
U.S. workers can often receive partial unemployment benefits when working part-time, especially if their hours or pay were cut against their will or if they took part-time employment while looking for full-time work. Weekly gross wages must be reported. Benefits decrease with earnings, but some payments may continue, potentially extending your benefit period.

NYS DOL’s new partial unemployment system uses an hours-based method. You can work up to seven days a week without losing full benefits if you work 30 hours or less and earn under the maximum gross benefit rate, excluding self-employment. Reductions are now based on total weekly hours rather than per day worked.

If your part-time income is below your weekly unemployment benefit, you may still receive full or partial payments. Part-time usually means under 40 hours a week. When certifying benefits, you must report all gross wages, including part-time pay before taxes or deductions, even if the total seems less than your weekly benefit.


