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NYS Unemployment Insurance & Federal CARES Act

Please see the important information attached/below about Unemployment Insurance and the federal CARES Act…

The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers. Here’s what you need to know.

What you should do:

  • Do nothing. Your benefits will be updated automatically.
    (Please do not call; it will only make it difficult for others to reach an agent.)
    What you may qualify to receive:
  • 26 weeks of UI benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)
  • An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks..

If You Are Filing a New UI Claim:

What you should do:

  • Apply online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin
  • What you may qualify to receive:
  • 26 weeks of UI benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)
  • An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks..

If You Are Not Traditionally Eligible for UI Benefits:

What you should do:

If You’ve Exhausted 26 Weeks of Benefits After 7/1/2019:

What you should do:

What you may qualify to receive:

  • 13 weeks of benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)


More Information:

  • See Frequently Asked Questions About UI During the Coronavirus Emergency< https://labor.ny.gov/ui/coronavirus-faq.shtm>
  • To apply for UI benefits, file on these days:
    Filing for UI benefits is 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 Thurs-Fri-Sat