Maltese reached out to Governor concerning NYS DOL Portal Issues

Maryann Maltese, Democratic Candidate, NYS Assembly 12th AD, Former Regional Communications Manager reached out to Governor Andrew Cuomo inquiring why the present online My benefits portal does not provide Drop Box Selection for recipients to submit required documents.

It's clear, that not having immediate access to one's unemployment benefits on their New York State Key Bank ATM Card is unacceptable. Shutting down one's ability to use their ATM cards in Merchants or at the ATM with correlating acceptable forms of Identification prevents the recipient from accessing their funds in dire situations. Recipients who use these ATM/Credit Cards depend on having immediate access to the UIB and PUA set-up to help those in need, said Maryann Maltese. Whether one connects with Key2benefits, or accesses mybenefits.ny.gov-the portal is not accessible to uploading the required documents. The purposes of Portals is to provide the Consumers with better COMMUNICATION access during COVID 19 Pandemic and coming into the Millennial Communications era, said Maryann. Not fully have complete access to upload personal identify documents, such as one's Social Security Number from their Computer adds to the ability for personal information to be compromised.

Presently, Key Bank, is not located on Long Island, and NYS Department of Labor does not have a contract in place with a subsidiary banking institution to fix issues with recipient cards. When you contact the number on the Back of your Key Bank ATM/Credit card you can not speak to a Bank representative from Key Bank as they do no have any role in fixing issues with the card. Key Bank directs recipients to a Text-Link which differentiates between those of us who are Key Bank Clients and those of us who are receiving NYS Unemployment Benefits. The issue is that NYS has not fully contracted the terms needed for Key Bank to perform other phone services for UIB recipients on behalf of NYS-meaning Key Bank without NYS's authorization can not replace existing defunked Unemployment ATM/Credt Cards. By not providing this customer service or ability to either take the block of existing accounts or issue new ATM Cards-it often prevents the recipients ability to access their Unemployment benefits. As NYS is the the facilitator they are required to ensure that recipients can notify the Financial Institution (Key Bank) and that the State offers a better alternative to Recipients. The whole purpose for the recipient to use the UIB Unemployment ATM/Credit Card is to give them easier access to their benefits, to prevent fraud by less loss with paper instruments issues and for the department to ensure identification of the recipients-less fraud, said Maryann Maltese.

In my opinion and legislatively wise going forward, NYS should contract with a subsidiary Financial Institution or create a 2nd Contract with a Downstate Banking Institution that can facilitate consumer issues for the Down-State Unemployment Recipient. Banks-like Insurance Agencies are granted permission to operate in localities-they're not always permitted Statewide business permits of usage. The approval of this legislation and implementation boosts morale between the UIB client and the Financial Institution-keeping the recipient involved in business practices. By shutting recipients access unnecessarily to their benefits is a poor reflection of NYS-and not having an alternative method in place on Weekends or Holidays where the recipient can speak to a customer service representative on call should be provided. If NYS rethinks the structuring of how they implement the program-then the process falls within the State's Promotional aspects of "I Love NY" demonstrating NYS's commitment to State Residents, said Maryann Maltese.

If you're experiencing issues with your New York State Benefit Key Bank Card-reach out to me, all information remains confidential. Share your story and contact the Governor's office issuing a complaint. If you support Maryann Maltese's suggestion above; state it as such in your email or correspondence to NYS and CC. me on the email. The decision to make emergency changes at this point is the Executive's as NYSDOL can not contract with another Financial Institution to make changes without Legislative input and they are not presenting in Legislative Session unless called into Emergency Session, said Maryann Maltese

Once I'm in Albany, I will introduce the Legislation to ensure that Regional Banking Institutions are required to be the facilitators and in NYS we might need a few Banks operating their business in NYS to be on board.

Maryann Maltese, a Former Regional Communications Manager-Chief of Staff, for NYS Legislature seeking Election to NYS Assembly 12th AD. Maryann is also a licensed Real Estate Associate and owns a Hair Styling Business in East Northport, NY. 11731. Maryann received her Hair Styling license from Northport BOCES and her BA in Political Sciences from Queens College.

To reach the Governor office: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact, 518-474-8390 or write to the The Honorable Andrew Cuomo, Governor NYS, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany NY. 12224

To get involved with campaign, reach out to maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com