terrified of messing up my benefits. Does anyone know exactly how much you can work while on unemployment in NY? I've heard different things from people - some say any work disqualifies you, others say you can work a little bit. My weekly benefit amount is $365 if that matters. I really need the income but can't afford to lose my unemployment completely.
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Zara Ahmed
You can definitely work part-time while collecting unemployment in NY! The rule is you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit rate without any reduction. In your case, that's about $91 per week. Anything above that gets deducted dollar-for-dollar from your benefits. Just make sure you report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claim - even if it's just $20, report it.
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Sean O'Donnell
•Thank you! So if I earn $150 in a week, they'd subtract $59 from my $365 benefit? That still leaves me with more money overall which is great.
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Luca Esposito
wait i thought you couldnt work at all on unemployment?? ive been turning down shifts because i was scared
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Zara Ahmed
•No, that's a common misconception! NYS Department of Labor actually encourages part-time work while you're looking for full-time employment. You just have to report it properly.
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Nia Thompson
Been doing part-time work my whole unemployment claim. The key is being honest on your weekly certification. When it asks about work and earnings, report everything. I usually work about 15-20 hours a week at $15/hour and still get most of my benefits. The NYS Department of Labor system calculates it automatically once you enter your earnings.
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Mateo Rodriguez
•Do you have to report tips too if you're working restaurant work? I might pick up some serving shifts but tips are so unpredictable.
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Nia Thompson
•Yes, you have to report all income including tips. I know it sucks but they're pretty strict about that stuff.
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GalaxyGuardian
I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask this exact question but their phone lines are impossible. Tried calling at 8am sharp and still couldn't get through. It's so frustrating when you need a simple answer about work rules. Finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much stress trying to figure this out on my own.
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Aisha Abdullah
•Never heard of that service but honestly anything that helps you actually talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor sounds worth it. Their customer service is horrible.
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Ethan Wilson
Just remember you still have to do your job search activities even if you're working part-time! I made that mistake and almost got in trouble during my eligibility review. Three job contacts per week unless you're in standby status.
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Sean O'Donnell
•Good point! I'm definitely still actively looking for full-time work. This part-time thing is just to help with bills until I find something permanent.
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