Does child support come out of unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
I just started receiving unemployment benefits and I'm paying child support through wage garnishment at my old job. Now that I'm on unemployment, will NYS Department of Labor automatically deduct my child support payments from my weekly benefits? I'm getting $504 per week and my support order is $180 weekly. I can't find clear information on the my.ny.gov website about this and I need to know if I should expect the full amount or if it gets taken out automatically.
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Chloe Robinson
Yes, child support will be deducted from your unemployment benefits. NYS Department of Labor is required by federal law to withhold court-ordered support from UI payments. The deduction should show up on your payment history in your my.ny.gov account. You'll still receive your unemployment minus the $180 weekly support amount.
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CosmicCrusader
•Thanks for confirming! So I should expect $324 per week then. Do you know how long it takes for them to start the deductions? I got my first payment this week without any deduction.
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Diego Flores
It usually takes 2-3 weeks for NYS Department of Labor to coordinate with the child support enforcement unit and start the automatic deductions. Your first few payments might come through at the full amount, but once they sync up the systems, the support will be taken out before you receive your benefits.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•Same thing happened to me last year. Got 2 full payments then they started taking out my support. Don't spend that extra money thinking you'll keep getting it!
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Sean Flanagan
If you need to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor about your support deductions, I had good luck using claimyr.com to actually reach an agent. The phone lines are always jammed but their service got me through in like 15 minutes. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than trying to call yourself and getting disconnected over and over.
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Zara Mirza
•How much does that cost though? I'm already stretched thin with the support payments.
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Sean Flanagan
•It's not expensive and honestly worth it if you need answers fast. Better than wasting hours trying to get through on your own.
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NebulaNinja
this is so unfair they take your support money even when you're unemployed... how are we supposed to live on what's left?? the system is rigged against us
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Chloe Robinson
•I understand the frustration, but child support obligations don't pause just because someone becomes unemployed. The children still need that financial support regardless of the parent's employment status.
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Luca Russo
yeah they definitely take it out automatically. happened to my brother when he was on unemployment last year. just be glad you're still getting something after support is taken out!
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Liam O'Connor
Just wanted to add that you can also check with your local Child Support Enforcement office to confirm the exact timing and amount of deductions. Sometimes there can be delays or discrepancies, and they can give you a clearer timeline than DOL. Also, if your financial situation has changed significantly due to unemployment, you might be able to request a modification of your support order - though that's a separate legal process from the unemployment benefits. Keep all your payment records organized in case you need them later.
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Sean Murphy
•That's really helpful advice about contacting Child Support Enforcement directly! I didn't think about requesting a modification - is that something you can do right away when you become unemployed or do you have to wait a certain period? Also wondering if the modification process affects the automatic deductions from unemployment benefits while it's pending.
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