NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The New York Department of Labor reports that there have been 1.8 million applications processed in New York since the coronavirus crisis began, one million more than in 2019.
Since the beginning of March, the state has paid over $7.4 billion in unemployment benefits to New Yorkers.
"This is the result of a massive effort by thousands of department of labor of staffers along with workers of other state agencies," commissioner Roberta Reardon said.
Many New Yorkers facing delays are those who qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, created on March 27.
"We are now addressing those applications at top speeds," Reardon explained. "We have processed more than 330,00 PUA applications to date."
Reardon announced good news for New Yorkers who received forfeit day penalties and are prevented from receiving benefits for a certain number of days after claiming more benefits than they were entitled to.
"Today, we are suspending forfeiture day for the extent of the pandemic emergency."
Individuals will begin receiving the full benefits they would otherwise be eligible for.
"The payments should be arriving in the next two weeks and will include back pay through today's date," Reardon announced.