How to find out if someone is on unemployment - NYS Department of Labor records?

You can't directly access someone else's unemployment records - those are confidential under federal privacy laws. However, your attorney can subpoena NYS Department of Labor records as part of your custody case. The court can order disclosure of benefit information when it's relevant to child support determinations. You'll need to work through the legal system rather than trying to find this information yourself.

been there!! my sister went thru the same thing with her deadbeat ex. if hes working under the table and claiming UI thats fraud and the state takes it seriously. definitely get your lawyer to request those records through the court

If you suspect unemployment fraud, you can also report it directly to NYS Department of Labor. They have a fraud hotline and investigation unit. While you won't get access to his records, if they find fraud it becomes part of the legal record. Just saying 'I think he's working' isn't enough though - you need specific evidence like seeing him at a job site or having proof of unreported income.

Actually dealing with NYS Department of Labor for anything legal-related can be a nightmare because their phone lines are always jammed. If you need to contact them about fraud reporting or getting information for your attorney, I'd suggest using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they can get you connected to actual agents much faster than calling directly. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Could save your lawyer a lot of time trying to reach the right department.

The unemployment office isn't going to just hand over someone's benefit information to an ex-spouse, even with a good reason. Privacy laws exist for a reason. Focus on documenting any evidence of unreported work instead - photos, witness statements, proof of income. That's what will actually help your case.

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.