People who have been receiving an extra $600 to their state unemployment benefits won't be seeing that money after this week.

The money, which was approved by the federal government back in March, is set to expire on July 26 despite some businesses not being fully open.

State Sen. Jim Gaughran, of Syosset, says worries about the financial health and stability of Long Island's businesses and its workers is one of the reasons why he sent a letter to U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer.

 

Gaughran is asking them to extend the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, writing, "Without it, many individuals who are still out of work, due to no fault of their own, will face difficult decisions of whether to put food on the table or pay their bills."

The letter is also signed by Gaughran’s colleagues in the State Senate Democratic majority.

Gaughran adds that because of the federal government, people who lost income because of the pandemic were able to pay their bills and support their families. He says despite that, economic uncertainty remains and he is asking on behalf of all New Yorkers to keep the $600.