As the September 6th end date for the federal pandemic provisions for unemployment rapidly approaches, New Yorkers are in desperate need of support from their state government officials. Pandemic unemployment programs have been a lifeline for millions who lost their source of income due to the pandemic, and with the end of PEUC, PUA, MEUC, and the $300 boost approaching within days, many New Yorkers remain unable to find suitable work or engage in self employment as they continue to experience both the lasting long-term effects of the pandemic as well as experience a new surge in cases with the Delta variant leading to additional complications returning to work. As nearly 2 million unemployed PEUC and PUA claimants prepare to lose their benefits in mere days, they urgently need support from their state representatives.

While some are able to resume or begin work, rebuild their businesses, or reengage in self employment, with a surge in cases and the end of these federal benefits those who are unable to find suitable work, who are immunocompromised or have immuno compromised children/family members, who must quarantine with school aged children after exposure, who are unable to find work paying a wage which covers the high cost of living in the state of New York, and many other issues are left uncertain as to how they will be able to move forward and provide for themselves and their families after September 6th.

While unemployed workers and previously self employed individuals struggle to find safe, suitable work, the US Bureau of Labor statistics stated that New York holds the fourth highest state unemployment rate, with the current unemployment rate coming in at 7.6%. 

With the stress and uncertainty of a convergence of workforce-related issues, notably the inability to find suitable work, a rise in covid cases, a high unemployment rate, and the cliff for the cutoff of federal pandemic unemployment benefits, New York governor Kathy Hochul has remained silent and has not yet addressed unemployment issues to NY residents and they are in desperate need of communication.

Following Treasury Secretary Yellen's letter stating that “in states where a more gradual wind down of income support for unemployed workers makes sense based on local economic conditions, American Rescue Plan funds can be activated to cover the cost of providing assistance to unemployed workers beyond September 6th” . Based on this information, While NY residents are left with a need to hear from the governor on if NY will be impacted by this statement, and if there is a possibility for PEUC and PUA to be continued in any capacity utilizing the funds from the ARPA.

As NY's unemployment claimants reach the cliff of the end of federal pandemic unemployment programs on September 6th, we call upon Governor Kathy Hochul to do the following:

1) Consider reallocating funds from the state/local funds from the ARP to extend PEUC and PUA for additional weeks in order to bring essential aid to unemployed New Yorkers while they continue to resume suitable work amidst a heavily impacted workforce and economy.

2) Issue a statement immediately to NY's unemployment claimants who have relied upon these benefits and communicate clearly the following pieces of important information:

-Does NY have the ability to re-allocate any state/local funds from the ARP for the use of extended unemployment benefits as described in Secretary Yellen's statement?

-If those funds are in fact available to be re-allocated, will NY commit to providing additional week of unemployment benefits, and if so in what amount?