For many New Yorkers who lost their jobs near the start of the recession nearly two years ago, this could be a terrifying week.
Unemployment benefits cannot be extended past 99 weeks, and for 46,000 New Yorkers, those 99 weeks are up.
Figures for how many Genesee County residents might be effected are not immediately available, but the Democrat and Chronicle reports that 2,100 Rochester-area residents will be losing their benefits this week.
In each of the following weeks, more and more people will see their benefits expire.
Last year, Congress extended the previous 26 weeks of benefits to 99 weeks, but officials are not expecting another extension.
State Labor officials are encouraging people who are losing benefits to visit the state's "My Benefits" site and complete a five-minute self-assessment of income and family situation to determine what other government aid might be available.
Potential assistance includes food stamps, health benefits, school lunch programs and other government programs.
Officials are also encouraging unemployed workers to reach out to job centers in the state, such as the one on East Main in Batavia, which can help with job-search tasks.
The latest figures from the Department of Labor put Genesee County's unemployment rate at 9.1 percent. The state's rate is 9.3 percent, while the rate nationally is 10.4 percent.
UPDATE: Jeanne Ianita, business services representative for the Department of Labor in Batavia, called with the local numbers. On the week ending March 28, 98 people in Genesee County lost their benefits. Over the next three weeks, unemployment payments will stop for another 19 people.
Below is a video produced by the State Department of Labor:
