What You Need to Know and Do About the CARES Act

flowchart showing what to know and do when applying for UI

Download this flowchart (PDF).

 

The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers. Here’s what you need to know.

You may download this information (PDF).

If You Are Already Approved for UI Benefits:

What you should do:

  • Do nothing. Your benefits will be updated automatically.
    (Please do not call; it will only make it difficult for others to reach an agent.)

What you may qualify to receive:

  • 26 weeks of UI benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)
  • An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks..

If You Are Filing a New UI Claim:

What you should do:

What you may qualify to receive:

  • 26 weeks of UI benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)
  • An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks..

If You Are Not Traditionally Eligible for UI Benefits:

What you should do:

What you may qualify to receive:

  • 26 weeks of PUA benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)
  • An additional 13 weeks of benefits if you are still unemployed after 26 weeks..

If You’ve Exhausted 26 Weeks of Benefits After 7/1/2019:

What you should do:

What you may qualify to receive:

  • 13 weeks of benefits.
  • An additional $600/week until 7/31/2020.
    (Beginning 4/5/2020)

More Information:

See Frequently Asked Questions About UI During the Coronavirus Emergency

To apply for UI benefits, file on these days:
Filing for UI benefits is based on your last name.
A – F file on Monday | G – N file on Tuesday | O – Z file on Wednesday
Missed your day? File on Thurs-Fri-Sat

Source: What You Need to Know and Do About the CARES Act – New York State Department of Labor