Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is saying there is good news to all those who are having problems with applications for unemployment. The Governor’s office has heard your plight stemming from an unemployment communication system confronted by a six-fold increase in applications due to the COVID -19 emergency.

"Those who previously have been told to call but were not able to get through will have their applications moved forward under the new streamlined process. This will include the hiring of new additional staff and upgrading of the technology with the new system and a new simpler online application form. Hopefully, the new process will make it easier and faster to file an unemployment insurance claim. Now with the new implementation, New Yorkers won't have to wait for hours to reach someone from the Department of Labor. Those who completely fill out the streamlined application will not need to make telephone calls with an unemployment specialist. Thank you, Governor Cuomo, in responding to this crisis with strong leadership under difficult times," Colton stated.

"Already, in the first few days of the new system, our return calls to many of those constituents we were working with has resulted in approvals. Those constituents with continuing problems or questions on this or any other issue can continue to call my district office, which although closed has all telephone messages forwarded to my top-notch staff so we can help you through working from home. Call 718-236-1598 and leave a message with your name, telephone number and a brief description of why you are calling," Colton added.