{"id":79050,"date":"2020-05-05T07:56:49","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T11:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=79050"},"modified":"2020-05-05T07:57:03","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T11:57:03","slug":"79050","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2020\/05\/05\/79050\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a new program to inform New Yorkers who have applied for unemployment that Federal law requires them to submit a certification every week to receive their benefits and educate New Yorkers about how to complete that certification.<\/p>\n

The first step of this campaign was a proactive email sent over the weekend to nearly 90,000 New Yorkers whose unemployment benefit claims are completed, processed, and payable \u2014 but who had not submitted a weekly certification, preventing them from being paid. Going forward, DOL will regularly send emails informing New Yorkers when they are able to begin certifying and receiving their benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cLosing your job can be a disorienting experience \u2014 especially when it happens during a global pandemic \u2014 so we want to make it as simple as possible for New Yorkers to receive the money they are due,\u201d New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. “That\u2019s why we\u2019re launching this campaign to make sure everyone who is applying for unemployment benefits knows how and when to submit their certification and claim the benefits they deserve. This is just another example of how we are using every resource available to connect New Yorkers with their money as quickly as possible, and we will not rest until everyone is receiving the benefits they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under, federal law, every American receiving unemployment insurance benefits, including traditional unemployment insurance and the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, is required to submit a weekly certification to claim their benefits. This certification confirms that the individual meets all of the conditions for receiving benefits, including that they were unemployed for all or part of the past week and were ready, willing and able to work. During this public health crisis, New Yorkers who cannot work because of the COVID-19 pandemic and New York State on PAUSE orders should answer they were ready, willing and able to work during a week if they otherwise could have worked. <\/p>\n

According to Department of Labor records, however, tens of thousands of New Yorkers who are eligible for unemployment benefits \u2014 and who could be receiving their funds \u2014 have not submitted weekly certifications and claimed their benefits. This could be due to a lag between when New Yorkers\u2019 claims are processed, allowing them to begin certifying, and when they receive a \u201cMonetary Determination Letter\u201d in the mail, which tells them to begin certifying.<\/p>\n

In response, the Department of Labor is launching a communications campaign to ensure every New Yorker who is unemployed understands how and when to certify.<\/p>\n

As part of this effort, the Department of Labor will begin emailing New Yorkers who provided email addresses on their application when their claims are processed and become payable, providing them the information they need on certifications quicker and allowing them to access their benefits faster. Over the weekend the first of these emails was sent to approximately 90,000 New Yorkers who have fully completed and processed unemployment benefit applications, but who have not yet certified. <\/p>\n

Over the coming weeks, the Department of Labor will highlight information including:<\/p>\n