Sign the petition calling on Congress to extend unemployment compensation during COVID-19.
United States Congress
We have some bad news: As it stands, the $600/week Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) benefits are set to expire on July 26. This will leave thousands of drivers without the relief needed to cover monthly expenses.
Join us in demanding that Congress extend Pandemic Unemployment Compensation beyond July 26, ensuring that NY Drivers have adequate relief to cover expenses through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, the vast majority of drivers are only receiving $200/week in Unemployment Assistance, covering less than half of their usual earnings. Without the $600 PUC relief payments, most drivers will not have enough to cover NYC rent, food, car insurance, and all other monthly costs.
We must call on Congress to take action immediately to extend PUC benefits. Drivers across NY are juggling car insurance, car payments, plus rent and groceries, all without their usual, full paychecks. To avoid further the health financial crisis for more than 100,000 New York City drivers, we are advocating Congress continue critical relief until regular business can resume.
Sign the Petition Today
As always, we will keep you updated as we receive more information.Thank you and stay safe,
Independent Drivers Guild
Sponsored by
To:
United States Congress
From:
[Your Name]
More than 100,000 New York City families depend on taxi or for-hire vehicle work for their incomes. Yet, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, business has been largely at a standstill, forcing drivers to rely upon unemployment relief payments to cover their monthly expenses. Currently, thousands of drivers rely on $600/week Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) payments to pay for rent, food, car insurance, and all other monthly costs.
The $600 PUC payments are set to end on July 26, 2020. If drivers no longer receive these payments, most will be forced to rely on $200/week Unemployment Assistance payments that cover less than twenty percent of an average worker’s pay. The highest expenses drivers face are contractual, and the bills keep coming. Car payments and for-hire vehicle insurance alone cost the typical driver more than$1500 per month.
It is unrealistic to assume that business for drivers will be back to normal by the end of July. Many drivers must also stay at home with their kids because schools and childcare have not yet resumed. Without PUC payments, drivers will struggle to cover critical expenses, which could have drastic health and financial ramifications for the affected families.
We are coming together as drivers to call on Congress to extend Pandemic Unemployment Compensation beyond July 26, 2020.
To avoid furthering the health and financial crisis, Congress must take action to extend PUC. These $600 payments are the only thing keeping millions of American families afloat, including more than 100,000 families in NYC alone. Congressional leaders must fight for this critical legislation before it is too late.
When the city needs drivers, they always answer the call. This time, drivers are making the call to ensure their safety and security during this time, and they expect you to answer.