Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro’s resolution calling for a state investigation into processing delays of unemployment benefits was unanimously supported by the Legislature last Thursday.

Legislator Todaro introduced the resolution after hearing from many residents who have had trouble filing for unemployment during the COVID-19 outbreak. There are thousands of individuals in New York State who have waited weeks to receive benefits. Several state lawmakers have also called for increased oversight and accountability from the state Department of Labor.

Legislator Todaro said, “For the past several weeks, my office has received many calls from unemployment benefit applicants asking for assistance to navigate the overwhelmed and complicated state bureaucracy. Applicants, in many cases, have waited weeks or months for a return call from the Department of Labor in order to process their application. The severe lag time between initially filing for benefits and receiving the first check is causing major financial hardship for thousands of New York families. This isn't right, and needs to be addressed immediately.”

A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.