When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, in addition to the obvious health crisis, New York also faced a devastating economic crisis. Countless businesses faced lockdown orders that led to many constituents losing their jobs. While many filed for unemployment benefits, the sheer volume of applications overwhelmed the system and thousands did not receive a response while remaining desperate for economic relief.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein’s office received thousands of calls from frantic constituents who needed assistance. In response, the Assemblyman’s office had three staff members solely designated to assisting constituents with unemployment and ensuring that each individual’s application was completed and processed by the Department of Labor. The reason why applications were not processed varied from case to case, ranging from incomplete information to processing errors to the system being overwhelmed. But due to the intervention of Assemblyman Eichenstein’s capable staff, thousands of constituents were assisted and were granted benefits in a timely fashion, and most of those who reached out to the Assemblyman’s office for help began to receive their benefits shortly thereafter.

“No one could have anticipated a situation where thousands of my constituents would suddenly become unemployed,” said Assemblyman Eichenstein. “I’d like to thank the officials at the Department of Labor for working with us on these issues and for their swift action in helping our constituents receive the benefits they deserve. I am also proud of my dedicated staff who worked tirelessly during these most challenging times. Assisting constituents in times of crisis is what public service is all about.”

If you or someone you know still needs assistance in filing for unemployment, please reach out to the Office of Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, at 718-853-9616 or via email: EichensteinS@nyassembly.gov.