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.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation where I live in Pennsylvania but work in Manhattan. I was getting stressed about potentially filing in the wrong state and having to start over. It's reassuring to know that since my paychecks come from a NY employer and taxes were withheld for NY, I should definitely file with NYS Department of Labor. The interstate commuter situation is definitely more common than people think, especially in areas like NYC where people live across state lines for housing costs but work where the jobs are.

Thanks for this thread! I'm in a similar situation - live in New Jersey but work in Brooklyn. I was getting conflicting advice from friends and family about which state to file with. Some people kept telling me to file in NJ since that's where I'm a resident, but based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like NYS Department of Labor is definitely the right choice since that's where I've been earning wages and paying into the system. It's good to know this is such a common situation for tri-state area workers. I feel much more confident about filing now instead of second-guessing myself.

same boat here, been on UI for 6 weeks and house hunting is on hold indefinitely. so frustrating when you know it's just temporary but lenders treat you like you're unemployable

I work as a loan officer in NY and can shed some light on this. While unemployment does make approval more challenging, it's not automatically disqualifying. Many lenders will consider your wife's income as the primary qualifying income and may accept unemployment benefits as supplemental income with proper documentation from NYS Department of Labor. The key factors are: 1) Your wife's debt-to-income ratio on her salary alone, 2) Your credit scores and assets, 3) Documentation showing the layoff was company-related not performance-related, and 4) A reasonable timeline for returning to work. I'd recommend getting pre-qualified with 2-3 different lenders since policies vary significantly. Some are much more flexible with temporary unemployment situations, especially in construction where seasonal/cyclical layoffs are common.

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.