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Is Unemployment Coming Back 2022

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No Chance Of Extending Federal Unemployment Benefits

Economic Outlook for 2022

The expiration of the federal governmentâs $300 weekly boost comes at a chaotic time for many American workers. As the nation grapples with cases of the contagious delta variant and the White House urges Americans to get vaccinated for Covid-19 , several states have reinstated indoor mask mandates to try to minimize the spread of the virus.

Although no large-scale economic shutdowns like those seen at the start of the pandemic have been announced, people job searching or who have just returned to the job market may be feeling less financially stable.

Since many have exhausted their state benefits, a wave of people will lose unemployment benefits once the federal bonus expires. Self-employed and gig workersâwho will lose Pandemic Unemployment Insurance benefits created in 2020âdonât have state programs to fall back on.

In a letter last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh reiterated President Bidenâs previous message that itâs appropriate to let benefits end in early September.

But ending the boost doesnât mean the economy is set up for smooth sailing after that.

âEven as the economy continues to recover and robust job growth continues, there are some states where it may make sense for unemployed workers to continue receiving additional assistance for a longer period of time. Allowing residents of those states more time to find a job in areas where unemployment remains high,â wrote Yellen and Walsh.

What About States Ending Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Early

Several states have already announced they will be ending their participation in the federally funded unemployment programs early in a bid to encourage jobless workers to return to the workforce.

In this situation retroactive payments for any eligible claims filed prior to the states pandemic program participation date will continue to be processed and paid. Retroactive benefit payments could occur several weeks after the end date for covered weeks as states update systems to account for the end of these programs and revert back to their traditional unemployment programs/systems.

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While the $600 FPUC program has now ended , with no formal extension in place due to a Congressional stalemate, it was been replaced by the Lost Wages Assistance unemployment benefits program. You can see this article for details on the now expired temporary LWA $300 weekly payment that President Trump approved in mid-August via executive order. Most states have made all payments under this program including retroactive payments.

No Biden Executive Order States Have Funding To Expand Unemployment Benefits

The Biden Administration has confirmed that they wont push to extend federally funded unemployment benefits past the September 6th expiration date via Executive Order or Congressional action. Instead they are encouraging states with high unemployment to use some of the existing $350 billion in ARPA stimulus allocated for State and Local Fiscal Recovery initiatives to fund enhanced unemployment benefits.

As discussed in this video, there is wide latitude for usage of these funds by state governors and departments, which includes funding emergency unemployment benefits. States who ended participation early in federal unemployment programs could also use these funds to extend/expand benefits if they choose to do so.

Some claimants may be eligible for State Extended Benefits , but after September 4th all claimants must have a regular UI claim to continue receiving benefits. See more in these state specific unemployment pages.

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What Was Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation was an emergency program designed to help Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by extending the number of weeks the unemployed could collect benefits. It was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, a $2 trillion coronavirus emergency stimulus package signed into law by former President Trump on March 27, 2020.

After a series of extensions, the program expired on September 6, 2021. In total, an additional 40 weeks were added to the original 13 weeks of extended benefits.

Will I Get Back Payments Automatically Applied Or Manual Claim/actions Required

What Is The Unemployment Rate 2020

Once states are able to update their IT systems to pay the extended PEUC and PUA benefits they are automatically adding the extra weeks to eligible claimant accounts. One the claimant claims or certifies for the relevant weeks they should get payment for current and past eligible weeks.

However due to the complexities, unique cases or system limitations some states area asking claimants to take manual actions to get back payments. For example in Pennsylvania , claimants on PEUC are being requested to email the UC Help Desk for backdating retroactive weeks. Similarly in IDES in IL is asking claimants to call their call center representatives to discuss backdating their claims

So essentially if you cannot claim your past weeks online or you have received a current/recent week payment but no back payments for prior eligible weeks or any official notification of delays, then you will likely have to take a manual action via your state UI agency to get your payment.

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When Will I Receive My Refund

You may check the status of your refund using self-service. There are two options to access your account information. Account Services or Guest Services

  • If you use Account Services, select My Return Status once you have logged in.Note: When you create a MILogin account, you are only required to answer the verification questions one time for each tax year. If you have previously established a MILogin account you may use the same username and password for multiple state agency access.
  • If you use Guest Services, select Wheres My Refund and you will be asked to enter the following information for security reasons:
  • Primary filers Social Security number
  • Primary filers last name
  • How Far Back Can I Claim The Retroactive Unemployment Benefits

    As discussed in this article, the new $300 FPUC payment for 2021 will only beretroactive to the start date of the new program coverage period in the same manner as previous supplementary UI benefit programs. This means that back payments for the new $300 FPUC are not payable retroactively for any week prior to December 27th, 2020 or March 14th , even if you were getting PUA and PEUC for the last several months.

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    Find Resources For Food Housing Health Assistance And More

    There are still a few federal relief programs in place to aid those who are struggling, including monthly advance child tax credit payments increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits emergency rental relief and the pause on federal student loan payments.

    Eligibility requirements vary, especially by location, so not everyone will qualify for them.

    The grassroots advocacy organization ExtendPUA has a resource page for additional financial, career and mental health resources, which goes beyond government assistance and includes help for things like utilities, Wi-Fi, UI claims disputes and “lots of mutual aid,” says ExtendPUA Executive Director Stephanie Freed. “We shouldn’t be relying on mutual aid to make sure people are surviving in this country, but it exists and is there to help.”

    She spent the last few weeks fielding desperate messages from families experiencing an immediate loss of income. “The message we’re telling everyone is: This is not right, and it’s not their fault. They’re not alone.”

    Policy Basics: How Many Weeks Of Unemployment Compensation Are Available

    India’s Covid Induced Unemployment Rises, High Hopes From Budget 2022

    Workers in most states are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits from the regular state-funded unemployment compensation program, although nine states provide fewer weeks, and two provide more. Extended Benefits are not triggered on in any state. Additional weeks of pandemic federal benefits ended in all states on September 6, 2021.

    The federal-state unemployment insurance system helps many people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages. Under certain circumstances, unemployed workers who exhaust their regular state-funded unemployment benefits before they can find work can receive additional weeks of benefits.

    Under the CARES Act responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, all states received access to federal funding to provide additional weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Assistance benefits to people who exhausted their regular state benefits, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to many others who lost their jobs through no fault of their own but who were not normally eligible for UI in their state. These and other pandemic-related emergency UI programs ended nationwide the first weekend of September 2021, but many states stopped providing these federal benefits before that.

    The map below shows the maximum number of weeks of benefits that are currently available in each state.

    The two states providing more than the 26-week maximum are:

    The states providing fewer than the standard 26-week maximum include:

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    Extended Federal Unemployment Benefits In Ct To End Soon

    However, jobless Connecticut residents will soon no longer qualify for federal extended unemployment benefits.

    Officials with the state Department of Labor said Connecticut will drop out of the federal extended benefits program effective Jan. 8, because the state’s three-month average unemployment rate has now fallen below 6.5%, the threshold for continued payments.

    But Continuing Claims Are At Lowest Level Since March 1970

    Initial claims for unemployment insurance across the U.S. were 227,000 for the week ending March 5, 2022, on a seasonally adjusted basis. This represented an increase of 11,000 from the revised figure for the prior week. This came after five declines in the prior six weeks. It also was 5.1% above the estimate of 216,000 , per economists polled by The Wall Street Journal.

    The four-week moving average for initial claims was 231,250, up by 500 from the revised figure for the prior week. In December 2021, initial claims had fallen to 188,000.

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    Nj Workers: Frequently Asked Questions During The Covid

    Below are common questions about the programs and benefits available to NJ workers, with answers and links to additional information.

    These laws and programs can be confusing. Please read carefully the information below and the additional resources linked from this page. It is important to apply for the program that best fits your situation applying for the wrong one could cause delays.

    Federal extended unemployment benefits expired on September 4, 2021. Please note that you will still be able to receive benefits for weeks prior to September 4, if you are found eligible for a claim filed before September 4, 2021. Learn more about state extended unemployment benefits here.

    This information is current as of March 21, 2022. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

    • Eligibility
    • Available
    NEW: How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I receive?

    Those who meet the requirements for traditional unemployment insurance may receive benefits for up to 26 weeks during a one-year period.

    Federal legislation expanded unemployment eligibility and extended unemployment benefits. These federal benefits expired on September 4, 2021. Visit our webpage on state extended benefits to learn more.

    What if my employer has gone out of business?

    You are likely eligible for unemployment insurance. Learn more and apply online at myunemployment.nj.gov

    What if Iâm still employed but Iâm not getting enough hours from my employer?
    What if my employer has furloughed me?

    With The Latest Batch Uncle Sam Has Now Sent Tax Refunds To Over 11 Million Americans For The $10200 Unemployment Compensation Tax Exemption

    Michigan Won

    If you received unemployment benefits last year and filed your 2020 tax return relatively early, you may find a check in your mailbox soon . Since May, the IRS has been sending tax refunds to Americans who filed their 2020 return and reported unemployment compensation before tax law changes were made by the American Rescue Plan.

    The tax agency recently issued about 430,000 more refunds averaging about $1,189 each. That brings the total count to over 11.7 million refunds totaling $14.4 billion for the 2020 unemployment compensation exclusion.

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    Total Nonfarm Payroll Jobs

    This comes from a monthly survey of approximately 80,000 California businesses that estimates jobs in the economy seasonally adjusted.

    • Month-over Total nonfarm jobs in Californias 11 major industries totaled 17,452,000 in April a net gain of 41,400 jobs from March. This followed an upwards revised month-over gain of 74,400 jobs in March.
    • Year-over Total nonfarm jobs increased by 925,200 from April 2021 to April 2022 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 6,620,000 jobs .
    +17,000 902,700

    Total Farm jobs The number of jobs in the agriculture industry showed no change from March to stay at 413,900 jobs in April. The agricultural industry has 3,300 more farm jobs in April 2022 than it did in April a year ago.

    How To File For Unemployment Benefits Back Payments

    Many of the recent comments in this article reflect the challenges with actually being able to claim unemployment back payments for eligible weeks. In particular getting through a live agent or getting a response from your local state agency has been a challenge which has often meant stress and panic around the status of your unemployment check, and if you will even be getting paid one for current or past weeks.

    While it varies by state, the following are the key ways to file and get your retroactive unemployment payments:

    • To claim past weeks or correct dates you will generally have to contact your state UI agency and get them to retroactively certify you for past week. Getting an agent is a challenge, so may agencies are offering secure message as a way to lodge your claim. New York is doing this extensively and people have reported this is more effective than trying to get through to someone.
    • States like Florida have actually setup dedicated phone lines and options to modify the date of unemployment claims or to certify for past weeks. In California, there is a dedicated site to certify for past weeks to confirm your eligibility .
    • Some states like PA are trying to do more of this online through their unemployment portals/dashboards, and actually are recommending claimants experiencing any errors or issues email their state agency. But response times are still expected to be several days.

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    Who Can Still Apply For Unemployment

    While pandemic unemployment has ended, regular unemployment is still available.

    Each state sets its own guidelines on how it issues unemployment insurance. In many cases, unemployment is available to salaried workers that lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

    Applicants must meet work and wage requirements and there is a limit for how many weeks can be claimed.

    Initial Unemployment Increases Jumped By 55000 Last Week The First Major Increase Seen In Months As Omicron Spreads And Disrupts Business Activity

    PUA,FPUC, DUA & All Them Federal Unemployment Assistant Coming Back In 2022

    The Department of Labor has reported that for the week ending on 15 January initial unemployment claims climbed by 55,000 to 280,000. This is not nearly as high as the numbers reached in the beginning of the pandemic, but is a significant increase compared to the low levels reached in late 2021. Late last year, the rate of first time claims for these benefits hit a historic low. This did not mean however, that the labor market had absorbed all workers who had been laid off during the pandemic.

    Are pandemic related extensions for unemployment benefits available?

    At this point there are no federal extensions to support those who have lost their jobs during the latest surge of the virus.

    The White House has argued that congressional approval for more federal funding for unemployment is not needed because of funds sent to state through the American Rescue Plan. The administration has urged states to use the money allocated to support workers who are laid off or continue to struggle to find work because of child care responsibilities or because they are a part of a high risk group when it comes to covid-19.

    Another option, rather than extending unemployment benefits, would be to use the funds to establish paid family leave programs so that workers are not laid off for covid-19 related reasons.

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    Californias Labor Market By The Numbers

    • California has now regained more than 91 percent of the 2,758,900 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Of the 428,000 nonfarm jobs gained nationally in April, California accounted for 9.7 percent of those gains.
    • At 925,200 jobs, California had the largest absolute year-over seasonally-adjusted job increase in the nation in April 2022.
    • California has enjoyed month-over gains in nonfarm jobs in 14 of the past 15 months totaling a 1,435,700 job gain over that time period.
    • Eight of Californias 11 industry sectors gained jobs with Leisure & Hospitality posting the largest increase for the third month in a row. Growth in full-service restaurants was the largest contributor towards the gain.
    • Information has now regained all of the job losses the sector had sustained due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The large reduction in Construction reflects losses in Building Foundation & Exterior Contractors and Building Finishing Contractors, which were impacted by rain in April.

    1. The unemployment rate comes from a separate federal survey of 5,100 California households.2. The nonfarm payroll job numbers come from a federal survey of 80,000 California businesses.

    Are Unemployment Benefits In The Stimulus Retroactive

    Yes, it is expected that unemployment benefits both supplementary and extended would be retroactive to the start of the program or latest extension, so many eligible recipients should get a pretty significant unemployment check payment if they face delays but are eventually approved for past weeks.

    Will I have a lapse or delay in getting my benefits if a bill does pass this year?

    Some are arguing that the ongoing delays in Congress passing a new stimulus bill that includes UI benefits extensions may mean a lapse or extended delay in 2021 payments even if a bill is passed in the next week or two. Based on the challenging rollout of other Pandemic unemployment programs this year, worker advocates say it could take weeks for the antiquated state unemployment systems and programs to get updated and process claims/payments for new benefits.

    With a month to go before the federal election, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are working hard to compromise on a new pre-election stimulus deal that will include additional unemployment benefits and another stimulus check. Per their recently passed bill in the house, Democrats are still pushing for a $600 p/week supplementary UI payment , but will likely have to settle for a maximum $400 weekly payment in line with the recently paid Lost Wages Assistance payment and the White House proposed $1.8 trillion stimulus bill.

    When will the payment be made?

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