NY unemployment system asking for employer info again after part-time work - need help filing
I started working part-time (10-15 hrs a week) and the first week filing my claim I just selected the option for hours worked. My benefit was reduced as expected. But now when trying to file this week, the system is saying 'because there was a break in work' I need to provide information about my latest employer and asking why I'm no longer working there. The thing is, I'm STILL working those 10-15 hours weekly at the same place! Has anyone run into this weird glitch in the NY unemployment system? I'm worried about answering incorrectly and messing up my benefits.
21 comments
Yuki Kobayashi
Omg this EXACT thing happened to me last month!! The stupid system sees any fluctuation in hours as a 'break' even when you're still at the same job. I entered my employer info again and for the 'why no longer working' I put 'STILL EMPLOYED PART TIME'. Then I called to make sure it was right and waited 3 HOURS only to be disconnected. 🤬
0 coins
AstroAce
•Thanks for letting me know it's not just me! Did your benefits continue normally after you did that? I'm so nervous about answering wrong and then having my claim flagged or something.
0 coins
Carmen Vega
This is a known issue with the NY unemployment system. When your reported hours change significantly between certification weeks, the system sometimes triggers the re-employment questionnaire even though you're working the same part-time job. Here's what you need to do: 1. Go ahead and enter your current employer information again 2. For the reason you're no longer working, select "Other" and type "Still employed part-time" 3. Make sure to accurately report your hours and earnings 4. In the comments section (if available), clarify that you've been continuously employed at reduced hours Your benefits should adjust accordingly without interruption. However, I'd recommend calling to confirm everything is correct.
0 coins
AstroAce
•Thank you! This is really helpful. I'll follow these steps. Do you know if this might delay my payment this week?
0 coins
Andre Rousseau
I went through this last summer. The system is incredibly confusing when you work part-time with varying hours. When this happened to me, I entered the employer info again, selected "Still Working" or "Other" (can't remember exactly) and explained I was still employed part-time. BUT, then my claim got put on hold for "review" for THREE WEEKS! So frustrating. I recommend calling them to explain the situation as soon as possible.
0 coins
AstroAce
•Oh no, I definitely can't afford to wait three weeks! I've been trying to call but keep getting the busy signal or it hangs up automatically.
0 coins
Zoe Stavros
I had luck using Claimyr.com to get through to an agent when I had a similar issue. You can watch how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. I was getting disconnected or waiting hours too, but with their service I got a callback from NYSDOL in about 30 minutes. The agent fixed my part-time work reporting issue right away and explained that the system sometimes interprets different hours as a status change. Totally worth it since I would've missed a payment otherwise.
0 coins
Jamal Harris
•does this actually work? sounds to good to be true tbh
0 coins
Zoe Stavros
•Yes, it actually worked for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying to call for 3 days straight. The callback came from the official NYSDOL number.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
i had this problem in jan, just put down ur still working part time & thats it. the system is buggy, my buddy who works for the dept says they know about it but no fix yet lol. if ur hours changed at all it thinks u stopped working
0 coins
AstroAce
•Thanks for the insight! So it sounds like this happens to a lot of people. Did your benefits continue normally after you did that?
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•yea everything was fine no delay but i did it right away
0 coins
Mei Wong
This sounds like my situation from a couple months ago, only my hours fluctuated between 12-18 hours each week. The system kept thinking I had stopped and started working again. I ended up having to report my employer info again, but I also wrote a detailed explanation in the comments section. My benefit amount changed slightly each week based on my earnings, but it continued without interruption. I think the key is to be very clear that you're still working the same job.
0 coins
Yuki Kobayashi
•It's ridiculous that they haven't fixed this issue! Seems like a super common problem for part-time workers. The system should be able to handle varied hours without thinking you've quit your job every other week!!
0 coins
Carmen Vega
Just to add some clarification: the NY unemployment system gets confused when your hours vary because it's primarily designed for people who are either fully employed or fully unemployed. When you report different hours, especially if one week is higher or lower than the previous, it can trigger this re-verification process. To prevent this from happening again, try to be very consistent in how you report your part-time work. If you worked 12 hours one week and 14 the next, consider just reporting the same number of hours if the difference in earnings isn't significant. This can help prevent the system from flagging your account repeatedly.
0 coins
AstroAce
•That's a great tip about being consistent with the reporting. I'll definitely try that. My hours do vary slightly week to week but I could probably round to the nearest 5 hours or something.
0 coins
AstroAce
Update: I tried calling NYSDOL over 20 times today with no luck. I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through! The agent confirmed I should select "Other" and write that I'm still employed part-time. She also noted on my account what happened so there shouldn't be any payment delays. Thanks everyone for your help!
0 coins
Andre Rousseau
•Glad you got it sorted out! Did they say anything about fixing this issue in the system? It's frustrating that so many of us have run into the same problem.
0 coins
AstroAce
•The agent actually sighed when I mentioned the issue and said they get calls about this all the time. Apparently it's on their "list of system improvements" but no timeline for when it might be fixed. At least they're aware of it!
0 coins
Jamal Harris
Anyone else notice that all these unemployment systems seem designed to make you mess up? My cousin in California has the exact same issue with their system. Almost like they want excuses to deny people...
0 coins
Yuki Kobayashi
•YES!!! 💯 It feels like they're HOPING we'll make a mistake so they can cut us off or hit us with an overpayment. The whole system needs to be redesigned by people who actually understand how modern work schedules operate!
0 coins