Resources for New Yorkers (NY / NJ Workers) on Unemployment Insurance/Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Article last updated on May 5, 2020

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We stand united with the Greater NYC community during this time. Let us all be guided by facts, not fear. Our workforce development system will continue to work tirelessly in assisting our job seekers and contributing to the community to the best of our ability under the circumstance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously challenged businesses and the government in an unprecedented fashion. Before the crisis emerged, millions of Americans who were once living from paycheck to paycheck are now facing unexpected job losses. Within a 5 week span, over 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance. The State has ordered all non-essential businesses and services to cease and/or fully transition to remote work policies/arrangements until further notice. In the midst of this economic uncertainty, this means some businesses will be forced to shut down temporarily, or in worse cases, for a long time and maybe forever. Many employers will eventually open again and rehire employees, but will all businesses be able to remain afloat and buoyant?

On March 17th, Governor Andrew Cuomo conveyed a strong speech that dauntingly pierced through our minds and will permanently remain as scars that will tell the stories of our lives.

"This is an extraordinary time in this nation's history. It will go down in the history books as one of those moments of true crisis and confusion and chaos," Cuomo said. "Everybody is afraid. Everybody is nervous. What does government do in this moment? It steps up, it performs, it does what it's supposed to do. It does it better than it's ever done it before."

New York State in total - has now confirmed over 330,000 cases, with many residents undergoing precautionary quarantine and mandated guidelines on social distancing. Governor Cuomo has raised a State of emergency and has put the State on PAUSE, in which it is currently extended until May 15th, 2020 (businesses will re-open following 4 phases). This involves the announced closure of all New York City public schools and colleges/universities for the rest of the school year/semester. Additionally, the federal government has regulated travel from a number of countries, which includes the European Union, Mexico and Canada.

While the unemployment rate/job losses continue to surge, this will profoundly stricken retail businesses and the hospitality sector such as restaurants, hotels, tourism/airlines, entertainment, public parks and events. Due to this pandemic, many employers have either slowed down their hiring process or they are on a hiring freeze. Many businesses throughout the U.S are also laying off or furloughing their workers as well. But not all are. Employers that are urgently hiring temporary positions fall in the retail sector, tech sector, food service industry, transportation industry. The food service industry remains accessible to the public, with restaurants offering take-out and delivery only. As this public health threat emerges, the healthcare sector also remains open with an increased demand in hiring thousands of frontline healthcare workers.

I want to express my immense gratitude for all of the first responders, doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals who are habitually working on the frontline to protect us and the community. Let's also not forget our appreciation for those who work in the service industry - supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants and couriers/delivery services. Though these workers are often looked down on, society should never take them for granted. They are the ones who are physically exposing themselves to the virus in order to carry us through this stark, difficult time by ensuring that our families and loved ones have food and essentials to survive on.

As there are many businesses that are adjudged as non-essential, self-care isn't. Resting up and working from home has reassured us that our creativity, ideas and passion are not on pause, but rather ceaseless. Social distancing really has given time for many of us to restore, recreate and reflect on the things that we should be and are grateful for. This is the time for us to keep our sanity intact by practicing on our self-care whether it is discovering a new skill, embracing a new hobby or de-cluttering your room.

That being said, this global pause has hit the general public as a big eye-opener. There are many ethical challenges facing the workforce development system currently. As the crisis continues to develop, workforce providers and community service providers are trying to keep a good balance in fulfilling their missions to help those in need, and keeping the workforce safe. This is where the workforce providers come in to assist those who are in need of applying for unemployment insurance.

Please keep in mind that our workforce development system is the last line of defense for those whose businesses are failing, those who need jobs to feed their families, and those who have just a window of opportunity to make a life changing decision.

Let's jump into the RESOURCES!

Since this pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued directions on the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. Claimants are eligible for an additional $600 of weekly unemployment benefits for UI and PUA benefits, with an additional 13 weeks added on top of the 26 weeks - until July 31, 2020.

Due to the traffic overflow on the New York State Department of Labor's website, telephone calls are never going through and claimants are not getting their proper help or questions answered. The NYS Department of Labor has recently partnered with Google to bring a newly updated website for people who are trying to file for unemployment in the New York State to reduce the traffic overflow and prevent website crashes. Updates are visible by the end of the week of April 10th, with an improved system.

I have received many inquiries from clients regarding their eligibility and the documents that they would need to prepare before applying on the NYS Department of Labor website. Below are some of the answers that I have provided to my clients and I also want to inform readers who are also going through this experience.

• Here is what claimants would need to prepare prior to applying: their Social Security Number, a NYS Driver's License OR NYS ID Card (if applicable - those who reside in another State and do not have a NYS ID/Driver's License but work in NYS, would not have to worry about this), Alien Registration card number (for those who are not a U.S. Citizen but are green card holders or have a work authorization - i.e. TIN/SSN), employer's name/registration number/address/phone number (must be employer(s) that they have worked for in the last 18 months), start and end date of employment, reason for leaving, home/mailing address, telephone number, email address that you frequently use, and most importantly - the claimant's bank name, address, routing and account numbers if they choose to enroll their weekly benefits into Direct Deposit. If they do not have direct deposit, they would need to have their Debit Card ready.
• Be mindful of NYS DOL's What You Need to Know.
• DOL also provided answers to those who have questions about their Dismissal/Severance Payment.
• Is UI fully funded or are there issues with money? To my knowledge, there will be issues soon unless there is new federal support/legislation - however, the State is working to issue bonds to finance a lot of benefits.
• ONE IMPORTANT THING for those who are filing their claim on the NYS Department of Labor website - Be mindful that you have to complete two forms! The first form you must complete is the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Form and the second form is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Form.

> According to the NYS Department of Labor, you cannot apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance until you first apply for Unemployment Insurance. IF you are eligible for Unemployment Insurance, then you are not eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

• In terms of UI eligibility, many clients I have assisted so far have been EITHER laid off, furloughed but are still on their employers' payroll, their hours have significantly plummeted OR they voluntarily quit due to their distress of being exposed to the virus. If you are reading this, and you happen to fall into any of these following categories, you ARE LIKELY eligible for UI in this case.
• Normally, independents who are eligible for UI benefits are those who have lost their job and that it is not through their own fault. Eligibility of UI benefits pertain to those who lost their jobs due to layoffs/lack of work, their role was seasonal or temporary, business downsizing, business relocation, lack of funding, outsourcing, business has ceased or there was a reduction in the labor force.

Please note that when you claim for weekly benefits, DOL's general statement is that claimants must indicate that they are actively searching for work and that they are able & willing to work at all times. Also, DOL's current statement for this current situation - “We understand that many of you are unable to work due to COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of NYS on PAUSE. If you would otherwise be able to work, you should answer “yes” in order to receive your benefits.”

However, there are more scenarios that others may have unanswered questions for. Before applying for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance application, I HIGHLY advise claimants to review the COVID-19 New York Scenarios and Benefits Guide and the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to confirm their eligibility and gain a better understanding on whether they can qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, income security programs and other public benefits.

1. Please see here for the most updated FAQs from NYS Department of Labor on NY Workers: Frequently Asked Questions on Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Questions and answers cover the new law that includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
2. Please see here for the most updated FAQs from NYS Department of Labor on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

If you reside in New York City or New York State, but have worked in New Jersey, you would need to apply for UI at the NJ Department of Labor (vice versa for New Jersey residents working in New York State). Please review the COVID-19 New Jersey Scenarios and Benefits Guide. Please see here for the most updated FAQs from NJ Department of Labor on NJ Workers: Frequently Asked Questions During the Coronavirus Emergency.

• Some have also informed me that they are self-employed, freelancers, gig workers or independent contractors BUT are unsure as to whether they are qualified for UI. Typically, they are not eligible at all. However, under this current situation, those who are affected by COVID-19, will be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). According to the NYS Department of Labor, the President of the United States authorized a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), a federally funded program that offers unemployment insurance benefits to recipients, such as self-employed individuals and independent contractors who have lost their job or income in areas that have been severely impacted even if they usually do not qualify for UI. Freelancers and workers in the gig economy are also eligible to apply for UI as they are covered by the third fiscal care package, which is a stimulus check that is provided under the CARES Act. If this still does not answer your question, please refer to the article COVID Relief and Advocacy for NYC Freelancers and Gig Workers.
• For Gig Workers: Many mistaken themselves as self-employed workers. But they are not. If you work for any of the following employers below, you are considered a gig worker. Make sure you have the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN #) which will be requested, when you are filling out the application.

Uber Technologies | Lyft | Postmates | Amazon Logistics | DoorDash | GrubHub Holdings | Flatiron Transit LLC | Wag Labs | Juno USA | Handy Technologies | MapleBear Inc DBA Instacart | Glamsquad IncVI | Cleanly Inc | GT Forge Inc DBA GETT | VIPKID HK Limited

• See below for a step-by-step guide for self-employed individuals working in the NY & NJ area:

Guidance for Self-Employed Individuals - How to file an Unemployment Insurance Claim on New York State Department of Labor's Website

Guidance for Self-Employed Individuals - Filing a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim on New Jersey Department of Labor's Website

On another note, there is the IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief - giving taxpayers a deadline extension for tax filing from April 15, 2020 until July 15, 2020. If for some reason, individual taxpayers who require additional time to file, may request an extension until October 15, 2020 by filing Form 4868 through their tax preparers/softwares or by using the Free File link on IRS.gov.

The IRS also introduces a new tool for Americans to receive automatic payments for their $1200 stimulus check - also known as Economic Impact Payments beginning on April 15, 2020. However, not every American is entitled to receive them - according to the IRS. Here is an article, with additional information on who would not be eligible.

• Who would NOT be eligible for UI? These would apply to independents who are working remotely from home, those who are on paid leave such as paid sick leave or paid family leave. Predominantly, the independent is not considered unemployed because they are still receiving pay/benefits from their employer - therefore, they would not be eligible for UI. Generally speaking, independents who have involuntarily quit for no good reason OR have been fired and lost their job due to something that they are at fault for - such as workplace misconduct, conviction of a crime or something that they are liable for within their workplace, would not be eligible for UI either.

For more Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Frequently Asked Questions, please see the article, Out of Work? How to Navigate Unemployment Benefits in the Coronavirus Crisis.

While my team and I were assisting clients with unemployment insurance applications, we came up with the idea of introducing a step-by-step manual / user guide with onscreen and direction on how to file for an unemployment claim from beginning to end, which may be helpful for others who need to assist claimants in applying for unemployment insurance directly or indirectly.

It is our effort to create a step-by-step instruction in better preparing first time helpers and first time applicants with the hope that it can be useful. While we are still in the process of developing this, we will continue to make necessary changes as directions and requirements may change. It requires extensive time as eligibility questions require much understanding on the part of the applicant.

Should you require additional assistance, please feel free to contact me regarding:

- Unanswered questions about unemployment insurance benefits

- If you would like me to walk you through our step-by-step manual for filing a claim

- If you have recently been let go or furloughed and is seeking for job placement assistance currently and/or other endeavors

- If you would like me to look over your resume and cover letter and provide feedback

- If you are seeking guidance in taking the next steps toward achieving your career development goals