Emilie Munson is reporting for the Times Union more than 2 million New Yorkers will begin to receive a new $300 weekly federal unemployment benefit next week, the state Department of Labor announced September 10. Up to 2.4 million state residents are eligible for the program, but some must submit an additional certification to qualify. New York was approved to distribute the new benefit by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Aug. 23. The benefit will be paid in addition to regular state unemployment benefits. It is being provided under a federal executive order signed by President Donald Trump after the previous federal unemployment benefit of $600 per week expired in late July. FEMA released funding for the first three weeks of benefits, covering the weeks ending Aug. 2, 9 and 16, the state labor department said. The state may be eligible for additional weeks of benefits if funding for the program lasts. The unemployment rate in New York was 16 percent in July, compared to national rate of 10.5 percent, according to the state. Congress has failed to strike a deal on an extension of the federal unemployment program, among several other disagreements over continued coronavirus relief. Read the full story in the Times Union.