Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits now available
As of April 20, 2020, there is a new process New Yorkers follow to apply for unemployment benefits. The website serves both laid off workers and self-employed business people. New federal funds have been approved allowing independent contractors, freelancers, farmers and “gig workers” and others to get unemployment benefits. The program is called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
To apply you can complete an unemployment application on the New York State Dept. of Labor’s newly launched unemployment website or call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124. For additional information and a fact sheet on PUA, click here.
The new streamlined system comes after a previously difficult and confusing process for self-employed New Yorkers, who were forced to apply for traditional unemployment benefits, and be rejected, before moving on to apply for the PUA. Now just one form is needed and the computer determines which unemployment program is appropriate.
