ITHACA, N.Y. (WBNG) -- People hunting for jobs across New York State could see some relief from financial stress as unemployment benefits are set to significantly increase.

Since 2019, the weekly maximum amount a person could collect was $504, but times have changed over the last six years.

The new maximum amount has been raised to $869 per week, due to inflation and rising costs.

12 News spoke with Ian Greer, research professor at Cornell University, about how this increase will affect New Yorkers in today’s economy.

Greer said the increase is a step in the right direction, but it isn’t enough to close the gaps experienced by those collecting unemployment, especially in areas with high costs of living.

“It’s related to the average weekly wage in New York State; to the extent that wag

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