Jobs, Training & Career · Surprise rank #284
Partial Unemployment Can Replace Some Pay When a Boss Cuts Hours Instead of Jobs
Shared Work partial-unemployment program
Who
Employees whose employer has an approved NYS Shared Work plan.
What to do
Start here: Ask your employer or HR whether there is an approved Shared Work plan and certify weekly when instructed.
Eligibility: The employer's plan must be approved and the worker's hours and pay must be reduced by 20% to 60%.
What you get
Shared Work lets employees receive partial unemployment benefits when an approved employer temporarily cuts a work unit's hours instead of laying people off.
Benefit: A partial UI benefit tied to the percentage reduction in hours and wages.
Possible value: For example, a 20% reduction can produce 20% of the worker's weekly UI benefit rate, in addition to reduced wages.
Good to know
Important: An employee cannot start the program alone; the employer must establish and maintain the approved plan.
Availability: Current NYS DOL program.
Why people miss it: It is a layoff alternative controlled by the employer, not a standard individual UI application.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026