46,000 NYers Losing Unemployment Benefits This Week

On April 4, 46,000 New Yorkers across the state (about half are in the city) will lose their unemployment benefits this week. The NY State Department of Labor's John Moye told WCBS 2, "It's unprecedented, absolutely. It's a reflection of the economic challenges we're facing in the country, particularly in our state."

The NYS DOL also says, "In addition to the issues facing the 46,000 New Yorkers who are exhausting all 99 weeks of benefits possible this week, for the second time in two months, federal provisions under Unemployment Insurance, COBRA healthcare benefits, Federal Extended Benefits and the $25 weekly benefit increase will expire on April 5," and mentioned the frustrations of one of its Facebook fans—Judiann Villela, who wrote, "I was let go Feb of 2008...for economic reasons. It certainly was as BAD for companies then as it is now. It started in 2007. Please if you have a job for me... let me know. I had two interviews last week. I have two set for this week. I have been out there for two years. It is not easy when there are so many applying for one position. Do not point fingers until you've been in my shoes."

The NYS DOL recommends that unemployed New Yorkers go to the my Benefits website to review their situations. Also, for those of you experiencing difficulty reaching the unemployment phone line or website, the NYS DOL says, "We are still experiencing unprecedented volume with our telephone and web... For those concerned about moving from regular benefits to Tier 1 of extension benefits under current federal legislation, be advised that you have until this Saturday April 3rd to certify for benefits for the week ending 3/28/10."

And last month, NYC unemployment rate went down to 10.2%, from 10.4% in January, while the state unemployment rate was steady at 8.8%.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 1, 2010 8:32 AM

Comments [rss]

John Clavis

Remember, the Republican position is that social services need to be paid for (you know, to be fiscally responsible), but defense contracts, corporate welfare and tax cuts for the rich do not.

(That's more or less the Democratic position, too, but Republicans are dicks about it...)

theevilone

I blame Bloomberg. And Ray Kelly. And the NYPD.

without hope

HA I've got it!

LIBERALS ARE FROM URANUS AND CONSERVATIVES ARE FROM MARS!

JenChungsBaby

Liberals are from Uranus and conservatives are from my anus.

hunter.blatherer

Headline for April 5th:

"Unemployment Rate Down"

JenChungsBaby

I know one guy who's recently laid off and isn't even looking for a job yet because of the 99 week unemployment benefits. I'm not saying everyone is doing that, but there's a least a few people.

Politburo

Your friend is a fraud.

In order to claim UI, you must actively look for work.

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/claimantinfo/onceyouhaveappliedfaq.shtm#12

Ishtar

Actively looking for work requires little more than filling out a form indicating the places you allegedly applied to for employment.

Politburo

Thank you for reading the link for me... it's not like I had posted it or anything.

The point stands.

ides_of_march

Obama is killing the economy. Socialist policies tend to do that. At least his political cronies will get some "stimulus" cash.

ides_of_march

Rewarding business failures and penalizing the successful businesses with more taxes is hardly a recipe for economic success. Time to stop reading Karl Marx and start reading Ayn Rand and Adam Smith.

Ph

The fact that you invoked Ayn Rand means you're a fucking clown. No respectable person that has any sane grasp on economics would do that.

I bet you sat around in your dorm room raging about all the 'takers' too.

unretrofiedforu

Thank god. There ARE people who actually read in this city.

moorecor

Its our capitalist mentality and economy that got us into this mess you friggin tool

without hope

48,000. NEW YORKERS WILL LOOSE THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THIS WEEK AND WE CANT EVEN CUT 1 STINKING PUBLIC SECTOR JOB. I MEAN THAT IS WTF!

yeah yeah yeah I know they all have families, a mortgage kids college to pay for...

Darrell

Yeah, because people who get fired from the public sector wouldn't go collect unemployment benefits like everyone else.

On the other side of things, getting rid of these people from receiving unemployment benefits smudges the unemployment statistics, so their maybe somewhat of an ulterior motive to this aside from saving money.

without hope

Yeah thats right because sociallism actually creats jobs, right. It does however make everyone equal. Equally miserable.

Kojak

Please ides. Obama can do more to stimulate the Economy, but its hard to place blame on him. Everyone knew this would be a slow recovery.

65%-70% of the Economy is driven by consumers, and right now they're too busy paying off their debts. Such spending was and has always been unsustainable and will most likely not rebound to what it was before. What your seeing is a shift in how the American Economy works.

without hope

No he could cut capital gains right away as well as income tax etc! You would see instant results. The whole health bill thingy was such a red herring.