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. This new law provides: 

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance –  This includes Unemployment Assistance for people who usually aren’t eligible, including drivers like you.; 
• Pandemic Unemployment Compensation – An additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits, to all UI and PUA recipients (Drivers Benefits note: This expired on July 26th); and, 
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation – An additional 13 weeks of UI and PUA benefits, beyond the regular 26 weeks already provided, for a total of 39 weeks of coverage.

Drivers Benefits Note: There are some steps you will have to do before receiving money from the government. We are here to help you during every step of the way. 

These are the steps you have to take to receive money (detailed help follows):

1. Create a NY.gov ID
2. Apply for New York State Unemployment Insurance & Pandemic Unemployment Assistance on one form
3. Wait for a call from a representative of New York State Department of Labor
4. Regardless of receiving a call, you should ALWAYS certify your benefits each Sunday 

Under their new application, , you will be automatically directed to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance application.

Once the New York State Department of Labor approves your claim, you can expect this money in 2-3 weeks.

If you filled out an older version of the application, DO NOT RE-APPLY. This is one of the biggest reasons why payments are being delayed. As frustrating and difficult as it is, the Department of Labor wants you to wait until they get in touch with you.

As we learn more from drivers’ experiences filling out this form and any updates from the New York State Department of Labor, we will update this page.

Department of Labor has launched an updated, streamlined online application that allows New Yorkers to apply for either traditional Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, depending on their eligibility. You do not have to complete a separate application for PUA.**

Drivers Benefits Note:  Our guide for applying for PUA can be found on this page by clicking here.

** This answer is from a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ, which can be found here.

Your benefit rate is based on your recent wages. In New York, the current maximum weekly benefit rate is $504. The minimum PUA benefit rate is 50% of the average weekly benefit amount in New York. For January 27, 2020 – March 31, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $172. For April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $182.

Yes. PUA benefits will include an additional $600 per week until July 26, 2020.

Drivers Benefits note: This has expired.

No, there is no weeklong wait period for PUA.

Drivers Benefits Note:  A lot of these questions talk about “employment” or being “unemployed”. The law is extending a lot of these benefits to independent contractors for workers like drivers for black car services like Uber, Lyft, and Vital.

PUA benefits may cover periods of unemployment up to 39 weeks.

Drivers Benefits Note: According to a new Department of Labor Guidance on April 5th, PUA benefits may be available up to 39 weeks, pending “if an emergency state or municipal order restricting movement makes continued operations unsustainable.” In other words, we don’t know if when the PAUSE order by Governor Cuomo is rescinded, that drivers will no longer be eligible for PUA.

We will update this section as more information becomes available.

Yes, PUA benefits can be paid retroactively for periods of unemployment, beginning on or after January 27, 2020

The additional $600 per week benefit ends July 31, 2020.

The additional $600 per week payment will not be counted towards your income eligibility for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Unemployment insurance (also known as UI) provides temporary cash benefits to employees who have lost 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.

Currently, most self-employed individuals and independent contractors working in New York State are not authorized to obtain unemployment insurance benefits. However, self-employed individuals and independent contractors may be eligible for benefits under PUA. PUA is available for individuals who would normally not be eligible for regular unemployment benefits but are unable to work because of COVID-19. PUA is available for periods of unemployment between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The maximum benefit rate is $504, the same as the maximum benefit rate for regular unemployment insurance benefits. The minimum PUA rate is calculated by USDOL, quarterly, as 50% of the average weekly benefit amount in each state. For January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $172. For April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $182.

While you are only eligible for unemployment insurance benefits if you are able and available to work, under PUA you can receive benefits if you are the primary caregiver for a child whose school or care facility closed due to COVID-19. PUA is available for periods of unemployment between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The minimum PUA benefit rate is 50% of the average weekly benefit amount in New York. For January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $172. For April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020, the minimum benefit rate is $182. The maximum benefit rate is $504, the same as the maximum benefit rate for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

If you are eligible for UI, your first payment will generally be made in two to three weeks from the time you file your claim. In some cases, additional information must be obtained before payment can be made and your first payment may take longer. We use this time to review and process your application for benefits. You will not receive benefits during this period. Continue to claim weekly benefits as long as you are unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements. Also, check your mail and respond to any questionnaires or phone calls from DOL, right away, to prevent delays in your payments. If you are found eligible, you will receive any back weeks of benefits owed with your first payment. You will receive your benefits via direct deposit or bank debit card.

For every day that you report that you worked, even if you didn’t make any money that day, you will lose ¼ of your Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for that week. If you work more than three days, you will lose all of your Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for that week, as well as Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (the extra $600). 

One way you can consider if working is right for you is by thinking how much you will earn from Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. 

For example, if you get $500 per week from UI or PUA, plus $600 from PUC, you will ultimately earn $1,100 each week. 

For the first three days you work, you will lose $125 each day from UI or PUA that week, but keep the $600 from PUC. Working on one of those days may be worthwhile if you will earn more than $125. 

But if you work that fourth day, you will lose the last $125 in UI or PUA plus the whole $600 in PUC.  That’s $725 you’ll give up by working that fourth day!

*This question is not asked on the NYS Department of Labor FAQ, this is an addition by Drivers Benefits. This question and answer does not constitute legal or professional advice.

You should first read our Frequently Asked Questions above to make sure you understand the program and how it will help you.

Before getting to the application page, you will need a NY.gov ID. 

If you have never made a NY.gov ID and have never applied for New York State Unemployment Insurance, please click this how-to guide by New York State.

If you have created a NY.gov ID with a different state agency, like the DMV, please use this how-to guide by New York State.

If you are having trouble creating your NY.gov ID, we recommend going to this link for more guides on how to resolve your problem.

You can apply for New York State Unemployment Insurance online and over the phone. Due to high demand, the New York State Department of Labor is strongly recommending doing this online.

The link online is unemployment.labor.ny.gov 

The phone number is 888-209-8124. There are translation services available in dozens of languages. Again, wait times may be very high.

The New York State Department of Labor is requesting people file on certain days based on the first letter of your last name. 

Below are the times the web portal is available and which days last names should apply:

Monday, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm: A-F

Tuesday, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm: G-N

Wednesday, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm: O-Z

Thursday, 7:30 am – 7:30 pm: anybody

Friday, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm: anybody 

Saturday, all day: anybody

Sunday, 12 am – 7 pm: anybody

For the phone service, they are available:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm

Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm

DO NOT RE-APPLY. They have received your application, and will get in touch with you if they need anything. Sending multiple applications is one of the biggest reasons why there is a backlog.

When filling out the New York State Unemployment Insurance form, the New York State Department of Labor will tell you to have the following documents and information ready:

• Valid New York State driver’s license or Non-Driver Photo Identification Card number (if you have either one)
• Your complete mailing address and zip code
• Telephone number where a representative can contact you between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday
• Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer (FEIN may be found on your W-2 forms), if you have it.

Drivers Benefits Note: As a self-employed independent contractor, you will want to have your 1099 and 1040 forms (Line 31 of Schedule C of the 1040 will be asked for later).

• Complete name, address, zip code and phone number of your most recent employer

Drivers Benefits Note: We have noticed on the new application that this is not actually needed.

• Alien Registration card number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen)
• If you are unable to print, have a pen and paper available to write down important information 
• If you choose to have a direct deposit of your weekly benefits, you must have a check handy to enter your bank routing and checking account numbers.

Drivers Benefits Note: The Department of Labor has said that direct deposit will lead to receiving your money sooner.

After you go to unemployment.labor.ny.gov, you need to click “Login”. This will then produce a pop-up of the NY.gov ID login screen. 

Drivers Benefits Note: Make sure your ad-blocker is disabled so the pop-up appears.

Once you log-in successfully, the screen will say “NY.gov Login successful. You are logged in as: (NY.gov ID username)”

Click “Continue” to access the beginning of the application.

You will then see a page about “Filing a New Claim”. Read this page and then click “New Claim”. This will start your application.

You need to answer the application questions as truthfully as possible. We have tried to provide context and insights into some questions that may be confusing for drivers who are applying for the first time. Ultimately, you must answer the questions as accurately as possible. This section does not constitute legal or professional advice.

To begin the application, the Department of Labor will prompt you with a screen that asks for your telephone number. Fill that out, and click next.

From there, you will then be asked to insert your Social Security Number. Fill that out, and click next. 

From there, you will have to create a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) and write your Mother’s Maiden Name. Fill that out and click next.

You will then get to a page titled “Personal Circumstance”. This will ask the following questions:

“1. This week, beginning Monday mo/day/year, how many days have you worked?” There is a drop down menu that can let you fill out anywhere between 0 days to 7 days. 

Drivers Benefits Note: The NYS Department of Labor Claimant Handbook (updated in March 2020) defines “work” as including “All activity related to self-employment or freelance work” even if you didn’t get paid.  That means if you are driving to cover your expenses, like to make a car loan payment, but didn’t have any left over for income, you still have to tell them you worked that day.

“2. This week, beginning Monday mo/day/year, were your gross earnings more than $504?” Yes or no.

Drivers Benefits Note: The NYS Department of Labor Claimant Handbook (updated in March 2020) states that  “This does not include any money earned in self-employment.” 

In other words, money earned as a driver operating as a self-employed driver should not be included.

“3. What was the last day that you worked?”

Drivers Benefits Note: We are not sure about how to answer this question. This can be answered either the last day you drove your car for a ride hailing app, or the last day work was unaffected by COVID-19 which would cover more days. 

When you receive a call from a representative of the Department of Labor, please ask them what this means for a driver. This will be useful and help protect you, since the calls are recorded, and will also help us understand how the department is defining this question. You may ask by saying, “I am a self-employed driver who uses ride-hailing apps. When you ask about the ‘last day worked’ on the application, I was not sure what to put. Was it the last day I drove on the app, or the last day driving became unsustainable because of COVID-19” Please tell us what they said at help@driversbenefits.org Thanks!

“4. Are you filling this claim because your workplace closed, you were isolated or you were quarantined due to COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus? Yes or no

Drivers Benefits Note: For a driver, this question is asking if COVID-19  made your driving operations unsustainable to continue.

“5. Did you work in New York State in the last 18 months?” Yes or no“6. Do you currently live in New York State?” Yes or no.

When you answer the questions, click “Next” to go to the next page.

The next page will be Personal Information (Part 1)

“1. Your Name: First name, middle initial, last name” They will also ask for your email address.

“2. Any other last name under which you worked during the last 18 months?” 

There will be a square underneath the box where you can check off “I did not work under any other name during the last 18 months

“3. Date of Birth”

“4. New York State Driver’s License or the number of your NYS Non-Driver Photo ID”

“5. How many employers have you worked for in the past 18 months?” 

Drivers Benefits Note: If you consider yourself self-employed and did not do any traditional work that led you to receiving a W-2, “0” indicates you are self-employed. 

Once answering those questions, click “Next”

You will next go to a page that says “Personal Information (Part 2)’ This will ask for

“1. Your Mailing Address”

“2. Telephone (including area code)”

“3. What is your Gender?”

“4. Are you a veteran?” Yes or no

“5. Are you a citizen of the U.S.?” Yes or no. If you’re not, you will be prompted to enter your Alien Registration Number (numbers after the letter ‘A’)

“6. Would you like for us to hold 10% of your weekly Unemployment Insurance benefits for Federal taxes?”  Yes or no

“7. Would you like for us to hold 2.5% of your weekly Unemployment Insurance benefits for State taxes?” Yes or no

“8. Would you like to register to vote or make changes to your current voter registration?” Yes or no

“9. Ethnicity”

“10. Race”

“11. Are you a person with a disability?”

Answer those questions and then click “Next”

This will then bring you to a page called “Earnings”

“Was all the money you earned in 2019 and up until today in 2020 from running your own business?” Yes or no

If you click no, this next question will appear: “Was all the money you earned in 2019 and up until today in 2020 from being self-employed?” Yes or no

After answering that question, click “Next”

That will bring you to the “Telework and Paid Leave” page.

It will ask:

“Are you able to telework for the same hours of your customary job?” Yes or no

Drivers Benefits Note: This question is asking if you were offered the opportunity to telework your normal hours during the pandemic. Since drivers cannot work from home, the answer is no unless you have another job.

If you say no, you will then be asked “Are you receiving paid leave, including sick pay, for more than your customary work week?” Yes or no

Drivers Benefits Note: We are currently looking into whether receiving financial assistance from Uber or Lyft constitutes this. As of this moment, we do not know.

After this set of questions are answered, click “Next”

You will then be brought to the “Availability” page. It will ask:

“Are you only seeking part-time employment? Yes or no

“Are you unemployed for COVID-19, but otherwise able to and available to work? Yes or no 

Drivers Benefits Note: This question is asking if you are able and available to work if there was not COVID-19. 

Answer those questions, click “Next”. 

You will then be sent to the “Benefit Payment Details” page, where you will be asked:

“Do you want to receive your benefits by direct deposit or debit card?” You will have a drop down menu to choose either. If you choose “Direct Deposit”, you will be asked your 9-Digit Bank Routing Number and your Checking Account Number.

Drivers Benefits Note: We have heard it is recommended to apply with Direct Deposit, since your money will come sooner. 

Fill out the questions and click “Next”. 

You will then be brought to the “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” page. You will be asked:

“Name of the business/Employer name” 

Drivers Benefits Note: If you consider yourself self-employed, then “self-employed” is an acceptable answer. 

“Employer Registration Number or FEIN Self-Employed – the EF# is 99-23246”

Drivers Benefits Note: We believe that the application is saying, for self-employed, the number is 99-23246. You should also be able to put your SSN# if you are a citizen and consider yourself self-employed. 

“What was your annual net income for your most recently filed tax year?” 

It says “You can get this information from Line 31 of Schedule C of your federal 1040 form. You will be required to provide a copy of that form within 21 days of your application.”

After filling this out, click “Next”

You will then be brought to the “Weekly Certification” page. It will ask you to certify for weeks you listed as not working. It will ask:

“Including self-employment, did you work the week of 4/20/20-4/26/20?” Yes or no

Drivers Benefits Note: The NYS Department of Labor Claimant Handbook (updated in March 2020) defines “work” (pg 20) as including “All activity related to self-employment” even if you didn’t get paid. 

In other words, you must say the amount of days that you worked on the app, and did any work related to your business/self-employment.

“Not including what you earned from self-employment, did you earn more than $504, before taxes?” Yes or no

“Did you refuse any job offer or job referral for any reason other than the following?

• Personal or family illness due to COVID-19
• Lack of childcare during the closure of a school or facility due to COVID-19
• Quarantine restrictions issued by authorities or a medical provider

Yes or no”

“Federal Law provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance if you are unable to work for the following reasons:

• Diagnosed with COVID-19• Being tested for COVID-19
• Member of household was diagnosed with COVID-19
• Caring for someone diagnosed with COVID-19
• Caring for a child or other person who is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed due to COVID-19
• Can’t reach place of employment due to a quarantine imposed by authorities
• Can’t reach place of employment due to a self-quarantine ordered by a medical provider
• Workplace closed due to COVID-19
• Became the primary breadwinner of the household because the head of the household died of COVID-19
• Scheduled to start work but don’t have a job due to COVID-19
• Quit a job because of COVID-19

Other than for these reasons, were there any other days that you were not ready, willing, or able to work? Yes or no“

Drivers Benefits Note: This is asking if you were not ready, willing, or able to work for any reason not listed above. “Workplace closed due to COVID-19” is the reason many drivers are not working, so for many drivers, this answer should be “No”

“How many days did you receive sick leave or other paid leave benefits?”

Fill out the answers and click “Next”

You will then be brought to a “Review Your Claim” section, where you will see your previous answers. You must verify the information is true and accurate.

Once you check the box verifying it, click “Submit” to submit your application.

No, you do not. With the new application, you no longer have to call the Department of Labor. They will call you within 72 hours. 

Someone may call you from their claims center. If someone from 518-704-2704 calls, you should pick up; it is their number. 

Drivers Benefits Note: Make sure to pick up numbers that pop up on your phone as “Private” since many workers are telecommuting, and thus, their numbers will appear “Private”

The New York State Department of Labor representative will identify themselves by providing the date you filed your Unemployment Insurance application and the type of claim you filed.

From what we understand, they will call within 72 hours to verify information on your application and to see if your application has any missing information. 

The New York State Department of Labor says you should be prepared with:

• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License
• Mailing Address and Zip Code
• Phone Number
• Alien Registration Card Number
• Names and Business Addresses of Your Self-Employment
• Employee Registration Number or Federal Employee Identification Number
• Net Annual Income from your most recent filed tax year (Line 31 of Schedule C of your 1040 tax form)

Do not worry, they will call you back. Please make sure to answer phone calls from “Private” numbers to avoid any further delays.

You have two options:

1) Online: Go to labor.ny.gov/signin. Enter your NY.gov username and password. Click on the envelope icon at the top right corner of the page. This will bring you to your message inbox. Click on the menu button (the square with three lines). Select “Compose New.” Select Subject: “Certifications and Payments.” Select Second Subject: “I made a mistake when I certified for benefits. How do I correct it?” In the body of the message, explain the mistake. 

2)  Telephone: Call our Telephone Claims Center Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 888-209-8124. Interpreters are available for most languages; press 9 for an interpreter.

Due to high volume on the phone lines, it may be easier to use the web portal. If you haven’t been called yet by the Department of Labor, you may also be able to tell them when you talk to them.

Yes. The Department of Labor has recently updated their communication system. They will email or text you when:

1. You submit a claim.
2. You can certify weekly
3. Your claim can be paid

We encourage you to continue to check your Spam folder.

Starting on July 6th, the Department of Labor has also texted claimants who are missing certifications. Look for the DocuSign text & respond via the secure form in the link to get your backdated benefits as quickly as possible.

Yes, we highly recommend checking your message portal for messages. 

In order to access messages from your NY Gov ID account, you have to:

Log in with your NY Gov ID to my.ny.gov 

Click “Labor Online Services”

Click “Go to My Inbox” right below “Messages”

Yes, the Department of Labor has started to use DocuSign to help people get backdated payments. You should respond to these documents as soon as possible. 

If you are concerned about security, you should click here to see what DocuSign says about detecting threats. The New York Department of Labor has also released a FAQ about using DocuSign here.

In an older version of the PUA application, applicants had to upload documents. We did not see this in the latest available application. We don’t know the answer to this question yet.

Yes, you should make sure to certify your benefits every Sunday, even if you haven’t heard from them yet.

You first go to and sign-in using your NY Gov ID: my.ny.gov

After logging in, go to “Labor Online Services”. This will bring you to a new page.

From there, scroll down to “Unemployment Insurance”. 

Click “Unemployment Services”. This is where you will need to claim your weekly benefits every Sunday for as long as you want to receive benefits.

After that page, you will see a button that reads “Claim Weekly Benefits”. Click this.

After reading the “Benefits Payments” page that pops up, press “Continue”

You should then click “Certify Benefits”.

Every week you certify benefits, you will be asked these questions:

“During the week ending day/month/year, did you refuse any job offer or referral?” Yes or no

“How many days did you work, including self-employment, during the week ending 4/12/2020?” You will see a drop down menu of 0-7.

The NYS Department of Labor Claimant Handbook (updated in March 2020) defines “work” as including “All activity related to self-employment” even if you weren’t paid. 

In other words, you must say the amount of days that you worked on the app, and did any work related to your business.

“Excluding earnings from self-employment, did you earn more than $504?” Yes, No, or N/A

Drivers Benefits Note: They are asking you if you earned more than $504 from work that is not related to being a self-employed driver.

“How many days were you NOT ready, willing, and able to work?” You will see a drop down menu of 0-7

Drivers Benefits Note: As a driver, you should interpret this question as “How many days were you NOT ready, willing, and able to work IF there was not PAUSE/shelter-in-place in New York?” If you would be ready, willing, and able to work if there was not the PAUSE order in New York, you should put “0”.  

“How many days were you owed vacation pay or did you receive vacation pay?” You will see a drop down menu of 0-7

“How many days were you owed holiday pay or did you receive holiday pay?” You will see a drop down menu of 0-7

“Have you returned to work?” Yes or no

Then click “Continue”

From there, you will have a page that will show what you answered. Review your answers, scroll down and then click “Certify Claim.” This means you’ve certified your claim for the week.

You will then see a confirmation page. 

If you want to make sure your benefits go to a Direct Deposit, make sure to click “Direct Deposit” in the middle of the page.

Yes, you should. Generally, you should do what the Department of Labor is telling you to do, and to do it as soon as possible. 

The Department of Labor recently said that if this happens to you, this is because your certification is shifting from UI to PUA.

You will have to go to labor.ny.gov/signin 

After signing in, scroll down to “My Online Services” and select “Unemployment Services”

Click “Update Personal Information” and then select “Update/Register for Direct Deposit” 

At this time, we cannot provide a certain answer. However, we think you may be able to find an update if you go to my.ny.gov and log in with your NY Gov ID. 

From there, click “Labor Online Services”. You should then scroll to the “Unemployment Services” box and then click “View Payment History.” 

“View Payment History” will show you current claim information. We don’t know yet if this will tell you detailed information about your claim being processed.

The Department of Labor says one main reason you will see “pending” is that the department is reviewing and processing your application. As a reminder, your first payment is generally 2-3 weeks from the time you filed your claim. With the amount of new claims each day, unfortunately, we’re aware that some applicants may have a pending status longer than that.

Yes, you do, and do so as quickly as possible. The Department of Labor says “failure to do so will delay your claim or result in the denial or suspension of your benefits.”

The Department of Labor says you will receive a letter, titled “Monetary Determination”, which will tell you your weekly benefit rate, the base period used to establish your claim, and the wages used to calculate your weekly benefit rate.

Although we don’t know what to do with a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance determination, this is the form they provide for unemployment insurance.

The New York Department of Labor said that the deadline for a response is 30 days from the date the letter is postmarked, not the date on the letter.

That means you may submit your response even if you received the determination late or after the deadline had passed.

They also said that if the amount is $0, you should make sure to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance if you haven’t already done so.

No! Do NOT re-apply! This is one of the main reasons why the Department of Labor has a large backlog. This will only make the process longer and more complicated for yourself.

You will receive your money in 2-3 business days, if you’ve chosen direct deposit. If you haven’t received the money in that time period, the Department of Labor is recommending you to call your bank to confirm that a test deposit of zero was made, the bank responded to the test deposit, and to ask what the bank’s processing time is.

If, after speaking with your bank, you believe your funds were misdirected, you should:

• Reset your direct deposit instructions the next time you certify for benefits
• Call the Department of Labor at (888) 209-8124

The Department of Labor said that this depends on your bank, some get it all at once while others get it in different payments.

Yes, the New York Department of Labor will still send you money for the weeks that you applied and were approved for.

The Lost Wages Assistance Program adds $300 per week to New Yorkers who are currently receiving at least $100 per week from either Unemployment Insurance or from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. If you are a driver who is receiving PUA, you should be eligible for this program.

However, at this time, we don’t know when the money will be added to the claimant’s totals, nor for how many weeks in August or September.

Yes. It is unclear how many weeks will ultimately be included, but it seems certain that the extra $300 will be retroactively added for benefit weeks ending on August 2nd, August 9th, and August 16th.

The New York State Department of Labor sent out their first payments for this program on the week of September 13th. 

If you haven’t received this money, this means you likely missed an email from the New York State Department of Labor last week to verify your information. Please check your spam folder, and your inbox attached to your New York State portal.

Right now, the New York State Department of Labor has not indicated what people should do. They are still figuring out the logistics of the program and will reach out to people once they know the details.

They have said the only thing you should do is continue to certify your benefits weekly and be on the lookout for any communication from the Department of Labor.

Since the minimum weekly benefit rate in New York is $104 for UI and $182 for PUA, all claimants in New York are above the $100 cutoff. That means you can still qualify for the $300 LWA payment if your UI or PUA payment in a given week is below $100 because of taxes, part-time work, or other reductions. 

However, there may be additional criteria the federal government will require New Yorkers meet to qualify for funds — the DOL will contact claimants directly when that process is established.

This may be useful. Most state elected officials — your Assemblymember and State Senator (NOT your City Council member or Congressional Representative) — are offering to flag constituents with the New York State Department of Labor about your claim. Due to hundreds of thousands of applicants, elected officials typically hear back from the Department of Labor after 1 or 2 weeks. We cannot guarantee the office will help you, but, at times, we have heard this was useful.

You should only call your elected official if:

• You have already applied for Unemployment Insurance/Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and;
• You have been waiting 2 weeks or more for a response.

You can find your elected official by typing in your address here.

Make sure to click “State” to see your state elected officials. We recommend calling their office, and sending an email since many district offices are closed due to COVID-19. 

You can say something like this on the phone and/or email:

“Hi, my name is ….. I am a constituent of yours, I live at …. I am reaching out because I need help with Unemployment Insurance/Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. I applied … weeks ago and [write in your problem here]. I am a driver, and need this money to survive. Will your office be able to help me?”

Yes. Due to the high volume, you may have an issue getting through, but you can call the New York State Department of Labor Claimant Advocate Office. The advocate office’s phone line is 855-528-5618. Their hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When you call, you should have ready:

• Your Social Security number
• A list of questions
• Any related documents
• If you are calling for someone else, please have that person present with you at the time of the call.

You should only call this number if your questions are related to:

• Have received a determination or a questionnaire and don’t fully understand it 
• Were found ineligible for benefits and need the hearing process explained to you 
• Have an upcoming hearing or appeal and need help preparing for it.

The office has 200 languages available.

Unfortunately, the Brooklyn Law School Pandemic Employment Relief Clinic is no longer taking new clients. f you are in need of assistance, they recommend reaching out to:

• New York Legal Assistance Group
• New York State Bar Association