Gordon Drafts Petition To Raise New York State Disability Insurance Benefits

New Hartford, NY (WIBX) - A new petition is making its way around the Oneida County Legislature, urging state lawmakers to increase disability benefit rates.

Democrat David Gordon says the current rate of $170 per week is too low and is not in line with today's cost of living.

"If people aren't making the money, they can't pay the bills, there's no disposable income and unfortunately, there's no money for the state," Gordon said. "The state can't collect money that's not there."

Gordon's petition asks state representatives to raise the benefit rate closer to the current maximum Unemployment Rate.

The petition has been signed by a majority of the legislature's Democrats, but Gordon says Republicans have been less willing to join, as none have signed it.