Due Covid-19 pandemic, all sector of the economic has been affected and the Taxi Services is one of them. Even Though this service have been cataloged as essential service, demand of taxis on New York city has gone down closer 10 percent. Sometime drivers has to wait at least one hour or more to receive a call. Much of Taxi Services companies and Yellow cabs have reduce the quantity of car available for pick up. Many Drivers have embrace “Stay at Home policy” to avoid contagious and cooperate with authorities on this fight against Coronavirus.
In response to the COVID-19 Crisis, Drivers of Uber, Lyft and other FHV will receive benefits for unemployment. This group can start applaying now. Yellow cab lease and owner drivers, benefits will begin after New York State setup a especial program form independent contractors called “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)”. Such program will grants
and additional $600 above the weekly New York State unemployment rate and you are eligible to receive it every week until July 31st.
- Apply online at labor.ny.gov/signin.
- Apply by phone by calling 1-888-209-8124
- Click here to download a flowchart of the application process
- Click here for a factsheet from the NYS Department of Labor
Applying for unemployment does not disqualify you from the stimulus check. We will be sharing more information on the latest federal stimulus package in the coming days. If you live out of state but work in New York, you should apply for unemployment in New York state. All rideshare and taxi drivers–even those outside New York–should look into unemployment benefits.
This information was extracted and updated from a email send by TLC External Affairs on April 20, 2020. To keep posted of new updates, please visit New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) website or NYTWA, including when and how to apply, see the resources here.
