By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – Thousands of jobless central and northern New Yorkers will lose their unemployment benefits this week because they expire.
Governor David Paterson is encouraging those who find themselves in that situation to visit the website www.mybenefits.ny.gov.
People can fill out basic information to find out what food programs, health programs, energy discount programs and other forms of public assistance they may qualify for.
Mike Clark, who works with the state labor department in the Utica area, says the site is easy to navigate.
Congress was working on passing a bill to extend unemployment benefits, but couldn't get it through before their spring break.
An expansion plan passed the house, but not the senate. A republican senator blocked the measure.