On Monday, New York’s unemployment insurance benefit was boosted by $365 a week.
The former maximum benefit was $504. The new maximum is $869 a week.
The state paid off a $7 billion federal trust fund loan earlier this year to the immense relief of New York businesses who were on the hook for the money.
The upgraded benefit comes just in time to help support New York’s 115,000 federal workers who are now likely feeling the pinch of the federal shutdown.
New York state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon appeared on Capital Tonight Friday to discuss the increase in the unemployment benefit as well as what’s keeping her up at night when she thinks about next year’s state budget.
