What are the qualifications to collect unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

The main qualifications for NYS unemployment benefits are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period, 2) You need to have earned at least $2,600 in your highest quarter, 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages, 4) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, and 5) You must be able and available to work while actively searching for employment. Since your hours were cut significantly, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits even while still working reduced hours.

You should definitely apply if your hours got cut that drastically. I was in a similar situation last year when my restaurant reduced my shifts from full-time to just weekends. The NYS Department of Labor approved me for partial benefits that made up some of the difference. The key is that the reduction wasn't your fault - if they cut hours due to slow business, that typically qualifies you. Just make sure you report any wages you do earn when you file your weekly claims.

the job search thing is 3 contacts per week minimum and you have to keep a log of where you applied. its not too bad but you gotta actually do it or theyll deny your claims

I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my own qualification questions but their phone lines are impossible to get through. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person there? I keep getting disconnected after waiting on hold for over an hour.

honestly the whole unemployment system is designed to discourage people from applying. they make the qualifications confusing on purpose so fewer people will file claims. but if you lost hours through no fault of your own you should apply regardless

Quick question - do you still qualify if you quit your job? My manager has been making my life miserable and I'm thinking about leaving but don't want to lose out on benefits.