Time was running out for 56,000 New Yorkers whose unemployment benefits were coming to end last week. Those who have been unemployed for more than a year, who were still jobless and had exhausted their 59 weeks of benefits, faced the prospect of having no income at all to survive. With job layoffs continuing — in addition to hiring freezes — few are finding work. Food stamps, public assistance, and homelessness would have been the next stage for many, without intervention.

On Wednesday, May 20th, Governor David Paterson signed a bill extending unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks. With New York State’s unemployment rate at 7.8%, the money will come from a share in the $787 billion Federal stimulus package. “These federal funds will alleviate some of the suffering and the fear that comes with the loss of a paycheck and the inability to find a job,” stated Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Those of us who will be the recipients of this additional 3-month reprieve are grateful to the Governor and the State Legislature for the passage of this bill. Unlike the 6-week gap that preceded the previous 13-month extension, we can continue filing for our benefits without interruption and file our weekly claim this Sunday.

-By Yvonne Fitzner, Contributing Writer & Member