NYS Department of Labor minimum wage increase - worried about unemployment eligibility
My employer just told us they're cutting hours because of the new minimum wage requirements in NY. I'm worried I might get laid off completely or have my hours reduced so much that I'll need to file for unemployment. If they cut my hours below 30 per week due to minimum wage costs, would I be eligible for partial unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor? I work retail and have been there for 8 months. Really stressed about this whole situation and don't know what my options are if they decide to let people go.
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Liam Cortez
Yes, you can file for partial unemployment benefits if your hours are reduced below your normal schedule. NYS Department of Labor allows you to collect partial UI if you're working less than 4 days or earning less than your weekly benefit amount. You'll need to report all wages when filing your weekly claim, and they'll calculate your partial benefit accordingly. The key is that the hour reduction has to be involuntary on your part.
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Kiara Fisherman
•Thank you! So I don't have to be completely unemployed to file? That's a relief. Do I need to wait until they actually cut my hours or can I file as soon as they reduce them?
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Savannah Vin
same thing happened at my job last year when they raised minimum wage, half our staff got cut but the rest of us kept working just fewer hours. i filed for partial benefits and it helped a lot
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Kiara Fisherman
•How long did it take for your partial claim to get approved? I'm hoping the process isn't too complicated.
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Mason Stone
If you do end up needing to contact NYS Department of Labor about your claim status or have questions about partial benefits, I had good luck using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get through on the phone until I tried their service. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•How much does that cost though? I'm already worried about money if my hours get cut.
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Mason Stone
•It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly when you're dealing with lost income and can't get answers from NYS Department of Labor directly, having someone who can actually reach an agent is pretty valuable.
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Christian Bierman
This whole minimum wage thing is such a mess. Companies just cut hours and workers end up worse off than before. At least unemployment benefits exist but it shouldn't have to come to that. NYS Department of Labor should do something about employers who use wage increases as an excuse to slash jobs.
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Emma Olsen
•totally agree, my cousin lost her job when they raised it to $15 in her area
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Lucas Lindsey
Just make sure you keep documentation of your normal work schedule and any notices they give you about hour reductions. NYS Department of Labor will want to verify that the reduction wasn't voluntary. Also, you'll need to be available for work and continue job searching if you're on partial benefits, so keep that job search log updated even if you're still working reduced hours.
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Kiara Fisherman
•Good point about the documentation. Should I ask my manager for something in writing about the hour cuts?
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Lucas Lindsey
•Definitely get it in writing if possible. Even an email or text message explaining the reason for reduced hours can help support your claim.
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