Since the moment that immigrant New Yorkers won a $2.1 billion fund to provide cash relief for excluded workers, we have been working with organizations across the state to raise public awareness about the fund in our communities and ensure that eligible workers are prepared to access it.
Meanwhile in Albany, Governor Cuomo has been playing backroom games to stop excluded workers from getting the relief they deserve. The Governor’s meddling is clearly reflected in the highly problematic program regulations that the Department of Labor released this week. These regulations could severely limit who can access the program, and make it nearly impossible for thousands of cash workers to access relief.
We’re fighting back against this cruelty, and doubling down on our efforts to ensure that eligible workers access the fund. Support this work with a donation today.
Today, our members gave testimony outside of the Governor’s office in midtown. As our member Eloisa Velazquez, who worked for years as a housekeeper before losing work during the pandemic, told NY1, “We need that money to pay bills, rent and other expenses due to the pandemic. We haven’t received any help.”
The Governor’s actions are no surprise. For years, immigrant and working-class New Yorkers have witnessed him try to block and undermine programs intended to provide vital relief to working people.
New York made history by passing the largest-ever cash relief program for undocumented workers. We are committed to making sure these excluded workers finally get the support they need and deserve.