As Jobless Rate Climbs, More New Yorkers Seek Assistance

A July 3rd New York Times article reports that the current recession- evidenced by the rising unemployment rate, now at 9.5%- has yet to release its hold. With so many New Yorkers attempting to collect the Umemployment Insurance benefits they are entitled to, the process can be lengthy and confusing.  Legal Services NYC provides Unemployment Insurance assistance throughout the City, funded by the NYC Council and foundations, to help people access their benefits when they have been denied. 

LS-NYC has an over 85% success rate representing clients on appeal —
including a recent victory by attorney Julie Chartoff of Brooklyn Legal
Services Corporation A (a program of Legal Services NYC) on behalf of one of the workers quoted in the
article:

"It looks really bad," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for
Economic and Policy Research in Washington. "There are no green shoots
here. People can't spend when they don't have the money."

For another month, the average length of official unemployment
increased, this time to 24.5 weeks – the highest level since the
government began tracking such data in 1948. The unemployment rate, 9.5
percent, is the highest since 1983.

Layoffs have slowed in recent months, but hiring has yet to pick up,
meaning that jobless people face a more frustrating search.

In the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Jeffrey Jones, 40, has found no
work since losing his job as a cook at a senior center in October. He
worries about paying rent and caring for his four children.

"I know I'm not supposed to be letting it stress me out," he said. "The
way I'm going now, I won't be able to make it too much longer. I can't
go this long without doing something for my family."

 Read the full New York Times article here.