New York State unemployment benefit rate increase goes into effect, marking first raise since 2019 | amNewYork

"New York State raised the weekly maximum unemployment insurance benefit rate to $869 on Monday, the first state raise in the weekly rate since 2019. Before Monday, the maximum rate was $504. NYS Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon and Gov. Kathy Hochul ushered in the change Wednesday morning. Though the new rate went into effect Monday, New Yorkers can expect to see the change reflected in unemployment checks starting next week."

"It will provide more money for basic essentials, for jobless New Yorkers receiving unemployment insurance they may now have access to hundreds of dollars more each week to pay for rent, groceries or transportation. The new rate will increase weekly benefits for more than half of unemployed New Yorkers. More than a quarter of those on unemployment insurance will receive the new maximum while another quarter will see their payments increase."

"In a Wednesday news release, Hochul said the increase is of particular importance amid an ongoing federal government shutdown that has withheld paychecks from hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country 115,000 of whom are in New York State. Donald Trump and Washington Republicans' agenda is a direct attack on hardworking New Yorkers, with reckless trade wars causing skyrocketing prices, and now their decision to shut down the federal government has left thousands of New Yorkers unemployed and unsupported"

The weekly maximum unemployment benefit rate increased to $869 from $504, effective Monday, with checks reflecting the change starting next week. The increase exceeds 72% and is the largest raise of the unemployment cap in state history. More than half of unemployed New Yorkers will receive higher weekly benefits; over a quarter will collect the new maximum and another quarter will see increased payments. The change provides additional funds for rent, groceries and transportation. The increase arrives amid a federal government shutdown withholding paychecks from hundreds of thousands of federal workers, with 115,000 in New York. The state repaid a $7 billion federal trust fund loan to enable the raise.

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