New York Lawmakers Waive Unemployment Benefit Penalties

New York would waive some unemployment benefit penalties during the coronavirus pandemic under legislation headed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for consideration.

The state Senate and Assembly, on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, passed S.8275A/A.10348, which would suspend the forfeiture of unemployment insurance benefits during the Covid-19 state of emergency.

People who knowingly received benefits they weren’t eligible for can be penalized if they apply for benefits in the future, in some cases having to wait weeks before they can collect benefits.

The bill, which was passed 48-14 by the Senate, and 96-47 by the Assembly, was one of dozens of ...