This is a petition for the temporary suspension of Unemployment's "Forfeit Penalty".  

Sometimes, a person received more $$ than they were “entitled to” in the past due to an oversight or inaccurate claim. Once this monetary debt has been paid, including fees (so more money than was actually received) and said person has monetarily righted the wrong and no longer owes any money, unemployment continues to punish said person by having their weekly benefit forfeited for DOUBLE the amount of weeks it had been received. For example if it was in excess of 5 weeks, the forfeit penalty is applied for 10 weeks, and for 10 weeks this person has absolutely no income at all whatsoever even though they paid off their debt already.  But here's the kicker, if two years have gone by the forfeit penalty expires! Therefore, it is a punishment that is completely uncalled for and holds no purpose during a global pandemic. It's not like these individuals can just go out and get a job to care to their family.

Just to add insult to injury, anyone suffering under this penalty is not "entitled" to the additional $600 per week (which has nothing to do with a specific claim. It is part of the CARES Act and should be available to anyone who's unemployed because of covid-19) AND is denied for PUA as well!

Unemployment is the only stream of income for millions right now.  It is illogical to hold back someone's weekly benefit and CARES Act benefit due to this "forfeit penalty".  These people PAID OFF THEIR DEBT AND THEN SOME! When covid-19 caused the shut down of most of our country's jobs, this penalty should have been waived the same way the "waiting week" was waived. 

These restrictions on Unemployment dispersment are unfair and harming too many New Yorkers (including children) without due cause in an economy halted by local government. Please change the rules so that every unemployed New Yorker, due to COVID-19 can recieve their weekly benefit and CARES Act benefit.