Partial Unemployment for Part Time Workers

See this article for the latest on Partial Unemployment benefits for workers with reduced hours or working part-time.

How Do I Apply For Partial Unemployment Benefits?

You will have to check your state unemployment website for details, but for example in New York, rules have been updated to allow workers the opportunity to work part-time while collecting regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.

NYS uses a partial unemployment system uses an “hours-based” approach. Under the new rules, you can work up to 7 days per week without losing full unemployment benefits for that week, if you work 30 hours or fewer and earn $504 or less in gross pay excluding earnings from self-employment.

With this change, your benefits will not be reduced for each day you engage in part-time work. Instead, benefits will be reduced in increments based on your total hours of work for the week.

States like PA and CA, offer Partial Unemployment Benefit Credits to offset the impacts of reduced benefits from part time work, but in many higher income states this won’t make much of an impact.

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One important note in the DOL guidance letter is that individuals whose underlying benefit payments are intercepted to pay debts (e.g., over payments) are eligible for the $300 FPUC, even if 100% of their weekly benefit amount is intercepted.

Benefits intercepted to pay debts are considered to be compensation for the week. Child support obligations however must be deducted from FPUC payments in the same manner and to the same extent as these obligations are deducted from regular UC.

Also the DOL is clear that the $300 payment is taxable by the IRS and will be included in the year end 1099G issued by state unemployment departments. Beneficiaries may be required to withhold taxes for this payment and subject to state taxes where applicable.

Partial Unemployment Benefits For Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

I have been getting this question across several articles published around the now expired enhanced unemployment benefit programs now in place until September 6th, 2021.

The Federal Department of Labor (DOL) has issued additional Unemployment Insurance guidance confirming the fact that individuals who are entitled to receive any portion of their state’s regular unemployment compensation (UC) will also receive the $300 flat weekly payment through to September 6th, 2021.

The $300 weekly FPUC supplementary payment is payable for weeks of unemployment beginning on or after the date on which the state enters into an agreement with the Department of Labor.

In states where the week of unemployment ends on a Saturday, the first week for which the recently funded FPUC may be paid is the week ending March 20nd, 2021 (under the previous CAA extension it was January 2nd, 2021).

In states where the week of unemployment ends on a Sunday, the first week for which FPUC may be paid is the week ending March 21st, 2021. The cost of the additional $300 payments to eligible individuals each week is 100% federally funded, but administered by the state UI agency.

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225 thoughts on “Partial Unemployment for Part Time Workers”

  1. We are in WI. My 18 year old son is a high school student about to graduate. He has worked for his company about 8-9 months. (since Sept 2019).He normally works 24 hours a week and now they are scheduling him zero hours for the last few weeks. Will he qualify for unemployment? regular or PUA? It’s very vague as to what limited employment is. He has worked plenty of hours since September but hasn’t worked a full year.

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  2. I’M A GEORGIA RESIDENT & RECEIVED MY UNIMPLOYMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT ON 04/16/20, HOWEVER, NOTHING SINCE THEN SO WHERE IS MY $600 & WILL I RECEIVE IT SOON?

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  3. Illinois here. Small business I work for thought they would get grant money, but didn’t. Want us to work 6 to 10 hours per week instead of usual 32. Will our unemployment be cancelled for working 1 day per week?

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  4. I got cut to 20 hrs a week in healthcare and unfortunately I make $4 more than I qualify for. I’m better off being laid off because 20 hrs just about only covers my insurance.

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    • That’s what I think. It’s not right for people that have reduced hours to not get at least the federal 600 benefits.

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  5. Its certainly the loophole, that a good portion of the laid off workers are making out on. My feelings are mixed. The extra 600 will save alot of people by allowing them to catch up on Bill’s, or possibly save a couple dollars. On the other hand, where’s the incentive to go back to work, and for some making far less. Strange set of circumstances.

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  6. I was denied for Unemployment benefits in Michigan and would like to know if I qualify for FPUC. I have tried 28 times to contact my local unemployment office but it just hangs up on me.

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    • Contact your state or local city rep ( you can e-mail them & can find that info on your city website) tell them your story & that you cannot get through to the unemployment office; they will contact them for you, I just did this after hitting nothing but brick walls for a month, unemployment called me within a week. Good luck!

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  7. So in other words, I still have reduced hours and still making less than what UI will pay me. I am still going to file this Saturday and state I only worked 20 hours making $210.

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  8. My two employers laid me off due to Covid-19. I worked 20 hours and one job and 20 hours at the other job
    I haven’t work for either jobs for over a month now. Unemployment is pending deposit tomorrow for my regular benefit amount that is $304. I also have the $600 pending too. Here is my question: My one employer was able to hire me back because she qualified for a forgivable loan due to Covid-19. So I will be getting 20 hours of work making $210 gross each week. My other employer is still shut down. Will I still get unemployment along with the extra $600? I also have 4 children that I support. Thank you!

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    • Update: I just got notice that I will be getting $94 in UI benefits. So, from what I read above, I still qualify for the extra $600? Correct?

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      • I don’t think that’s right …. some say yes you will get the extra 600 but from what I see on other sites it’s only if you furloughed or laid off NOT reduced hours. It’s super confusing. I too am waiting to hear. Got called back to work this coming Monday at reduced hours…

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    • Yes, you should be entitled to benefits. Here’s the only catch. You must make sure you dont make more money working than your Weekly benefit amount + allotted %. In PA its 30% and in other states it’s up to 50%.

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  9. Hi, I just wanted to see if I’m entitled to get $600 from unemployment.. I work 16-20 hrs a week part time which exceed my benefit amount of $78 weekly. Will I still get the $600 ?

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  10. I got approve for partial unemployment but I didn’t receive the extra $600 what do I do to qualify for the extra

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  11. i work 18 hours per week as a part time in the state of NY. i still get my salary, so will i get the extra $600?

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  12. My husband got laid off from his full time job due to Pandemic but he also works part time he got denied Unemployment due to part time income was $6 higher then What Weekly Unemployment Was going to give him before $600 extra. So will he still qualify for the $600 extra stimulus?

    Reply
  13. Hi, I live in the state of California
    I currently work as a part time employee working 24 hours per week and have missed a few days from work due to school shut downs. Do I qualify for partial unemployment and do I qualify for the the $600 weekly if I work part time ?

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  14. Hey everyone! Hope everyone is staying safe!

    Thanks for all the useful info. I pretty much understand what you are saying just a few quick questions based on your knowledge.

    I filed in NY state and got approved for $337 weekly and of course it triggered the $600. I may work 1 day a week and understand my state UI will be reduced by 1/4 of the total rate but will the federal $600 also reduce? And if I do certify week to week that I work 1 day a week will it stop the $600? Some weeks I will certify 1 day worked and some weeks 0. I know the state will be able to keep up with the right amount but how is the federal $600 affected?

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    • I work part time and one week I’ll work 3 days and the next week I’ll work 4 days. The week I worked 3 days I received one day benefit rate and received $600.00. The following week I worked 4 days and didn’t received a benefit amount which is understandable and didn’t received $600.00′ my question is if I work 4 days will I be able to collect $600.00?

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      • You will get the $600 for any week you qualify for any amount of regular unemployment or PUA. If your wages for a given week meant you couldn’t certify for unemployment then you won’t receive the $600 for that week either

        Reply
  15. I have been reduced from 40 hours to 32 hours weekly which means I am losing almost $400 of my normal pay every 2 weeks. In the state of Kansas we are allowed to file unemployment for the unpaid 8 hours, but my question is if I will qualify for the additional $600 per week.

    Thank you

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    • This is exactly what I have been wondered. There’s no definitions or formulas regarding $600 disbursement for reduced hours employees.

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    • I will say no. Based on the fact, if you do file. Your weekly benefit amount will be less than your weekly pay, which will disqualify you from from recieving UC. All states have different amounts you can make, and still collect. However, in no state can you still recieve benefits if your gross take home exceeds your weekly benefit amount plus whatever additional % you can earn and still collect.

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      • I’m confused by your responses conflicting with others. My employer says with a reduction of 10-40% of hours, you qualify for unemployment benefits for the reduced hours (which of course will be less than what you actually make if you work), but will also receive the $600 stimulus payment with it.

        I guess I’m confused by your response in comparison to what the article states which indicates if you qualify for ANY unemployment amount, then you receive the stimulus. ???

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    • As far as what I’m reading if you make more in a week (with reduced hours) than the weekly unemployment benefit for your state then you don’t qualify for the extra $600.

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  16. I was put in the Work Share Program at my office in California and now have been cut from full time to 15 hours a week. Am I eligible for the $600.00 stimulus checks?

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    • Yes, you would be entitled to UC benefits. At 15 hours, you will recieve partial employment plus the additional 600. It’s a big win for you.

      Reply
  17. I work part-time, 3 days a week and I’m an Airbnb host. I’m still working the 3 day a week job but have no Airbnb business right now with all bookings canceled due to travel ban. I was reading gig employment, including Airbnb was eligible for unemployment with this but I’m wondering if I can apply for it given I’m still working my other job?

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    • Hello, my hours have been reduced from 50 to 28 the past couple weeks and will continue to be so the next several weeks at least. I live in Colorado. I have read some articles about applying for unemployment benefits if your hours have been reduced and receiving the additional $600 government benefit. The Colorado unemployment website states: You must be unemployed or your hours are reduced to fewer than 32 hours a week and earning less than the weekly amount unemployment pays you because of COVID-19.” Can someone please elaborate on this? I make $17 an hour if that helps. Thank you for any assistance.

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  18. I work in Oregon and my hours were cut from 34 to roughly 4 hours per week. Will I be eligible for unemployment and the $600 extra weekly? Or does working a few hours take away the benefits including the extra $600? I filed a claim 3 weeks ago and have heard nothing back :/

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  19. I was working as a server in the restaurant field my restaurant got closed down due to the coronavirus 19 I am working for Walmart part-time 20 hours a week do I qualify for the extra 600 a week for unemployment

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  20. If I work 30 hours per week with 10 hours lay off per week due to the COVID-19 and made excessive amount When I put in and according to unemployment claim will I still get any of the $600.00 stimulus money. With a loss of $180.00 per week. Thank you

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    • I was approved for unemployment ! I was getting all the benefits & I still should be ! But its been a month that i haven’t received anything ? Does anyone know why? -from pa

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  21. I have been reduced from 40 hours to 10 weekly. This article indicated that I will get the extended benefit. Today the Governor said
    “To qualify for unemployment and this expanded benefit you can not choose to collect unemployment benefits if employment at your current place of work is available.
    My employer does have 10 hrs a week for me. Does this mean I won’t get the extended benefit?

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    • You can still get partial UI and $600 stimulus payment if your earnings are less than max WBA (less any partial employment offset). I recommend you definitely file a claim and see what you get.

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  22. My college student lost her part time job due to the pandemic and is collecting unemployment. My question is, how do you justify the $600 extra a week if she didn’t take home that amount to begin with? And, is she exempt because she is a college student?

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  23. My question is the same as others still working. I work in a factory that ask employees if they wanted layoff or not. I stayed working because I was only there 4 weeks before the stay at home order. I do qualify for unemployment from past employer but thought I would get less if I took layoff. Then come to find out I would of gotten 3 times as much as I make now. Totally unfair…is the government going to issue us compensation checks for working? Also my employer is a small business and Will NOT file for anything from government so where does that leave me

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  24. I have an overpayment with a payment plan with unemployment. I still have penalty weeks. Will i still be able to get the $600? Please help.

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  25. Hi I’m from California I have a question I work part time 15 hrs a week will I qualified for the $600 Thank you

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  26. CA EDD got my notice of unemployment insurance and it says my weekly benefit amount is $0 and my Max is $0 .I only made $320 on my last and highest quarter . And I exhausted my benefits last June . Will I still qualify for the $600 ???? They even sent me a debit card , I’m confused . Help!!!!

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  27. My husband was reduced from 49 hours per week to 39 hours per week. His salary is dependent on the extra 10 hours per week at time and a half. So, in essence he is losing 15 hours (since it’s OT). so since salary is drastically reduced, will he qualify for unemployment is my question, even though he is close to 40 hours. If not, he is making less for going to work than his coworkers are for staying home. Any accurate info appreciated. Filed a claim 2 weeks ago, awaiting the results now. thank you.

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  28. I filed for UI in NYS on 3/25. I received a determination from the DOL stating that I have been denied UI due to my quarters, including the Alternate Base Quarter, being less than $2600. In the guidelines provided by the NYS DOL it says ” You can file for a PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) online”…but…”you cannot apply for PUA until you have been determined ineligible for UI benefits. You must apply for UI before you can apply for PUA.” That PUA estimate would be about $182 a week from now until 6/30. I haven’t been notified if my PUA application has been accepted or denied and have not received the additional $600 as of 4/13. Is this due to the backup of the system? Have I overlooked something? Will the PUA and the $600 be retroactive?

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  29. i applied for unemployment insurance in march 2020, and received a letter stating i was monetarily ineligible. i started working my job 6/2019. You cant reach anyone to get answers so me and my family have no income. Will I receive the 600.00 unemployment stimulus payment. the system tells me to keep certifying for benefits.

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  30. What about all the essential employees who still have to work 12 hour shifts in jobs the state relies on to keep running making less than 15/ hr? Will people living safely in the comfort of their homes now make more than us?

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    • Only if you are in arrears by that amount. You will get the $600 and then any arrears or child support is taken from the total.

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      • so to clarify, even if you are currently making the weekly child support payment, the full 600$
        will be taken each week until all back support is paid in full?

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        • I found out first hand that child support will only garnish your weekly obligation (or what they normally garnish from your regular paycheck) from the regular unemployment and will not garnish the 600. This may vary per case but I do not believe so because many people including my self are receiving the full 600.

  31. From Texas !! Heres a question i was self employed and had a par time job in march, however due to the virus i have no job now. i qualify for my regular benefits! Do i get 600 increase? how about my self employed ? do i get a increase along with my regular benefits? Also what if i decide to get a partime job now less than 24 hours will i still get my regular benefits plus the 600 increase? how will this apply

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  32. I work a full time job that doesn’t meet my financial obligations. I was laid off from my two part-time jobs due to COVID-19. I’m not eligible for UI, so what are those of us that still work 40 hours supposed to do? I count on those other jobs to help pay the bills!!

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  33. I work at taco bell In vinton i usually get around 37 38 hours a week. But since This virus I only been getting 20 or less hours a week. Would I be ed
    Eligible for partial unemployment or unemployment period.

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    • Yes. File a claim with your state UI agency to see what you can get. Even if you get $1 you get the bonus $600 payment.

      Reply
  34. My hours have been drastically reduced and I had actually filed UI a few weeks ago at the first sign of reduced hours. My first request for payment was -0- due to the fact that I actually found some PRN work at another facility. Since then, these last 2 weeks my company states that no one is allowed to work outside of my facility (nursing home) which I get. When I request payment this Sunday, I am curious if I will be getting any payment again. I’m not sure how to find what Texas minimum pay is before UI will pay.

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  35. I used to work part time I have been on unemployment since October and need an extension for unemployment benifits due to covid 19 there is no work available!!! Please help me get an an extention!! 4 13 weeks Thank you

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  36. From California. My wife was instructed not to come to work as part time in one of her jobs which is Company A due to covid 19 crisis. She is still working full time in her other job Company B. Can she apply for unemployment under Company A? and is she entitled for $600 a week federal benefits.

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  37. I have been reduced from full time salaried to hourly 10 hours a week. I am filing for unemployment. Will I still receive the $600 a week if I am partially employed?

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  38. If my hours are reduced but my UI payment would be less than I currently earn I would not receive a check for that week. Would I still be eligible for the extra $600 payment?

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      • That really sucks for the people trying to do the right thing. I might as well quit my job.

        My hours were reduced. My state limit per week is $247. With to hours I work, my gross weekly is $300. So, UI doesn’t pay me anything. Now you say I won’t even get the $600. Why should I keep working when someone that made minimum wage now going to make more that I do? Please answer that!

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        • Hours went from 40 to 24 my gross is around 350.00 before taxes and insurance is pulled out of my check. Unemployment says if you make 275.00 dollars a week even if your hours are cut you still will be denied unemployment and the added 600.00. How am I expected to live on $150.00 to $200.00 dollars a week and everyone else is getting 875.00 weekly. Not to mention the people still working still has the expense of gasoline to get to and from there jobs. Sad situation especially when you are in the healthcare field risking yourself to help others …

        • Exactly! It’s not fair at all, I went from working 40 hours to now working 24-25, according to this I don’t qualify for Unemployment or the $600 because I’m working too many hours!! I’m better off sitting at home instead of working in a dental office that’s only open for emergencies because it’s essential!!

        • I’m in the same spot! Hours are cut from working sometimes 60+ hours a week this time of year to now 30 or less and because I hit the $500 max there are no benefits which means I am losing 10 hrs regular pay plus my 20ish hours of overtime. I believe if you file a claim and it is under 40 hours right now they should be giving the $600. I am definitely better off right now not working!

    • They should not take all of it as long as you have a payment agreement in place to pay, they should only take the weekly agreement amount

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  39. Thank you for your reply. Florida unemployment offices are closed so he cannot go and apply in person. And phone lines are constantly busy or have lengthy hold periods. Governor news briefing on Monday states hevis adding more servers and personnel to handle the online claims. I will tell him not to give up, keep trying until he can get a claim through this muddled system.

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  40. My daughter’s fiancée works as a Maintenance Supervisor for a popular corporate hotel chain. He was put on reduced pay a couple of weeks ago, a 30% pay cut. Then on Friday, April 3, 2020, he was told he was being laid off. So I told him he would be eligible for unemployment. Then on Monday, April 6, 2020, he told me the supervisor told him they would not lay him off but that his hours would be cut even further, as well as his hourly pay. He was told they would need him two hours a day, three to four days a week @ minimum wage. I told him he would still qualify for unemployment under the COVID-19 rules. Am I correct? He hasn’t tried to apply yet because he’s not sure if the corporate hotel chain will “approve” of it? Doesn’t he have the right to apply for unemployment without worrying about repercussions?

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    • Under new COVID-19 laws he is definitely eligible for UI and it is illegal for his employers to deny him this right. He should file and if his current wages are below UI payment he will get payment and he would also be eligible for the $600 payment. Tell him to go to his state UI agency and file.

      Reply
    • It does not matter what his company wants or doesn’t want. It’s about his rights as a worker. He should definitely file, and he should recieve benefits.

      Reply

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