Assemblyman Stirpe: Applying for Unemployment Benefits Should Become Easier
Since its initial outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immeasurable damage to families across the state and put millions of lives on hold. Through no fault of their own, countless workers have been laid off from their jobs without any indication of when they may be reinstated. Now, more than ever, it’s critical that New Yorkers know that there are resources available to help them navigate this difficult and uncertain time. This is exactly what Unemployment Insurance benefits are designed to do.
Unfortunately, the application system for unemployment benefits was not designed to handle this many displaced workers at one time. The New York State Department of Labor reported that more than 800,000 New Yorkers applied for Unemployment Insurance in the past three weeks. That has left many applicants unable to complete their filing and unsure when they will be able to get their benefits.
I reached out to the Department of Labor to share my concerns, and I have been assured that they have been working around the clock to deal with this backlog and get people enrolled. Just this past week, they launched a new, streamlined website that can handle applications from start to finish. They have moved from 4 servers for the website to 60. And they now have 1000 people answering calls for those who are already in the system – as the best way to apply for benefits is still online.
Due to the unprecedented volume of people filing for unemployment, the DOL has also issued additional guidelines to help streamline the process. Applicants should file claims based on the first letter of their last names: A-F on Mondays, G-N on Tuesdays and O-Z on Wednesdays. Those who have missed their filing day should file on Thursday through Saturday. Filing later in the week will not affect the date of a claim, and claims are retroactive to the day job is lost. The claims center telephone hours have been extended for those already in the program, to 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.[1]
Applicants can complete their applications online by going to labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm and selecting “File a Claim.” Applicants will then be contacted by the Department of Labor, and they are urged not to call the claim center number unless instructed to do so.
In addition to these changes in capacity and process, I recently helped pass legislation waiving the seven-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance (UI) applicants as well as extending sick leave to those directly impacted by COVID-19 (Ch. 25 of 2020). The 2020-21 state budget also included additional funding for state insurance benefits, extended paid sick leave and increased job protections for private employees. All New Yorkers deserve to have both their medical and financial burdens eased as quickly as possible, and I will continue working to pass measures that ensure hardworking employees have the resources and support they need to get through this difficult time.
The federal CARES Act also expanded UI opportunities. These new programs include the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), program, which extends UI eligibility to individuals such as self-employed workers and independent contractors who are generally ineligible for unemployment benefits; Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which gives an additional $600 a week on top of regular benefits to all UI recipients; and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provides an extra 13 weeks of UI benefits on top of the 26-week maximum.[2] Applicants can file for PUA and find additional information online at labor.ny.gov.
Lastly, in order to help workers recover after the effects of this pandemic, NY Hire and the DOL have set up programs to help New Yorkers find new jobs in key industries. Those interested in applying can learn more information at nyhirenow.usnlx.com and labor.ny.gov/dol-job-openings.shtm.
These past few weeks have been confusing, unstable and frightening for many New Yorkers. However, I want to assure you that I’m always looking out for your health and safety. If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 315-452-1115 or StirpeA@nyassembly.gov. Additionally, for further updates and information, you can visit the New York State Department of Health website at www.ny.gov/coronavirus or call the state Novel Coronavirus Hotline at 888-364-3065.
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