New York State Assemblyman Dan Stec is calling on the the state and federal government to lift taxes on unemployment checks, while the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the state.

Right now, there is a 10 percent federal tax and a 2.5 percent state tax on all unemployment checks. With thousands of New Yorkers out of a job, Stec said that suspending these taxes is one way the state can help.

"New York State is bearing the brunt of this pandemic and our residents are experiencing some of the toughest financial times we have seen in decades,” Stec said. “A significant portion of New Yorkers are currently laid off or unemployed as we attempt to slow, and hopefully, prevent the spread of the Coronavirus."

Stec is also asking the state allow self-employed individuals, such as freelance or gig workers, to apply for unemployment benefits.

As it stands now, the U.S. Senate stimulus bill that would provide federal aid to areas and people most affected by the coronavirus, would allow independent contractors to access unemployment insurance.

It would also expand unemployment benefits, by providing people an additional $600 a week on top of what they would take home normally from an unemployment check.

"Low-income workers, for example, might only receive $250 a week in unemployment insurance which is not enough to pay the rent, put food on the table, and pay bills," Julia Rosner, senior staff attorney at Legal Services NYC, said.

The U.S. Senate late Wednesday passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems.