Adding to what others have said - one thing that caught me off guard was that the exemptions can change if your business grows. For example, if you start as a family business employing only relatives but later hire outside employees, you might lose that exemption status. Also, some exemptions have annual wage thresholds that reset each year, so you need to monitor your payroll carefully. I'd recommend keeping detailed records from day one and maybe consulting with a payroll specialist who knows NYS Department of Labor requirements inside and out. It's one of those areas where being proactive can save you major headaches down the road.

As someone who just went through the registration process, I can tell you that you typically need to register within 30 days of meeting the liability requirements - there's no grace period once you cross the threshold. The NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about this timeline. I'd recommend setting up a quarterly review of your payroll to track when you might hit those thresholds (like the $300 per quarter per employee rule). That way you can register proactively rather than scrambling after the fact. Also, even if you think you qualify for an exemption, it's often safer to register anyway since the penalties for late registration are much worse than just paying the taxes from the start.

The problem with ny unemployment is getting through to ask these kinds of specific questions. I spent TWO WEEKS calling and couldn't get through. Finally broke down and used claimyr.com which got me a callback in 2 hours. Best money I ever spent because I was able to ask all my questions and get my claim fixed.

Hey AstroAce! I was in almost the exact same situation last year - went from 40 hours to about 12-15 hours at my part-time job. You absolutely can get partial unemployment benefits in NY! The key things to remember: - Report your GROSS wages (before taxes) when you certify each week - NY counts DAYS worked, not just hours - so try to get your manager to schedule your 15 hours on as few days as possible (ideally 1-2 days) - If you work 1 day = 75% of your benefit, 2 days = 50%, 3 days = 25%, 4+ days = 0% - If you earn over $504 in any week, you get nothing that week regardless of days Don't worry about your employer - they get notified but it doesn't cost them anything extra since you're still employed. Most managers understand that people need to survive when hours get cut. The hardest part honestly is just getting through the initial application process and reaching someone if you have questions. The phone lines are basically impossible, but once you get it set up, the weekly certifications are pretty straightforward. Good luck! With rent that high and only 15 hours, you definitely need and deserve this assistance.

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.

tried logging into id.me today and my account was showing as "verified" but ny unemployment still says pending?? makes no sense

Dont waste ur time waiting. Srsly. I waited 6 weeks thinking it would just magically start working. Finally used claimyr.com to get an agent on the phone and they fixed it in 5 minutes. Turns out my ID verification was done but stuck in some queue on their end. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast, wish I'd done it weeks earlier.

im in literally the exact same boat except im 68. been trying to reach someone for weeks to figure out my options smh

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. As someone new to this community, I wanted to mention that at 71 with cancer affecting your ability to work, you may also want to look into Medicare benefits if you haven't already - they can help cover some of your medical costs while you're navigating the disability application process. Also, many cancer support organizations have financial assistance programs that might help bridge the gap. The American Cancer Society has a helpline that can connect you with local resources. Wishing you the best! 🙏