NYers, if you are NOT attempting to file for unemployment, something you can do to help your friends TODAY is to contact Roberta Reardon's & Gov. Cuomo's offices to ask them to waive the requirement that applicants verify their information over the phone to complete claims.

Folks are running out of money NOW, and estimates show unemployment checks take 2-3 weeks to be disbursed AFTER the claim is filed. That timeline won't start until people get through on the phone. Many people have tried calling thousands of times without even being put on hold.

You can contact the Dept. of Labor using this form: https://labor.ny.gov/secure/contact/form.asp?subject=18.

You can contact Gov. Cuomo using this form: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form or by phone at 518-474-8390.

To read more about this requirement: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-yorkers-have-been-trying-to-call-for-unemployment-for-weeks-now-theyre-running-out-of-money/2358626/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_NYBrand