ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) -- Monday, the New York State Department of Labor announced the launch of a new application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional unemployment benefits, or the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. 

Officials say the application will connect New Yorkers with benefits faster without requiring them to call the Department of Labor. 

Before Monday, due to federal guidelines, New Yorkers were required to apply for regular unemployment insurance and be rejected before applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The new application, which officials say "aligns with updated federal policy", residents will be able to fill out just one form to get the correct benefits. 

Additionally, the DoL says it has deployed over 3,100 representatives dedicated to answering unemployment benefit needs seven days a week, up from 400 who previously manned the call center before the pandemic. 

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, DoL says it has paid approximately $2.2 billion in unemployment benefits to 1.1 million New Yorkers. Additionally, they say the application call backlog prior to April 8 has been reduced to 4,305 from 275,000. 

"I have been unemployed before myself, and I understand the pain, fear and anxiety New Yorkers are facing. The DOL's mission is to help our neighbors through some of their toughest days, and in the last week we have made great strides in updating our systems," NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. "While it appears the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to stabilize — at least from the public health perspective — we know that many New Yorkers are still facing an uncertain economic future, and the Department of Labor will continue to dedicate every resource available to helping New Yorkers weather this storm."

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was included in the $2.2 trillion Federal CARES Act. It provides unemployment benefits for those who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance such as: 

  •     Self-employed New Yorkers;
  •     Independent contractors;
  •     New Yorkers who worked for an app-based company (i.e. "gig workers")
  •     Farmers;
  •     Those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have COVD-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis;
  •     Those living with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
  •     Those providing care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19;
  •     A primary caregiver for a child unable to attend school or another facility due to COVID-19;
  •     Those unable to reach their place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because they have been advised by a medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19;
  •     Those scheduled to commence new employment that cannot reach their workplace as a direct result of COVID-19;
  •     Those who became a major breadwinner because the head of their household died from COVID-19;
  •     Those who quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19;
  •     Those whose place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19;
  •     Those with insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19; and
  •     New Yorkers otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19