WENY News: New law requiring notice of unemployment benefits

Elise Kline

September 28, 2023

ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed new legislation intending to strengthen workers' rights by requiring notice of unemployment benefits.

Some New York state lawmakers said many workers are unaware of their eligibility for unemployment assistance. The new law aims to change this.

“It has real impact for people’s lives. They’re out of a job, they’re out of money, or their hours are reduced, and they can’t afford the basics for their families,” said Sen. Shelley Mayer (D-37th Senate District).

The new law will require employers to give notice of potential eligibility for unemployment assistance to employees who are laid off or whose scheduled hours are reduced.

“It’s really an effort to make sure that people know what they’re entitled to and to get a piece of paper and that piece of paper will tell them what to do and how to contact the Department of Labor,” said Mayer.

Sen. Mayer said this notice provides New Yorkers with an entry point to unemployment in the Department of Labor. She said there are a range of benefits that can help New Yorkers struggling with unemployment.

Mayer said once an individual is eligible for unemployment, it's likely they will be eligible for other benefits such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

“If you have no income at all, you’re laid off entirely or your hours are reduced like a lot of my constituents were, you don’t have enough money for food,” she said.

The new law will take effect in November.

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