NY pays off loan, unemployed get higher benefits

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Unemployed New Yorkers are in store for a treat this week. Their weekly benefits check is getting a substantial boost.

The check is in the mail, according to New York State’s Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "You should start seeing that money this week in your check," Reardon said.

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers without a job could collect up to $869 per week.

"This is a huge impact. Imagine it’s $869. That's a lot of extra money a week and that money goes toward rent, it goes toward food, it goes toward medicine and hopefully help you find a new job at the same time," Reardon said.

Gov.Kathy Hochul made the increase possible in her new budget by paying off a nearly $7 billion federal unemployment trust fund loan, bringing the fund to solvency.

Even those who won't qualify for the new highest rate will see increases in their weekly unemployment checks.

"Your rate is determined by your work history, how much money you earned in a particular time and it’s a complicated formula and it's very individual," Reardon said.

The increase in benefits comes at the same time as the government shutdown has impacted 115,000 federal employees in New York State, leaving them without paychecks.

"Anybody who has been furloughed in New York should open their claims and they will get this benefit," Reardon advises.

Mario Cilento is President of the New York State AFL-CIO, which represents two and a half million union workers in the state. He applauds the Governor for making the higher benefits possible. "This is fantastic for workers throughout the state. It's tangible, it makes a real difference in lives of anyone who has lost their jobs through no fault of their own."

If you’re already collecting benefits, you don’t have to do anything.  You will see the increase in your next check.  If you want to know what your benefits might be with the new increase, you can reach the state Department of Labor and a calculator will figure it out for you.