New York Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19

In the state of New York, if your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an unemployment insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to eligible workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced. SAG-AFTRA is asking city, state, and federal governments to provide alternative sources of revenue for entertainment workers who have lost work due to a production shutdown. 

At this time of global crisis, New York has waived the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance. If you’ve lost work due to the coronavirus, visit this website to determine if you’re eligible for relief. 

New York State and New York City require paid sick leave for certain workers. Unfortunately, many entertainment workers are not eligible for the program right now. SAG-AFTRA is reaching out to city, state, and federal governments to try and remedy this gap in eligibility with new legislation or rule changes. Visit the New York State and New York City websites for more information on potential eligibility.  

Other important websites to visit are the New York Department of Health and the New York Attorney General pages. 

Members are directed to the following government websites for updates and information: 

Stay up to date on what New York City is doing to respond to the coronavirus by texting COVID to 692-692.

Additional Resource: Job Protections and Leave for Quarantined Workers