As you know, Congress passed the end of year Omnibus bill that addresses a series of appropriation issues and the COVID-19 Relief provisions.
A summary of the bill’s UC related provisions may be found here. Unemployed individuals will get an additional $300/week along with their regular state benefits from Dec. 26, 2020 to March 14, 2021. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for self-employed and gig workers is extended to March 14 (after which no new applicants will be permitted), but PUA recipients as of March 14 will be allowed to stay on three additional weeks before their benefits end (April 5). The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) that provides additional weeks of federal benefits when state UC benefits run out is also extended to March 14 (after which no new applications will be taken), and like PUA recipients, PEUC recipients as of March 14 can receive three additional weeks before their benefits end (April). The bill extends the interest-free status for loans to insolvent state UC trust funds through March 14. Finally, the bill strengthens program integrity and includes a requirement for applicants to (1) provide documentation of employment (not just self-certification as is currently the case) and (2) verify their identities. States now must have a place for employers to report when someone turns down a job and must notify claimants of the requirement to accept suitable work, unless there is good cause for their refusal. Legislation regarding most of the above issues is anticipated some time in February before their March expiration. Comments are closed.
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