Measure To Assist Unemployed New Yorkers

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D – 35th District) announced today that the Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation that extends unemployment benefits for thousands of New Yorkers. The bill, Senate 4110-A, provides benefits for an additional 13 weeks.

“During these difficult economic times, working families are struggling to make ends meet,” stated Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “For the unemployed, the struggle is even greater, therefore, I was pleased to vote in favor of this important bill that will help so many of New York’s families.”

Currently, 56,000 unemployed New Yorkers will see their unemployment benefits vanish by week’s end and nearly 5,000 people will lose benefits each week over the course of the next two to three months.

The provisions of Senate bill 4110-A include:

• Allowing the State to provide federally funded unemployment benefits for individuals who leave work due to compelling family reasons;

• Extending for an additional 13 weeks unemployment insurance benefits to New Yorkers whose benefits are set to expire;

• Providing additional federal funding for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

“It is crucial for us, as lawmakers, to help those who have lost their jobs as a result of our fiscal situation, get back on their feet while working on policies that will boost our economy and create jobs. This legislation aims to do just that. It is my hope that the Assembly and the Governor will move quickly to enact this important measure,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins concluded.