Treasury Includes UI Trust Fund Deposits in uses of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released a statement providing guidance on the use of $350 Billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The release provided below includes links to a description of permissible uses and the allocation of funds by state and county. Local governments should expect to receive funds in two tranches, with 50% provided [...]
Montana Ending Extra Federal Unemployment Compensation & Incentivizing Return to Work
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced that by June 27 Montana will end its participation in the federal supplemental unemployment benefit program that provides the jobless with an additional $300 a week and replace it with return to work bonuses. Congress enacted the supplement in its Covid legislation, but Governor Gianforte noted that it has become a disincentive to work. The [...]
President Biden and Senators Wyden and Bennet Propose Changes in UI
A national policy discussion is in progress with respect to Unemployment Insurance and the dramatic increases in payments to individuals who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and the ensuing economic recession. What support is appropriate? How should it be delivered? How can identity theft and fraud be avoided? How should the system be financed? Is a new system needed [...]
Business Groups Oppose Paying for Unemployment Not Related to Work
On April 20, 2021 business associations joined in a letter of opposition to unemployment insurance amendment provisions that were included in HR 1620 as it passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 17th. The letter raised a series of reasons for opposition, including: The amendment would impose a federal mandate that would be inconsistent with state law with respect [...]
States Triggering “Off” Extended Unemployment Benefits
Potential State UI trust fund Impact after September 6th for States Remaining "On" After a year of extremely high unemployment rates, regular extended unemployment compensation is beginning to trigger off in many states. The triggering off is due to reductions in the Total Unemployment Rate below 6.0% and the fact that the number of claims filed now is no longer [...]
COVID-19 Presumption for Longshore – taken out of Final American Rescue Plan Act
In response to opposition from UWC and an extensive list of employer representatives and workers’ compensation insurance plan representatives, the presumption of coverage and compensability for COVID-19 illness under the Longshore Act was taken out of the final version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The deletion came as the result of a determination that the proposed language [...]