What reasons can you get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

You can definitely qualify for partial unemployment benefits with reduced hours like that! NYS Department of Labor recognizes several qualifying reasons: involuntary job loss (layoffs, termination without misconduct), significant reduction in hours, constructive discharge, and quitting for good cause. Good cause includes things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, domestic violence situations, or significant changes to your job terms. You'll need to file a regular UI claim and report your reduced earnings on your weekly claims.

File as soon as the reduction happens, not before. Other qualifying reasons include being fired for reasons other than misconduct (like poor performance that isn't willful), temporary layoffs, and even some situations where you quit due to medical issues or family emergencies. The key is proving you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Make sure to keep documentation of the hour reduction notice from your employer.

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about my specific situation and kept getting hung up on. Found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually gets you through to a real agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and I got my questions answered about qualifying reasons in one conversation.

you can also get it if your job eliminates your position entirely even if they offer you something else thats way different or pays way less. happened to my friend when her company restructured and they wanted to move her from marketing manager to receptionist at half the pay

Don't forget about situations like workplace discrimination or retaliation. If you quit because of illegal treatment by your employer, that's considered good cause. But you need solid documentation and it's harder to prove than a straightforward layoff.