Anne McCoy is reporting for WRGB-TV Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s office announced December 29, that unemployed New Yorkers will begin receiving extended and expanded federal unemployment benefits starting the week of January 3. Unemployed state residents will receive an additional $300 per week in supplemental benefits. The legislation was signed into law earlier this week allowing for another round of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The measure also extends federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for those whose unemployment is related to the pandemic. The programs will continue through March 14, under the legislation extending existing programs from the federal CARES Act. The announcement came as a number of New Yorkers were in danger of losing federal benefits after the first stimulus program expired December 27. A spokesperson for the New York Department of Labor said New Yorkers will not face payment delays due to proactive work by the department, and because President Donald Trump signed the legislation this week. The spokesperson said the Department of Labor will have information in the coming days on a new federal program that will entitle certain eligible New Yorkers to $100 more per week. According to a news release, the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation program is “for individuals who earned at least $5,000 per year in self-employment income but are disqualified from receiving more substantial PUA benefits because they may be eligible for traditional state Unemployment Insurance.” According to a press release, the state has signed an agreement with the Department of Labor to offer MEUC benefits and is currently awaiting additional guidance from the federal government on implementing the program. Read more at cbs6albany [dot] com.