If You Are Awaiting Unemployment Benefits, You Should READ This

If you are one of the millions of New Yorkers waiting for unemployment benefits, the state’s Department of Labor says you may be missing a key step to getting that money.

Thousands of Western New Yorkers are reporting that their claims have been approved but they have yet to see that money in their account.

News 4 Buffalo (WIVB) reports that State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon says that checks could be held up because people are not certifying their claims each week.

This is a requirement by the federal government which confirms that a person was unemployed for all or even just part of the previous week and that they’re willing and able to work.

It applies to both the traditional unemployment benefits and the pandemic unemployment insurance.

Currently people can only submit backdated certifications over the phone – but now they’ll be able to submit previous weeks certifications online.

The Department of Labor says people missing certification will be emailed and sent a form to be verified. Anyone without email will receive a phone call from a representative.