Photo Credit: Denis Vermenko
You can keep money coming during the Coronavirus crisis by filing for unemployment insurance.
What is Unemployment Insurance?
Unemployment insurance (also known as UI) is a program that provides temporary cash benefits to employees who lose their jobs. If you have worked in New York State within the last 18 months and lost your job through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for UI.
What is the maximum benefit I can receive through Unemployment Insurance?
A person’s benefit rate is based on the recent wages they received from their employer(s). The current maximum weekly benefit rate is $504.
How do I apply for Unemployment Insurance?
You can file a claim by visiting www.labor.ny.gov/signin. You can also call the Telephone Claim Center at 888-209-8124. Due to larger than normal call volume, NY State is strongly encouraging individuals who wish to file a claim to first visit the website, if possible.
To apply for UI benefits, file on these days based on your last name:
A – F file on Monday | G – N file on Tuesday | O – Z file on Wednesday
Missed your day? File on Thursday, Friday or Saturday
Already Approved for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
If You Are Already Approved for UI Benefits, you have nothing to do except continue to certify weekly. Your benefits will be updated automatically. You may qualify to receive 39 weeks of UI benefits and an additional $600/week until 7/31/2020 with payments beginning 4/5/2020.
Filing a New Unemployment Insurance Claim
If You Are Filing a New UI Claim, apply online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin. You can also call the Telephone Claim Center at 888-209-8124. Due to larger than normal call volume, NY State is strongly encouraging individuals who wish to file a claim to first visit the website, if possible. You may qualify to receive for 39 weeks of UI benefits and an additional $600/week until 7/31/2020 with payments beginning 4/5/2020.
Not Traditionally Eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
If You Are Not Traditionally Eligible for UI Benefits, check your eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.
You are eligible if:
– You are diagnosed with COVID-19 or with COVD-19 symptoms and seeking diagnosis
– A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19
– You are providing care for family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19
– You are a primary caregiver for child unable to attend school or another facility closed due to COVID-19
– You are unable to reach place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because advised by medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
– You are scheduled to commence new employment and cannot reach workplace as direct result of COVID-19
– You became major breadwinner because head of household died from COVID-19
– You quit job as a direct result of COVID-19
– Your place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19
– You are self-employed / Independent Contractors / 1099 filers / Farmers – and affected by COVID-19
– You are seeking part-time employment but affected by COVID-19
– You are with insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19
– You are otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19
If you believe you are eligible, apply online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin. You may qualify to receive 39 weeks of PUA benefits and an additional $600/week until 7/31/2020 with payments beginning 4/5/2020.
Have Exhausted 26 Weeks of Benefits
If You’ve Exhausted 26 Weeks of Benefits After 7/1/2019, you should apply online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin. You may qualify to receive 13 weeks of benefits and an additional $600/week until 7/31/2020 with payments beginning 4/5/2020.
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