Please be aware that under the CARES Act, New York State has expanded Unemployment Insurance Benefits related to COVID-19 to provide additional benefits and allow additional categories traditionally not covered. The following information gives a brief summary of the main benefits offered and links to pertinent information to help you apply from the NYS Department of Labor website.

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed a law that provides additional Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19.

The normal one-week waiting has been waived under these guidelines. 

Please see the attached flowchart on benefits available.

• Regular Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UI)– which includes additional pandemic unemployment and emergency unemployment compensation.’

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) –  This new law provides: Extended eligibility for individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for UI benefits (e.g., self-employed workers, independent contractors)

• Pandemic Unemployment Compensation – An additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits, to all UI recipients; and,

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation – An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits, beyond the regular 26 weeks already provided, for a total of 39 weeks of coverage.

Answers to many of your frequently asked questions can be found on the NYS Department of Labor updated FAQs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any additional assistance.