6,000 on LI lose unemployment benefits
Laura Anne Fransen fills out a job application at a career fair on March 31, 2010. Credit: Getty Images File
Monday was a day of crisis for 46,000 people in New York State - including about 6,000 on Long Island: They had exhausted all 99 weeks of their unemployment benefits, the largest pool of jobless to have done so since 2002, according to the state Labor Department.
"The 99 weeks means all state and federal extensions have run out," said Labor Department spokesman Joe Morrissey. "There are no more extensions."
In 2002, about 53,000 people in the state lost their benefits.
The end comes after the U.S. government reported Friday that in March the nation's employers added the most jobs in three years. But the unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent for the third straight month. The unemployment rate on Long Island is 7.8 percent.
The Labor Department suggests that people whose unemployment benefits have expired visit one of the department's One-Stop Career Centers, where they can receive help with resume writing as well as with Smart 2010, which is an electronic job-matching service on the department's myBenefits.ny .gov Web site.
On the Island, career centers are in Patchogue, Oyster Bay and Hempstead.
The unemployed may be eligible for food stamps, home-energy assistance, earned income tax credits, child and dependent care credits, Medicaid or school lunch programs.
Morrissey said the state's maximum unemployment benefit is $430 a week - $405 from the state and $25 from the federal government's stimulus program. Gary Huth, principal economist for the Labor Department's regional office in Hicksville, said the job market is stabilizing, "but it's not the really strong bounce-back you'd like to see."
At a glance
What: New York State Unemployment Benefits
What happened: As of Monday, such benefits will cease for 46,000 unemployed in the state, including about 6,000 on Long Island.
Why: They have exhausted their 99 weeks of benefits, the maximum allowed.
What their options are: They can visit a state Labor Department One-Stop Career Center for help in resume writing or to use an electronic job-matching Web site. Such centers are in Patchogue, Oyster Bay and Hempstead.
What's the maximum benefit: $430 a week in New York State
What's the minimum: $64
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