Starting this week, New York State will begin implementing cuts to unemployment benefits due to the federal sequestration. About 140,000 people will have their benefits cut by about 11%. The cuts affect those who have been collecting unemployment for more than 26 weeks. Some states are waiting longer to make the cuts, but cutting them by more to make up for the delay. Studies show that more than 5 million people have been unemployed for more than 27 weeks, with an average of 37 weeks.
See "New Yorkers Brace for Cuts in Unemployment Benefits", Patrick McGeehan, The New York Times, April 11, 2013