
If you work part-time in the U.S., you may still be eligible for partial unemployment benefits, especially if your hours or pay were reduced against your will or if you took part-time work while searching for full-time employment. All gross wages must be reported weekly. Benefits are reduced based on income, but partial payments may continue.

The NYS DOL’s hours-based partial unemployment system allows workers to earn while working up to seven days a week without losing full benefits, as long as weekly hours do not exceed 30 and earnings stay below the maximum gross benefit rate, excluding self-employment. Reductions are applied by total weekly hours.

Part-time workers may qualify for full or partial unemployment benefits if their earnings are below their weekly benefit. Part-time typically refers to working fewer than 40 hours per week. When certifying benefits, report all gross wages, including part-time pay before taxes or deductions, even if they are below your weekly benefit.


