What are the requirements to claim unemployment in New York - confused about eligibility
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment but honestly have no idea what the actual requirements are. I worked at a restaurant for about 8 months before they cut my hours down to basically nothing. Do I even qualify? I've heard people talk about having to work a certain amount of time or earn a minimum amount but I can't find clear info on the NYS Department of Labor website. Also do I need to be completely out of work or can I file if my hours got reduced? Really don't want to waste time filing if I don't meet the basic requirements.
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Ryder Greene
You might qualify for partial unemployment benefits if your hours were significantly reduced. For regular unemployment in NY, you generally need to have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). You also need to have earned at least $2,900 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages. The fact that you worked 8 months is promising - when did you start and when were your hours cut?
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Leeann Blackstein
•I started in March 2024 and they cut my hours in November. I was making about $18/hour working 35-40 hours a week, now I'm down to maybe 10-12 hours. So I should definitely meet those wage requirements you mentioned.
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Carmella Fromis
Yes you can definitely file for partial benefits when your hours get reduced like that. The key thing is you have to be available for full-time work and actively searching for a new job. You'll need to file your weekly claims and report any wages you earn from your current job. The NYS Department of Labor will calculate your benefit amount and deduct a portion of what you earn each week. Make sure you keep track of all your job search activities because they require proof.
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Theodore Nelson
•How many job search activities do you have to do each week? I keep seeing different numbers online.
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Carmella Fromis
•You need to complete at least 3 work search activities per week and keep a log of them. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc. Keep detailed records because they can audit your job search at any time.
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AaliyahAli
I was in a similar situation last year and had such a hard time getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about my eligibility. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real person at the unemployment office. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to verify my claim status and get answers about partial benefits.
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Leeann Blackstein
•That sounds too good to be true honestly. How much does something like that cost?
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AaliyahAli
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't post pricing on the site but it was worth it for me to avoid the phone nightmare. You can check their site for current info.
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Ellie Simpson
definitely file!! the worst they can say is no and at least you'll know for sure. restaurant workers get screwed over all the time with hour cuts, you deserve benefits if you qualify
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Arjun Kurti
•This exactly. The system is designed to help people in situations like yours. Don't let them intimidate you out of applying.
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Raúl Mora
One thing to keep in mind is that you have to be separated from work through no fault of your own. Since your hours were cut by the employer and you didn't quit or get fired for misconduct, you should be fine on that requirement. Just be honest about your situation when you file your claim and during any potential phone interviews.
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