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Saturday, Apr. 3, 2021

Is New York State considering a new relief program for people ineligible for federal programs?

Lisa Freedland, Gigafact
yes

A bill introduced before New York State’s senate would provide financial assistance to people who have been excluded from federal coronavirus relief programs, including people who are living in the country illegally as well as the formerly incarcerated.

To be eligible for the fund, someone must have been excluded from state unemployment aid and various federal relief payments, and have lost income in the wake of the pandemic, or have been released from prison or detention since October 2020. Those eligible for the New York fund would receive $3,300 per month through the end of 2021.

Some proponents worry Gov. Andrew Cuomo will tighten documentation requirements, asking for bank statements, tax identification numbers or pay stubs that some applicants might not have.

The New York proposal is relatively generous; a similar California program is offering one-time $600 payments in 2021.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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