US Treasury and US DOL Permit ARPA Funds to be Used for Expanded Unemployment Benefits after September 6th
On Thursday, August 19, 2021 the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Secretary of Labor informed congressional leadership that states could use some of their shares of ARPA funds to further extend expanded unemployment compensation and assistance. Download the PDF here and read the article here. The letter outlines specific steps that the federal agencies are taking. First, [...]
US DOL Begins UI Modernization Assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
On August 11, 2021 the US Department of Labor released a series of documents describing how it intends to use the $2 billion in funds to assist with UI Modernization and addressing Fraud in the UI system. These funds were part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that responded to systems and integrity needs that impacted the UI [...]
Business Associations Support Cancellation of Pandemic Unemployment Extra Benefits
In May 2021, Governor Mike DeWine notified the United States Department of Labor that Ohio would be terminating its administration of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) and the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (“MEUC”, together with the FPUC the “Temporary Federal UI Programs”) programs. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Business Roundtable, the Ohio Restaurant Association, the Ohio Hotel [...]
Connecticut Enacts Burdensome New Employer UI Quarterly Report Requirements
On June 23rd Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed SB 1202, the implementing bill companion to the state budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2023. Included in the bill was a provision that would impose a tremendous reporting burden for employers doing business in the state of Connecticut. The legislation dramatically expands the requirements for quarterly reports from name, social security [...]
US DOL Provides Guidance on Transition from Temporary CARES Act Provisions
On July 12, 2021, the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration provided guidance to states with respect to the transition from the temporary unemployment benefit programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. A link to the guidance may be found at doleta.gov. Highlights of this UI PL No. 14-21, Change 1 include: The agreements [...]
Biden Administration Plans Regulations to Impact Workers’ Compensation Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP)
On June 11, 2021, the Biden administration released its Spring 2021 listing of plans for regulations. The plans include regulations to address Medicare Secondary Payer issues in workers’ compensation settlements. See View Rule (reginfo.gov) HHS/CMS RIN: 0938-AT85 Publication ID: Spring 2021 Title: Medicare Secondary Payer and Future Medicals (CMS-6047) Abstract: This proposed rule would clarify existing Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) obligations associated [...]