New York is one of the states that received the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) approval to provide additional benefits to the unemployed residents. Though it received approval in August, the state has not begun paying out the benefits. If you are wondering when you can expect to collect the $300 unemployment benefits in New York, you have landed on the right page!
This article will tell you when the state will begin paying out the additional benefits and more.
When Can You Expect To Receive $300 Unemployment Benefits In New York?
Recently, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it would start giving out the extra $300 weekly benefits to unemployed residents beginning next week. The payment will be sent on a rolling basis under the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. The payment will retroactively cover the weeks that ended on August 2, 9, and 16.
Who Qualifies For $300 Unemployment Benefits In New York?
To be eligible for the additional weekly benefits, you should meet the following eligibility criteria.
- You should be receiving or qualify for receiving a minimum of $100 weekly benefits through any of the following programs.
- Regular or traditional New York Unemployment Insurance (UI) Compensation
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- Extended Benefits (EB) or any other federal programs
- You should self-certify that you are fully or partially unemployed as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Should You Apply For Additional Unemployment Benefits In New York?
According to the state’s Department Of Labor, if you are already receiving payment under the regular unemployment program and have certified that you lost your job due to the pandemic in your initial claim, you need not take any further action. The Department will send you an email or a text message notifying that you have pre-qualified for the additional benefits.
But if you have not certified, you must do it immediately, failing which you may not receive your additional benefits. You can certify through either online or by phone.
Note that you can certify starting Friday, September 11th. If you are certifying over the phone, call 833-491-0632, an automated phone system. But if you are certifying online, you should follow the instructions given in the secure DocuSign email that you received from DOL.
Note – You will receive payments starting next week, provided you have self-certified by 5 pm on September 15th.
How Long Will The Benefits Be Available In The State?
Funding under the LWA program will be available until December 2020 unless any of the following events occurs before the scheduled deadline.
- The $44 billion funds set aside for the LWA program is depleted.
- The balance of the federal Disaster Relief Fund falls below $25 billion.
- Congress replaces the LWA program.
What To Do If Your Extra Benefits Are Denied?
If your benefits are denied but you believe you qualify, you can file an unemployment appeal. Note that you must file within 30 days from the mailing date of the Determination Notice. Fill the appeal form attached to the Determination Notice and request a hearing with the Department. If the form is not attached, you can fill the online form on the Department’s website.
The Department will review your application and schedule an informal conference to attempt to resolve the matter. At the conference, you can present evidence and place your argument.
If you disagree with its decision, you can request a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge. During the hearing, you can present your testimony to support your argument. After inspecting the evidence. the Judge will give his or her decision.
If you are unhappy with the Administrative Law Judge’s decision, you can file an appeal to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board (UIAB). Apply your appeal in writing, within 20 days of the Administrative Law Judge decision.
The UIAB will review your application and send you a Notice of Receipt of Appeal that explains how to submit a statement on appeal along with the Appeal Board case number. You must submit your statement within 7 days of the date of receiving the Notice of Receipt of Appeal.
You can request to review the hearing transcript before submitting your statement. If you wish to review, the authorities will send a written notice when the file is available.
The UIAB does not require any additional testimony. It relies on written statements and documents submitted as part of the appeal and evidence used at hearing with the Administrative Law Judge.
After listening to arguments and inspecting evidence, the UIAB will give its decision. If you disagree with it, you can file an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Third Judicial Department.
Note – Make sure you don’t miss the hearing. If there is an emergency and you are unable to attend the hearing, request a postponement.
How To Reschedule A Hearing?
If you wish to reschedule the hearing, write to the concerned authorities and request an adjournment while mentioning the same reason. If your request is denied, apply for a re-opening.
Can You Collect Extra Benefits If You Are Recently Unemployed?
You will receive $300 unemployment benefits based on your employment status in August 2020. If you have lost your job in September, you may not qualify for extra benefits but only the regular New York Unemployment Insurance program.
Final Words
The Department has begun emailing the qualified New Yorkers to inform them of their payment status. If you too are expecting the payment, keep an eye out for messages from DOL, and respond immediately if it requires any additional certification.