New York needs federal monetary assistance or there could be across-the-board 20 percent cuts to education, hospitals and local governments, Governor Andrew Cuomo warned on Monday.

State lawmakers earlier this month approved a $178 billion spending plan that was largely a placeholder document given the deep financial uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic and the dried-up tax revenue.

“I’m telling you New Yorkers need funding for this budget, unless you can’t do it otherwise,” Cuomo said.

“This is the worst time to do this,” he added on the potential of making cuts.

More than 16,000 people are hospitalized with the virus, essentially no change from the prior day. More than 400 people have died in New York in the last 24 hours, continuing several days of a declining fatality rate.

Another federal relief bill is being considered by Congress before the month ends, and Cuomo wants hazard pay for front-line pandemic workers included in the agreement.

New York’s finances continue to be on shaky footing amid the pandemic. The state closed non-essential businesses in March, and thousands of people have applied for unemployment benefits in the last month.

State officials said Monday that a streamlined effort had led to a reduced backlog of people seeking benefits in recent days.

The state is taking the initial steps toward creating a plan for a phased reopening of the state’s economy.

That includes a widespread antibody testing survey of 3,000 New Yorkers around the state so officials have a “snapshot” of the virus’ penetration, Cuomo said. Those tests began Monday.

Wider-spread testing, however, will need federal support, Cuomo said.