Unemployed New Yorkers to Get $600 and Extended Benefit Period

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says steps are being taken to develop better testing that could help get some workers back on the job as soon as is safe as the coronavirus crisis continues.

April 8, the Governor announced the state is sending all unemployed New Yorkers $600  and extending the unemployment benefit coverage period by another 13 weeks to 39 weeks.

Cuomo says it's his understanding the federal government will reimburse New York State for the payments but residents struggling as businesses remain shut down need the money right now.

The new testing that is being developed would be able to detect if someone has been exposed to the virus, had COVID-19 and recovered or have never had the novel coronavirus in their system and could possibly safely return to work.