New Yorkers can speed up jobless claims: how to do it

New York has been hit harder by the coronavirus epidemic than other states. Many people lost their jobs. Last week, the number of applications for unemployment benefits increased by 520% ​​compared with the same period last year. How residents of the state can accelerate the process of applying for unemployment, the publication said. FOXBusiness.

Many Americans lost their jobs due to measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, labor departments were overwhelmed by incoming applications for unemployment benefits.

The number of new claims for unemployment benefits in the United States last week hit a record weekly high in history - almost 3,3 million. And the situation is likely to get worse.

James Bullard, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, said the US unemployment rate could reach 30% in the second quarter of 2020. The Institute for Economic Policy predicts that by the summer, 14 million Americans may be unemployed.

The situation in New York

The outbreak has hit the state - especially New York City and its suburbs - far more than any other part of the country. As of April 15, 203 cases of infection were recorded in the state, 123 people died.

On the subject: More than 10 thousand coronavirus victims in New York: when will the pandemic end

The New York State Department of Labor said initial jobless claims rose 520% ​​last week - more than 80 - compared to the same period last year.

In total, during the week the department received more than 1 calls and more than 734 calls online.

When to apply for unemployment benefits to be processed as quickly as possible

In order to cope with the growing volume of requests, the New York State Department of Labor posted on its website updated information notifying applicants when they should file an application to process it as quickly as possible. The filing day depends on which letter your last name begins with.

• If your last name begins with A - F, the application should be submitted on Monday.
• If your last name starts with G - N - Tuesday.
• People with a last name starting with O - Z should apply on Wednesday.
• If you missed the filing day for your last name, contact the department on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

"Filing later in the week will not delay payments and will not affect the official filing date of the application, since all applications officially enter into force on Monday of the week in which they were filed," the department noted.

Extra money

Once your application has been processed, you will be able to get more money than the unemployment benefits had previously expected. This was made possible thanks to a law previously signed by US President Donald Trump. According to this law, in addition to direct unemployment benefits, Americans who meet certain criteria can receive an additional $ 600 per week for four months.

In addition, the benefit payment period will be extended by an additional 13 weeks. This means that for a 26-week state, the total duration of the unemployment support program will be extended to 39 weeks.

To apply for unemployment benefits, New Yorkers need visit this site or call the call center by the number 888-209-8124.