New Yorkers to get $300 a week jobless benefit

Albany, NY:  New York was approved late Monday by the federal government for a $300 a week supplemental payment for unemployed residents.

The money was made available by President Trump by executive order Aug. 8 through $44 billion from FEMA.

FEMA said Monday New York’s application was approved, making it among 30 states to enter the program to provide additional help to unemployed New Yorkers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“FEMA’s grant funding will allow New York to provide $300 per week — on top of their regular unemployment benefit — to those unemployed due to COVID-19,” the agency said in a statement.

“FEMA will work with New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to implement a system to make this funding available to New York residents.”

When the money will flow is uncertain.

The state Department of Labor said it will work to get the unemployment help out as soon as possible.

The unemployment benefit is on top of up to $504 a week that New York provides to out-of-work residents, and it aims to replace the $600 a week the federal government provided through July 31 for those unemployed because of the virus.

Since March 14, nearly 3.5 million New Yorkers filed first-time unemployment claims.

Experts have suggested it could take weeks if not longer for states to adjust their unemployment programs in order to send out the new federal money.

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