Unemployment
- Mainly a continuation of the 2020 Laws
- General Extension – Programs End September 5, 2021
- PUA
- Available until the sooner of September 5, 2021 and 57 total weeks of eligibility
- New Claimants (beginning February 1, 2021) have additional documentation requirements
- PEUC
- Available until the sooner of September 5, 2021 and 99 total weeks of eligibility
- Applications from September 7, 2020 and later have 46 total weeks of eligibility
- FPUC or PUC
- $300/week
- Start – Week Ending January 3, 2021
- End – Week Ending September 5, 2021
- No PUC benefits from July 27, 2020 – December 27, 2020
- PUA
- Continue to certify for weekly benefits. This remains as important as ever.
- *NEW* Part Time Rule
- Part-time work is now allowed
- Instead of counting days worked, claimants can count hours worked
- This allows for some benefits to be given even though a person is working
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*Undocumented* – NEW LAW IN NY 2021 BUDGET
- Undocumented immigrants can receive the equivalent of UI or PUA benefits
- These will be one-time payments (1 lump sum) of either:
- $15,600.00, or
- $ 3,200.00
- Both subject to taxes
- Must show that they are NYS residents, ineligible for UI, and lost income because of COVID-19
- Tax ID Number (TIN) NOT required
- Can use NYS ID; NYC ID; school transcript; utility bills; bank statements; pay stubs, income tax forms, or letter from employer
- Guidelines and Application Instructions
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*PUA Eligibility Verification* – Due May 24, 2022
- The DOL has been sending out notices in early 2022 to PUA recipients.
- These notices are asking for proof that recipients were eligible for PUA.
- Understandably, many recipients are confused, scared, or frustrated.
- The best way to handle this is to follow the directions and send in proof that you were working before COVID and that the pandemic interrupted your work.
- Proof can be tax records or even affidavits that prove eligibility.
- For assistance, please contact Andrew Rozo.
- Additional Information
- Common Issues and Solutions
Housing
**NEW** – New York Only
- New York State made a new eviction moratorium that ends on January 15, 2022
- This is mainly an extension of the federal protections with some additional steps in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
- A tenant must still file a “hardship declaration” to prevent an eviction.
- Now, however, landlords can challenge the hardship declarations.
- Commercial businesses and foreclosures have the same opportunity.
- Now, a hearing will occur in court to decide whether the declaration is true and whether an eviction proceeding can commence.
- Now, there is an eviction alternative: ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program)
- Successful applications can provide landlords with a past year of unpaid rent and can provide tenants with another year of housing stability.
Federal Law
- Mainly a continuation of the 2020 Laws
- No Evictions due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic until August 31, 2021
- There are a few legal requirements associated with this protection for tenants, primarily that a tenant must file a “hardship declaration” to benefit.
- NOTE: Rent is still due. Pay now if you can.
- Utilities cannot be shutoff for failure to pay
- No Mortgage or Tax Foreclosures due to financial hardship caused by the pandemic until August 31, 2021
- There are also a few legal requirements for Landlords to qualify for this protection
- This protection also prevents any related negative credit reporting
- Additional Help
- Related: Similar protections for small businesses
Labor
- Employees are entitled to 4 hours of paid time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
- This applies for each injection, if the employee needs more than one
- Additional details depend on the company
- General Guidance
- Sick Leave
- Employers with at least 5 employees or more than $1 million in net income must provide paid sick leave
- Employers with less then 5 employees and less than $1 million in net income must provide unpaid sick leave
- Most companies must provide 5 days or 40 hours of leave
- Additional Details