Provides that a claimant for unemployment benefits may claim an additional dependent allowance in an amount equal to 5% of the state average weekly wage for the current benefit year multiplied by the number of dependents claimed in the preceding tax year.
Summary
S09455 would amend New York’s Labor Law to create a new dependent allowance for unemployment insurance claimants. Under the bill, a person who claimed dependents on their prior year state income tax return and then has a valid original unemployment claim approved would receive an additional benefit amount tied to family size.
The allowance would be calculated as 5% of the state average weekly wage for the current benefit year, multiplied by the number of dependents claimed in the preceding tax year. The bill applies only to claimants who meet the dependency-reporting requirement and would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
This bill would modify section 590 of the Labor Law by adding a new unemployment benefit supplement for eligible claimants with dependents. It would increase potential unemployment insurance payments for qualifying workers and could raise program costs for the state unemployment system, while also creating a new statutory eligibility and calculation rule tied to prior tax filings and the state average weekly wage.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history available for this bill, so no formal legislative debate or recorded support/opposition can be identified from the provided materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears aimed at expanding financial support for unemployed workers with dependents, suggesting a generally worker-supportive policy approach.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether unemployment benefits should be augmented based on family size and prior tax filings, which may be viewed as a targeted anti-poverty measure by supporters and as an added fiscal burden or administrative complexity by critics. Potential points of concern include the use of the prior year tax return to determine eligibility, the fairness of tying benefits to claimed dependents, and the cost impact on the unemployment insurance system.
Provides that a claimant for unemployment benefits may claim an additional dependent allowance in an amount equal to 5% of the state average weekly wage for the current benefit year multiplied by the number of dependents claimed in the preceding tax year.
Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.
Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.
Provides that a claimant eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits shall also be entitled to receive a dependent allowance which shall begin at forty-five dollars and shall increase annually by an amount determined by the department of labor; directs the department of labor to report to the legislature following each calendar quarter certain information about dependent allowances and to make such reports available on its website; provides that a claimant's maximum benefit amount, including such dependent allowance, shall not exceed one hundred percent of such claimant's average weekly wage from their highest-earning calendar quarter.
Provides that a claimant eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits shall also be entitled to receive a dependent allowance which shall begin at forty-five dollars and shall increase annually by an amount determined by the department of labor; directs the department of labor to report to the legislature following each calendar quarter certain information about dependent allowances and to make such reports available on its website; provides that a claimant's maximum benefit amount, including such dependent allowance, shall not exceed one hundred percent of such claimant's average weekly wage from their highest-earning calendar quarter.
Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.
Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.
Requires that the average annual wage and average weekly wage of the state of New York, which determine the maximum cap for unemployment insurance benefits, be adjusted for inflation each year.
Provides that no entity shall receive fees for services rendered in a veterans' benefits matter until certain notice has been provided to the claimant; provides for the type of notice that shall be provided to claimants; defines terms; makes technical corrections.
Provides that any claimant who has received certain unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled shall not be held liable for the amounts overpaid provided certain conditions exist; directs the department of labor to provide claimants who have previously been denied waivers with applications for individual waivers; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.