Advocates Seek $3B Extension Of Excluded Workers Fund In New York

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 10: In Spanish, people chant, “No somos uno. No somos cien. Somos millones, ¡cuéntanos bien! (We’re not one. We’re not one hundred We’re in the millions. Count us well!)” as excluded workers and supporters march in Midtown Manhattan on December 10, 2021 in New York City. The rally is meant to be a call to action for New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to add $3 billion to the Excluded Workers Fund. In early 2021, NY State lawmakers approved the $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund, which is now quickly running out of funds because of a soaring economic relief demand from eligible excluded workers. The one-time payment intended to help cover costs associated with joblessness, including back rent and medical bills, due to lost work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, advocates are asking for some form of unemployment insurance (UI) because many of the excluded workers are undocumented and do not qualify for unemployment insurance, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act nor federal stimulus checks or most government aid. Many heavily rely on lifelines like food pantries, negotiating with landlords, and other means of acquiring money. (Footage by Tomas Abad/Getty Images)