Expanded Unemployment Benefits Available to Many

New York will backdate unemployment claims and many residents will become eligible for other benefits under the stimulus bill passed by the US Congress last week.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday that workers will get financial compensation in the event they, or their minor dependent child, are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19. The extra benefits fall under the Pandemic Unemployment Act that applies to those who have lost jobs because of the Covid-19 epidemic.

See Guidance For Obtaining An Order For Mandatory Or Precautionary Quarantine.

Most employees will get financial compensation by using a combination of benefits, which may include new employer-provided paid sick leave (depending on the size of the employer), Paid Family Leave and disability benefits. These benefits are not available to employees who are able to work through remote access or other means.

The Labor Department has extended filing hours to accommodate the surge in new filers: 

Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 7:30 pm.
Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Saturday, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm.

The state has a slideshow explaining some of the new benefits. 

COVID-19 Resources

 

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