Establishes an unemployment bridge program and an unemployment bridge program fund to provide wage replacement to workers that do not qualify for unemployment insurance or other worker wage assistance programs and who have lost a major source of income due to lost work (Part A); establishes the "Digital Ad Tax Act (DATA)" creating a tax on digital advertising services (Part B).
Establishes an unemployment bridge program and an unemployment bridge program fund to provide wage replacement to workers that do not qualify for unemployment insurance or other worker wage assistance programs and who have lost a major source of income due to lost work (Part A); establishes the "Digital Ad Tax Act (DATA)" creating a tax on digital advertising services (Part B).
Allows approved claims of representatives for services rendered to a claimant in connection with an unemployment insurance claim to become a lien upon the benefit allowed; criminalizes certain violations relating to other forms of compensation in connection with an unemployment insurance claim; provides that a fee allowed shall be on a contingency basis and be equal to fifteen percent of the amount of the benefits to be paid to the claimant at the conclusion of services rendered.
Requires employers to report certain employees' wages for the purposes of unemployment benefits; relates to the payment of unemployment benefits, and employer penalties for non-compliance.
Removes the exclusion of part-time employees from certain definitions relating to employment and expanding the definition of employer; removes certain exclusions for employer notice requirements for the closing of a facility; removes the discretionary reduction of penalties for employers for certain acts or omissions concerning notice requirements for mass layoffs, relocations or employment loss; removes the maximum time period for determining back pay and other liabilities for certain employees who experience employment loss; allows the attorney general to take certain action to assist certain employees in receiving back pay and other liabilities; requires employers to pay severance to employees when there is a plant closing, relocation, or mass layoff.
Provides a credit against unemployment fund contributions for employers who employ persons in a recovery program by the office of addiction services and supports.
This bill increases the income threshold for a temporary public assistance benefit. It changes the rule so that individuals who recently started working can disregard all their earned income for up to six months (after job entry) if their total income is under 400% of the federal poverty level - up from the current 200% limit. This directly affects low-income working individuals receiving public assistance who are transitioning from unemployment to employment. The policy change aims to provide a longer financial buffer during early employment while maintaining eligibility for benefits.
Requires that notice of initial determinations for unemployment benefits be provided to claimants within 30 days of such claimant furnishing all necessary documentation, and if the commissioner is unable to issue a determination within such time frame they shall inform the claimant of the new estimated time frame for the issuance of a determination.
Creates a joint committee to provide oversight on unemployment insurance; authorizes the department of labor to conduct a study on how to improve unemployment insurance in the state.
This bill increases the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit rate in New York. It changes the calculation method so that starting in 2026, the maximum benefit will equal 50% of the state's average weekly wage (updated annually), replacing previous fixed dollar amounts. The change directly affects unemployed workers who receive the highest possible unemployment benefits under the state program. The bill also establishes that the maximum benefit amount cannot decrease from the previous year's level. This policy update ensures benefits adjust annually based on wage trends rather than fixed schedules.
