New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S09841

Introduced
4/7/26  

Caption

Provides that any claimant who has received certain unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled shall not be held liable for the amounts overpaid provided certain conditions exist; directs the department of labor to provide claimants who have previously been denied waivers with applications for individual waivers; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.

Impact

If enacted, S09841 would significantly alter the landscape of New York's unemployment benefits recovery process. The bill seeks to prevent unjust financial burdens on claimants who unintentionally received overpayments, reflecting a compassionate approach to unemployment insurance. The emphasis on conditions that shield claimants from overpayment recovery aligns with broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations amid economic uncertainties, particularly following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary

Bill S09841 aims to amend New York's labor law regarding the recovery of overpayments of unemployment benefits. It stipulates that any claimant who received benefits they were not entitled to after January 27, 2020, shall not be liable to repay those amounts if specific conditions are met. These conditions include that the overpayment was not due to willful false statements or misrepresentation by the claimant and that recovery would be against equity and good conscience. The bill emphasizes fairness in extraordinary circumstances, allowing claimants to appeal for waivers of debt repayment under defined conditions.

Contention

As discussions around the bill unfold, notable contention may arise regarding the balance between protecting claimants and addressing potential abuses in the unemployment system. Critics may argue that the provisions designed to prevent recovery of overpayments could encourage careless application or exhaust the state fund, while proponents maintain that the bill's focus on fairness ensures that individuals who accidentally benefited, without malintent, are not unduly penalized. The nuanced definitions of fault and the process of appealing for waivers will be key points of interest among legislators and stakeholder groups.

Companion Bills

NY A09578

Same As Provides that any claimant who has received certain unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled shall not be held liable for the amounts overpaid provided certain conditions exist; directs the department of labor to provide claimants who have previously been denied waivers with applications for individual waivers; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.

Previously Filed As

NY A09578

Provides that any claimant who has received certain unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled shall not be held liable for the amounts overpaid provided certain conditions exist; directs the department of labor to provide claimants who have previously been denied waivers with applications for individual waivers; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.

NY S00444

Provides that any claimant who has received certain unemployment benefits to which they were not entitled shall not be held liable for the amounts overpaid provided certain conditions exist; directs the department of labor to provide claimants who have previously been denied waivers with applications for individual waivers; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.

NY A08483

Provides that no entity shall receive fees for services rendered in a veterans' benefits matter until certain notice has been provided to the claimant; provides for the type of notice that shall be provided to claimants; defines terms; makes technical corrections.

NY A09555

Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.

NY S09383

Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.

NY A09643

Provides that a claimant eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits shall also be entitled to receive a dependent allowance which shall begin at forty-five dollars and shall increase annually by an amount determined by the department of labor; directs the department of labor to report to the legislature following each calendar quarter certain information about dependent allowances and to make such reports available on its website; provides that a claimant's maximum benefit amount, including such dependent allowance, shall not exceed one hundred percent of such claimant's average weekly wage from their highest-earning calendar quarter.

NY S09382

Provides that a claimant eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits shall also be entitled to receive a dependent allowance which shall begin at forty-five dollars and shall increase annually by an amount determined by the department of labor; directs the department of labor to report to the legislature following each calendar quarter certain information about dependent allowances and to make such reports available on its website; provides that a claimant's maximum benefit amount, including such dependent allowance, shall not exceed one hundred percent of such claimant's average weekly wage from their highest-earning calendar quarter.

NY A10304

Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.

NY S09384

Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.

NY A08480

Includes the unaccrued portion of a non-schedule award in the amounts to be payable to and for the benefit of certain persons where a claimant was entitled to death benefits at the time of death.

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