Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York needs billions of dollars from the federal government to keep up with the monsoon of unemployment claims.

The Department of Labor reported that 207,172 initial claims were made in the week of April 18. In the same week last year, 12,250 initial claims were made.

The number of unemployment claims has increased by nearly 1,600%.

In the Hudson Valley during that same week, 945 initial claims were filed last year. This year, over 18,000 were filed, which is a 1,866% increase.

State Sen. David Carlucci says that some programs may need to be cut to fund unemployment.

Connor Stengle, of Wappingers Falls, says he waited six weeks to hear back about his application and is now worried.

The Department of Labor told News 12 in a statement, "All benefits, including enhanced benefits, are being paid, and to help ensure it remains that way the state has applied for an up to $4 billion, no interest federal loan."

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