Increase Unemployment Benefits NOW!

NEW YORK’S WORKING FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER

 The State Department of Labor released the unemployment numbers for January and as expected we are faced with another jolt in terms of new and extended filings. New York State Unemployment figures reached 7.6%!

There is simply no choice. The time for action is now and we need your help!   If working families are going to get through this economic crisis, we need the Legislature and Governor to increase unemployment insurance today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: INCREASE UI BENEFITS NOW!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge your support of an immediate and much needed increase in the unemployment benefit for laid off workers; A4921 John/S2245 Onorato

With unemployment in NYS at a staggering 7% and rising monthly, one thing is painfully clear: The time for action is now!

Studies have shown that every dollar in unemployment benefits generates a $1.64 increase in economic activity. People who are unemployed spend their unemployment benefits almost immediately, to buy groceries, purchase household necessities, and pay the rent. Their unemployment dollars are quickly dispersed back into the local economy, and help to sustain local businesses, and increase the tax coffers of local governments throughout our state.

Those tax dollars go to support police protection in Buffalo, fire fighters in Syracuse, sanitation pick-up in Rochester, hospital care in the capital district, and better schools in New York City and throughout this state.

The unemployment benefit has not been increased since 1998, and the current maximum benefit of $405 per week is far insufficient for working families to make ends meet if they lose their job.

If working families are going to get through this economic crisis, we need the Legislature and Governor to act now on a benefit increase as well as guarantee future increases. Working families need a benefit they can rely on and should never again have to wait 10 years for an increase.

I hope we can count on your leadership and support on this issue. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 27, 2009


Background Information

UNEMPLOYMENT: NEW YORK’S WORKING FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER

CLAIMS ARE AT HISTORIC LEVELS AND GETTING WORSE

  • First time claim filings in New York City have increased by over 25% from last year
  • The unemployment rate in New York State is 7.0 %, and in New York City it is 7.4%
  • The records for “monthly increase in new filings” and annual increase in filings were broken in 2008
  • The numbers are climbing – new monthly numbers due on March 5th are expected  to be worse

NEW YORK’S BENEFIT IS SHAMEFULLY LOW

  • The maximum weekly benefit is just $405 per week
  • The benefit has not increased for a decade
  • New York’s benefit rate ranks among the lowest of all the states
  • Every surrounding state has a higher benefit than New York 
  • The New York benefit only replaces 26.6% of the lost income for unemployed workers

WE NEED TO INCREASE BENEFITS NOW AND GUARANTEE FUTURE INCREASES

  • An unemployment benefit increase must be part of our economic recovery
  • For every $1 in unemployment benefits spent, $1.64 of economic activity is generated
  • A benefit increase will help stop foreclosures and help working families bridge the income gap
  • Unemployment benefits are immediately and directly spent in the economy
  • Unemployment benefits are taxable and help replace lost state budget revenue
  • Unemployment benefits help the local economy in the form of greater sales tax revenue, as well as property taxes because more people will be able to keep their homes

Legislation has been introduced (A4921 – S.John / S2245 - Onorato) to gradually increase in the unemployment benefit over 4 years, to raise the maximum weekly benefit to $625.00 per week.  This is about 50% of the average weekly wage. The NYS AFL-CIO demands annual indexation of the benefit to 50% of the average weekly wage.

Working families need a benefit they can rely on and should never again have to wait 10 years for an increase. Indexing the benefit will also avoid the need for costly, large increases all at once.