Categories
Money

New York Unemployment Extensions – 13 More Weeks Of Extended Benefits?

Please note the comments are closed on this post because of technical difficulties. The discussion has been moved to this post.

[update on May 12  New York extends unemployment by 13 weeks]
[update on May 19 – Unemployment bill to extend EB by 13 weeks has been passed by legislature].

The state of New York has been hit pretty hard by the current economic climate and unemployment levels have been rising.  As a result of these  high unemployment rates New York state has qualified for unemployment benefit extensions which were introduced as part of the 2009 stimulus package.

Unemployment benefits currently available in New York

At the moment there are a total of 59 weeks of unemployment available to New Yorkers:

  • 26 weeks – These are the regular unemployment benefits which are available regardless of the economy.
  • 33 weeks – This is Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) which is made up of a 20 week segment followed by a 13 week segment.  Emergency benefits will be paid by the same method as the regular benefits (direct deposit or check).

Will there be another 13 weeks of extended benefits?

The state government including Gov. David A. Paterson, is currently working on this extension which would involve about $645 million of federal money along with state money for funding.  The reason for the delay is that New York, along with several other states have laws which need changing in order to accept the federal funding.  If the legislation is passed it will provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to approximately 120,000 New Yorkers for a total of 72 weeks of unemployment benefits.

429 replies on “New York Unemployment Extensions – 13 More Weeks Of Extended Benefits?”

There isn’t any reason for New York not to vote yes on this bill to extend unemployment since it will not cost New York anything. As it is NY is one of the lowest paying states and one of the most expensive states to live in..Get with signing of the bill..it’s time!!!!!!!!

May 7

Senate Bill “S 4110” – sponsored by Senator George Onorato of Queens, at the behest of the Governor as a “Program Bill” – is being reveiwed by Analysts in Senate Finance Committee (and the Assembly Labor I think, so they are being proactive about agreeing on language and expediting Bill if it gets through Finance), so it can be voted on in full Senate. But many legislators are not keen on the Bill, from a Public Dole perspective, and they may be worried about “temporary” law changes, and unemploymetn rate “triggers” that kick-in to enable the extensions. Plus, many unemployed workers are still on their Regular 26 weeks of benefits – or their 1st set of Emergency Benefits (they too are entitled to 33 weeks, plus 26, I believe).

Senate Finance meets next Tuesday to consider Bill, so CALL – Emails are futile – your State Senator and Aseemblyman. And Onorato, since he sponsored it. And Kruger in Brooklyn. Last “emergency benefit” payment to 56,000 New Yorkers is on May 17, and EACH week after that 8,000 more get their final payment. Big Numbers, Free Fed $.

Good morning, I am one of the 56,000 who will lose my benefits next week and believe me I have been everywhere looking for any type of job. I have been trying to follow s4110 since 4/13 when Gov introduce. Haven’t seen anything in news or internet on it since then. One article in Syracuse paper and one in Albany paper back in April. I thought this would go through with no problem, but it is almost a month already it has been in finance committee since 4/20, actually more people are on extended benefits than regular, and by end of summer over 150,000 New Yorkers will be without benefits. I hope what you say is true and they are working on it, however, I think most of their energy was spent on MTA agreement. I think this is not going to pass, the business community is dead set against it. NJ< CT, and PA along with 30 other states already have adopted these benefits, NJ is going to get 20 weeks, Most northeast states including Mass, NJ, PA, etc jumped on this money back in Feb when stimulus went through, NY didn’t even mention it until april 13, long passed NJ, CT and PA accepted it. Something is wrong here which leads met believe this will not go through. Go to NELP website there is a linked to states with EB and effective date, even FL and Ga have EB, like I said I don’t feel encouraged by NY’s reluctance to do this.

I’m grateful to be able to stay apprised of developments through this website, and now happy to contribute something. Here is where things are as of Thursday afternoon:

S-4110 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for review. The Committee meets on alternate Tuesdays, though it now appears that they’re meeting every Tuesday as they met on May 5 and are meeting again on May 12. The Committee agenda is set by the office of the Chair of the committee, Senator Carl Kreuger. According to the person I spoke with in his office, S-4110 is NOT on the agenda for Tuesday. However, that could change. NOW is the time to call Sen. Kreuger’s office to encourage the Finance Committee to review the bill in their next meeting. Kreuger’s office number in Albany is (518) 455-2460.

Sarah in Senator George Oronato’s office is extremely helpful and astute about the way things work in Albany. She is compiling letters from unemployed New Yorkers to support the Senator’s sponsorship of S-4110, and encouraged me to write. Please write to your state senator, assemblyman AND Senator George Oronato at 310 Legislative Office Bldg, Albany, NY 12247. The phone number for Oronato’s Albany office is (518) 455-3486.

Letters really are the only means of making your voice heard. Emails and phone calls are supposedly “tracked”, but a letter will be treated with seriousness. Now that the perpetual debate over NY’s inflated property taxes has once again resurfaced, there is a real danger of the unemployment issue being overshadowed. Why these legislator’s don’t understand that people without incomes cannot pay their mortgages OR their property taxes eludes my rational mind.

Sorry, but I realize that I wasn’t entirely clear. Senator Oronato’s address in Albany is 310 Legislative Office Building. If you’re writing to the representative from your district, it will be a different address.

Thanks Jennifer for keeping us appraised of the situation, hopefully they will place the Bill on the docket for this Tuesday.

To push for exteneded benefits that will expire on May 17, 2009, please call (518) 455-2460 (Senator Carl Kreuger’s office) and (518) 455-3486 (George Oronato?s office).

I will call tomorrow, but like I said I am getting very discouraged about this, I can’t believe we are the only state in the northeast that hasn’t signed onto EB, what is wrong with NYS, I’ll be homeless by the end of June, 2 weeks of unemployment and they won;t even cover my june rent, as it is I have no cable or house phone, my con ed is way overdue and the only reason I have a cell phone it becaue my daughter pays for it. what a mess, tomorrow I am going to every store, restuarant and fast food joint in westchester, I can not be without a check every week, I had to give up my car, couldn’t afford the insurance anymore, what a position to be in at my age.

I spoke with someone in Senator Krueger’s office and she said that they’re meeting next week on it and will push it through so that the people’s whose extension expires on May 17 will continue on. We’ll see I suppose but we really should make those calls.

I know that in a previous email someone mentioned that we should write letter vs call and sending emails because of emails and calls being tracked, but I would not worry too much about that because we’re really at the critical point and they’re expecting folks to call and write emails anyway…. besides, if they’re meeting next week to vote this extension through, letters will not reach them on time so thanks to modern technology we do have the option of calling and emailing, but we should definitely write letters as well.

You’re right Sandy, been through this before, have to keep bugging them, they have to see the urgency, hopefully they will come to their senses, let’s see what Tuesday brings.

National Employment Law Project is going to Albany on Tuesday, May 12th. Will be meeting at the AFL-CIO Conference Room at 11:00am before heading out to meet with various elected officials for the day. All transportation costs (train/subway, travel to Albany) will be covered, and meals will be provided. If you are leaving from the NYC area, we will provide transportation from our office, leaving at 8am. Contact Christine, at criordan@nelp.org or 212.285.3025 ext.302, if you are able to attend or would like more information. Go to http://nelp.3cdn.net/83962940bb8c022723_osm6bxsvb.pdf for more information.

I recieved an e-mail from NELP this morning, they are having a rally in Albany next tuesday 5/12, in support of the federal extension, if you are downstate they offer free transportation, additionally they will be giving out lunch etc. The National Employment Law Project has been working hard to get us our extension and also to get the maximun unemployment raised in NYS, if possible try to make it, you can go to thier website http://www.nelp.org for more information

here is a contact name and number for the rally criordan@nelp.org or 212.285.3025 ext.302 she can arrange transportation from manhattan or explain where to meet and how to get reimbursed for travel costs etc

HI everyone!!!I’m also another one who’s checks run out the 17th. I’m a single mom with three kids trying to finish my degree and better myself. But each semester I find it harder and harder to go on, I find myself further and further in the hole each semester. My ex was in a bad accident so I don’t receive child support. I believe it will be impossible to finish my degree, which I graduate in December,–(1 more semester-yea!!) without this extension. I so want to finish my degree to give me and my children the great life we very much deserve.PLEASE PASS THIS EXTENSION–It would help all us new york single parents who are trying to better themselves–THANKS–Danielle— From upstate New York

i called sen kreugers office and was told rest assured we are aware of your concerns, i got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, i got the typical political blow off, i will rest assured when the bill is passed and i have a way to pay my bills and hope the job market stabilizes. I am maxed out on unemployment, 405 a week, in order to receive that i was making consierably more, nobody is on easy street with a few hundred dollars a month, it does, however, beat nothing. I’m praying ….

i dont mean to come off like a jerk, the lady who answered was in fact very nice and did try to make me feel at ease, but considering the circumstances it did little to help

Hang in there Joe, Danielle and everyone, got to stay positive, there are 13.7 million out of work now and UI rate is 8.9%, it’s always at the last minute, it’ll pass.

Danielle, hang in there, finish that education take out loans whatever, Pres. Obama was just on TV talking about the same thing, I have been going to school for 3 years at night also have one semester left, however, my kids are grown, I was a single mother with 3 kids myself and i know how tough it is, I am praying for you, I am going to Albany on tuesday with NELP and the AFL-CIO to fight for our extension, can you believe in NYS we have to fight for our benefits, keep that in mind everyone next election day, this should have been done way back in Feb and March when NJ, CT, Mass, PA did it. we shouldn’t be sitting here sweating this out. NY is one of last high unemployment states, and our rate is high close to 8% in March, to act on this extension.

Danielle: Don’t give up your dreams of school!! I was in your situation during 9/11 and I went to school full time — I finally found some work and STILL did full time school — with kids and a husband. I had to take out a couple of loans. But you know what? I got my bachelors and I got my masters. I’m now a licensed New York City teacher. I’m 49 years old. It was hard, but it was worth it. And looking back at what I did, makes me feel so proud of myself. Hang in there. I’m back on this site because my husband was laid off and it losing his benefits next week. I’ll make phone calls today to keep the spirit alive! Good luck all. We need this to pass!

I spoke with Sarah at Senator George Oronato?s office and she suggested writing an email to kruger@senate.state.ny.us. Sarah was very helpful and said that they’re trying to get Senator Kruger’s office to put it on the agenda for next week but when I spoke with Senator Kruger’s office, it would seem that it is still not on the agenda for next Tuesday, but the person that answered the phone added that it might be on a sub-agenda… so basically, I got the brush-off response so the best idea is to send an email because at this point this person may not be even passing the messages along.

It’s all so discouraging – But making those calls and sending out letters …
After 39 weeks (26 weeks regular and 13 weeks EUC) This was my last week apparently – I didn’t even get to the 17th! Zero balance when I go to “Payment History” on the website (and job hunting costs money too).
So what happens to those of us who didn’t get the extension? Do we just go slinking away because they wouldn’t extend it to us?

Natasha, I’m confused, you should get at least another 7 weeks, check with the dept of labor on monday, I don’t think your cut off I know when I went from tier 1 to tier 11 euc it didn’t show any balance for me for about 2 weeks but I just kept certifying and then it caught up, but let me check into this for you.

Natasha, according to the website you are entitled to another 20 weeks of unemployment, like I said it may not say so on your benefits page right now but eventually it will catch up, just call or go on line and try to certify on sunday like usual. Any problems call monday, I know they did this to my friend and it had something to due with her benefit year ending, but she got it straighten out. Keep the faith you are entitled to this money.

We have to send keep sending those emails and making those calls. It’s a lot better than doing nothing.

Natasha,

Im almost certain you are entitled to more benefits…My page also showed a zero balance…but the check still went into my account, and in a few weeks, the page reflected the right balance….

tell everyone you know to send an email to:
kruger@senate.state.ny.us.

I think if enough of us write, it will pass!! lets be positive

Please call (518) 455-2460 (Senator Carl Kruger’s office)
and email him at Kruger@senate.state.ny.us so that
he will sign the request to extend unemployment for
those who will exhaust their benefits on May 17, 2009.
This request was made by Senator George Onorato of Queens.

Senator Kruger (Kruger@senate.state.ny.us) is having a meeting on Tuesday, May 12 to discuss other issues and according to the person in his office the unemployment extension issue is not on the agenda. The request to extend unemployment for those people who will exhaust their benefits on May 17th was made by Senator George Oronato.

hi all..
even if we hit 8.5% and the numbers are out on thursday we will not get an extension until one of the bills are passed …. which may take a while..
we will not automatically receive an extension THE BILL MUST BE PASSED

Good so we are staying here on this , I agree that I hate the idea of clicking on different topics to get all the info i need.

As long as Friday’s NYS figures are 8.2% or better, we will hold ourselves @ 8.5% or higher. NYC is still shedding jobs as we speak.

Local contact for Charles Rangel:

(212) 663-3900

He helped us gain EUC under Bush. Let him know what you are going through.

YES I AGREE…THIS SITE IS MUCH EASIER, SO WHAT IF WE GET A FEW POSERS IN HERE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE! WE CAN WEED THEM OUT, THE OTHER SITE IS TOO CONFUSING. IM STAYING HERE.

I AGREE THIS SITE IS MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY , I AM STAYING HERE TOO! I POSTED THIS FROM UNEMPLOYEDWORKERS.ORG ON THE OTHER SITE BUT FOR THOSE THAT DID NOT SEE IT HERE IT IS AGAIN…

Take Action Now! Fix Jobless Benefits
Demand that Congress Expand Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Over 500,000 Americans are estimated to run out of all of their extended unemployment benefits by September of this year, and by the end of December 2009 a total of 1.5 million will exhaust all assistance.The National Employment Law Project is calling on Congress and the Obama Administration to provide extra weeks of extended benefits to these hard pressed Americans. NELP is asking for an additional 10-20 weeks extension that would help workers in every state.

We need your help to ensure that Congress enacts to expand emergency unemployment compensation as soon as it comes back to work in early September after its summer recess. To take action click here.
Learn about how the end of extended benefits is affecting your state by clicking here.
Volunteer to tell your story to the media by visiting NELP’s worker forum.

For other efforts to fix jobless benefits click on the links on the left hand side bar. Read below for more Extension Campaign updates.

Rep. McDermott Introduces Streamlined Bill, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi Calls for Swift Action on the Extension. (September 11, 2009)

There were several major developments in the extension campaign yesterday. At a news conference, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi came out strongly in favor of swift action on the extension.While the timeline for action is still unclear, there was another important development Monday. Rep. Jim McDermott introduced new legislation HR3548 that would target an immediate extension of 13 extra weeks of benefits to workers living in states with unemployment rates above 8.5%.

This would defer the decision about what packages of extended benefits will be available next year. Both actions reflect the successful efforts by workers and advocates across the country to raise the profile of the issue, including a surge of press around labor day and the increase in the unemployment rate to 9.7%.

Labor Federation Supports 10-20 Weeks for All Workers (Updated August 21, 2009)
Last week, in a letter to Congress, the AFL-CIO spelled out the grim situation that many jobless Americans are dealing with in the face of the recession and unemployment crisis. They?ve called on Congress to act swiftly on behalf of the large number of unemployed workers that will run out of their benefits by September. In an important step for our campaign, the AFL-CIO threw its weight behind the call for additional weeks of extended benefits in all 50 states, with 20 weeks going to the highest unemployment states.

Momentum Building for the Extension (August 13, 2009)
Before Congress left for its summer recess, momentum swiftly built for the extension. Appearing on Fox News, Rep. Rangel and Republican Senator DeMint agreed that Congress should extend benefits. After Rangel called extending benefits “right” and “moral,” DeMint agreed that Democrats and Republicans “need to take care of those who are unemployed” and that “we’ll definitely support that.”

The action reached a peak on Friday August 7, with the release of July Jobs report that showed that long-term joblessness was at an all time high. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged that Senator Reid, as reported in Reuters, pledged that “there is an economic case to be made for extending unemployment benefits,” and that “soon after Congress returns to Washington we’ll need to address this matter.” Presidential spokesperson Robert Gibbs also acknowledged the record long-term unemployment figures, acknowledged the cutoff of benefits and that “we’ve got a lot of work to do.” To read about all of the growing support for the extension click here.

Two pieces of legislation have been introduced. Representative Jim McDermott has introduced the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009, H.R. 3404. The bill would continue important ARRA benefits including the $25 per week federal additional compensation, full federal sharing for EB benefits, and the existing 33 weeks of EUC, through December 31, 2010 and phasing out by June 2011. In addition, the bill would provide 13 weeks of “further additional emergency unemployment compensation” to those states with an unemployment rate above 9.5%. Senator Jack Reed introduced a similar package in the Senate (S. 1647) would provide such benefits to states with a three months average unemployment rate of 8.5%.

New York Times Cover Story Spurs Nationwide Attention on Extended Benefits (August 2, 2009)
On August 2, the New York Times ran a front-page story featuring NELP’s report that 1.5 million Americans will exhaust their federal extended unemployment benefits by the end of December 2009. The story created a surge of media attention including coverage on CBS Evening News, MSNBC, CNN and sparked new activity in Congress.

Hi SUSANNY…. i couldnt get that other site to work for me…..I’m glad you’re back here with all of us…..you always post the best info

That NELP article is confusing. Just the first part is really applicable. The part about 9.5% is not current.

WELL THE ARTICLE I POSTED DID CLEARLY SAY PELOSI IS FOR ANOTHER UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE…..ARENT THEY SUPPOSED TO BE STARTING SOMETHING TOMORROW? I WONDER IF ITS GONNA BE ON C PAN CUZ I HEARD ITS AT TEN AM. TONI…THANKS..THAT OTHER BOARD WAS TOO CONFISING TOO MANY NEW NAMES WHO KNOWS WHO? AT LEAST HERE WE KNOW EACH OTHER, AND WE CAN PICK OUT THE POSERS WHEN WE HAVE TO.

NOW WHEN I POST IN HERE SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESNT…I THINK TOMORROW AT TEN THEY ARE GOING TO START SOMETHING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT. I AM JUST WONDERING IF IT WILL BE ON C SPAN. DOES ANYONE KNOW?

I called up today. I was told that the Finance Committee is having a hearing with state officials tomorrow @ 10am to discuss options on unemployment extensions. I am not sure if they will discusss specific bills or just be commenting on the overall climate.

We should all let then know the long-term unemployment is at unheard of levels. They can be reached @:

(202) 224-4515.

what’s on deck for tomorrow? seems like they’re voting for the 9+% unemployment rate right? meaning NY will be left behind? please tell me different! I think all states should be getting a 13 week extension!

I KNOW I CLAIM MY LAST CHECK ON THE 4TH OF OCT SO I HOPE THEY GET THIS DONE WITHIN 3-4 WEEKS OR SOONER! I HAVE WRITTEN TO EVERYONE POSSIBLE, NOW ITS OUT OF OUR HANDS. BUT I AM THINKING POSETIVE, BECAUSE IF PELOSI SAID SHE IS FOR IT, I THINK IT IS GONNA GET DONE! JUST PRAY NY DOESNT GO BELOW 8.5 PERCENT. WHICH I DON’T THINK IT WILL, I WILL BE SHOCKED IF IT DOES BECAUSE BUSINESSES ARE STILL CLOSING AND JOBS ARE STILL BEING LOST MORE THAN MADE..

I’ve written everyone I can think of and made calls also…..so, is tomorrow the day we will know more? Im starting to get nervous now

FROM WHAT I POSTED ITS THE BILL WITH 8.5 PERCENT THEY ARE LOOKING AT…IF ITS A 9 PERCENT BILL TOO MANY STATES WILL BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD…IT WONT WORK, NOT FOR ME ANYWAY! I THINK ITS S. 1647

Comments are closed.