A total of 3.8 million laid-off workers applied for first time unemployment benefits last week. More than 30 million have now filed in the past six weeks.

Meanwhile, some Long Island businesses are still unsure if they will get the Paycheck Protection Program life-line.

News 12 has heard many stories of business owners who say they had all their paperwork done and filed their applications in the first day of the first round of stimulus money, yet never heard back. In addition, they haven't heard back as this first week of stimulus round two comes to a close.

One of those businesses is Andy's Auto Body in Lindenhurst.

"I tried calling them, no one would return my phone call. I emailed him 10 times, never got an email back. So I started scrambling, trying to find another lender. So I put in applications with about 10 other lenders now and I'm sure at this point the money is running out soon and I don't have an SBA number yet," said Andrew Helsinger.

However, there are also thousands of businesses across the Island that did hear back this week that their loan applications were accepted.

Since 1920, Anthony Meras' family has owned the popular Riverhead luncheonette Papa Nick's. But over the past few weeks the third-generation owner wasn't sure if they'd be able to stay open.

"There were a few times I was by myself and I had a couple tears and I was like, I don't know if we can keep going," says Meras.

But good news came when its SBA application was accepted. Meras banks with BNB, which has processed about 3,800 loans.

For many it will allow them to stay in business. The money has to be used primarily for payroll, but can also go to such things as rent and utilities, and in most cases, the loans don't have to be paid back.