I went through this same situation a few months ago - also got denied for "misconduct" when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. I ended up hiring a lawyer and it was worth every penny. The attorney knew exactly what evidence to request from my former employer and how to present my case. We won the appeal and I got all my back benefits. If you're worried about cost, many lawyers will work on contingency for unemployment cases or offer payment plans. Don't let your employer's false misconduct claim stand - fight it!

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this myself. One thing I learned is that NYS has legal aid organizations that offer free or low-cost help with unemployment appeals if you qualify based on income. The Legal Aid Society and some local bar associations have programs specifically for unemployment cases. Also, if you do decide to represent yourself, make sure to request all the documents your employer submitted with their misconduct claim - you have a right to see their evidence before the hearing. The fact that your termination letter mentions budget cuts should work strongly in your favor. Document everything and don't be afraid to ask the hearing officer to clarify anything you don't understand during the process.

Just file the claim and let them sort it out. Better to apply and potentially get denied than not apply at all. You can always appeal if they make the wrong decision initially.

This happened to my coworker a few months ago and she got her benefits without any issues. The important thing is documenting everything - keep copies of your resignation letter with the date you submitted it and your intended last day, plus any emails or texts about them telling you to leave early. NYS Department of Labor will want to see that timeline clearly. Also, don't worry about mentioning your future job start date - you're entitled to benefits for the gap period between jobs as long as you're available to work during that time.

I went through something similar a few years ago. Your lawyer is definitely on the right track with the subpoena approach - that's really the only legitimate way to get unemployment records for a legal case. In my experience, family court judges take potential fraud seriously when it affects child support, so they're usually willing to order the records if your attorney can show reasonable cause. Also, keep detailed notes of any suspicious activity - like if he seems to have money for things he claims he can't afford, or if neighbors mention seeing him working somewhere. That kind of documentation can help support your attorney's request for the official records.

You're absolutely right to be suspicious if there are inconsistencies between his claims of being broke and his actual spending. I work in family law and see this situation frequently. A few things that might help: First, ask your attorney about requesting not just unemployment records but also bank statements and tax returns through discovery - this can reveal unreported income. Second, if he's posting about purchases on social media, screenshot everything with timestamps. Third, consider hiring a private investigator if your budget allows - they're experienced at documenting work activity without crossing legal lines. The subpoena process for unemployment records usually takes 2-4 weeks once filed, but having additional evidence strengthens your case significantly. NY courts don't mess around with parents who try to avoid child support through fraud.

One important thing to keep in mind is that your 8 years with the same company definitely works in your favor - you'll likely qualify for the maximum weekly benefit amount since that's based on your earnings history. Also, don't forget that you need to actively search for work and document your job search activities each week to continue receiving benefits. NYS Department of Labor requires at least 3 work search activities per week. Start organizing your job search strategy now so you're ready to hit the ground running when you file your claim.

Important to note that the 26 weeks is the maximum - your actual benefit duration depends on your work history and earnings. NYS uses a formula based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). If you haven't worked enough or earned enough during that period, you might get fewer than 26 weeks. With your 8 years of steady employment though, you should qualify for the full 26 weeks. Also, make sure to file your weekly certifications on time every week - missing even one can delay or interrupt your benefits. The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefit calculator that can give you an estimate of both your weekly amount and duration before you file.

I was in almost the exact same situation last fall! My hours dropped from full-time to about 12-15 hours per week at my retail job. Filing for partial unemployment was honestly a lifesaver. The process is pretty straightforward - you apply just like you would for regular unemployment, but then each week when you certify, you report your actual earnings. The system automatically calculates how much benefit you get based on what you earned that week. One thing that surprised me was that I could still get some benefits even when I had a slightly better week with more hours. As long as your weekly earnings are below your maximum benefit amount, you'll get something. Just be patient with the initial application process - it took about 3 weeks for my first payment to come through, but once it was set up, the weekly claims were easy to do online.

I'm currently going through this exact situation! My manufacturing job cut my hours from 40 to around 20 per week back in January. I was nervous about applying at first because I thought you had to be completely unemployed, but the partial unemployment benefit has been a huge help. One tip I wish someone had told me earlier - when you're reporting your weekly earnings, make sure you report your gross pay (before taxes), not your take-home pay. I made that mistake in my first few certifications and had to correct it later. Also, keep detailed records of your hours and pay stubs because NYS Department of Labor may ask for verification. The weekly certification process becomes routine once you get used to it - I just do mine every Sunday morning now. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using this benefit - it's exactly what it's designed for when your employer reduces your hours through no fault of your own.