Expiration Of Federal Unemployment And Pandemic Benefits
As of September 5, 2021, several federal unemployment benefit programs have expired across the country, per federal law. The federal benefit programs that have expired include:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
- Extended Benefits
- $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
- $100 Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation
Unemployment Insurance benefits will continue to be paid to eligible claimants. To be considered eligible for UI after September 5, 2021, a claimant must be unemployed AND be in the first 26 weeks of benefits. Claimants can find their effective days remaining in their online Payment History. Because FPUC has expired, any weeks a claimant is eligible to receive UI benefits after September 5, 2021 will no longer include the additional $300 in FPUC.
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Lost Wages Assistance Program Now Expired
The temporary $300 unemployment benefit under the Lost Wages Assistance program funding has now been paid in all states who participated in the program. The program expiry date was December 27th, 2020 and this means that any new or retroactive payments under this program will NO longer be paid out going forward. This has been replaced by the new $300 FPUC payment discussed above.
This supplementary payment was a temporary, but much needed benefit for unemployed or underemployed workers who lost the supplementary $600 FPUC weekly payment at the end of July. There was a lot of confusion on when the $300 would actually be paid by state UI agencies which led to the creation of the LWA state tracker table below, which shows the payment status and actual or estimated future date claimants can expect their first weekly unemployment payment, if eligible. You can also see the 1000+ comments from readers that share their experiences around the LWA payment, including some very useful tips if you are facing issues getting your $300 LWA payment.
Are Unemployment Benefits Retroactive
Yes. Once their state is set up, people already receiving benefits will see the supplemental aid come through with their regular state payments, retroactive to Aug. 1, the FEMA guidance says. States that began reconfiguring their systems on Aug. 8 could start administering payments by Aug. 29, according to the Department of Labor.
Experts worry about how long it could take. Many states already lacked the technology to deal with the massive wave of layoffs and furloughs in the spring, causing issues for their computer systems.
In Kentucky, Beshear said that those receiving benefits for the weeks of July 26 to Aug. 15 will be eligible to receive the additional $400, but said that people likely won’t start receiving the money until early September.
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How To Use Rest Of Federal Aid
Last month, the Murphy administration invited dozens of groups to provide input on how the state should use the balance of its unallocated federal aid, which must be obligated by the end of 2024.
A state budget enacted in late June set aside a little over $2 billion of New Jerseys share of federal pandemic aid for items including rent and utility bill assistance and upgrades at trauma centers.
Meanwhile, in addition to providing states with pandemic relief funding, the federal government has also been paying for the enhanced unemployment-insurance benefits and covering the cost of other temporary changes to benefits programs.
But the authorization for the enhanced benefits expires Sept. 4, and the U.S. Congress has decided not to extend them any longer as some have raised concerns that they may be keeping some people from rejoining the workforce amid the nations ongoing economic recovery. However, others have argued against halting the enhanced benefits at a time when COVID-19 cases are surging.
Murphy suggested during Mondays briefing that continuing the enhanced jobless benefits is ultimately an issue for the federal government to determine. He also said that no state so far has stepped in to pick up the tab as the federal authorization is set to expire.
The proper way to extend federal UI benefits is through federal action, not a patchwork of state ones, Murphy said.
When Will The $300 Unemployment Payments Kick In
In order to receive the additional $300 per week in FEMA assistance, states have to apply for it. Many states have applied already, and several have been approved. Keith Turi, FEMA assistant administrator for recovery, told reporters this week he believes a majority of states eventually will apply for the additional aid. However, there are quite a few states that have yet to apply, and a couple have declined the assistance.
I think the reason that states are reluctant to get engaged is because of the technology involved, said Jane Oates, a former U.S. Department of Labor official who now serves as president of the advocacy group WorkingNation. Many of the states are using antiquated technology that doesnt have interoperability. … its very difficult for them to add it to the unemployment checks of out-of-work workers.
Getting that money into unemployed workers pockets depends on when the state applied, when it gets approved for funding and how quickly it can update computer systems to handle the payments. Arizona, for example, has already paid out benefits to qualifying residents. Other states may need six weeks or longer to get up and running.
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How Do The $300 Unemployment Benefits Work
Anyone getting state unemployment has been getting the federal money since the CARES Act passed in March of 2020. But the federal bonus was $600 in that original COVID-19 relief package.
That expired in July of 2020 and was replaced by a $300-a-week federal bonus. President Donald Trump signed a bill in December that extended that program through March 14, 2021.
ARPA essentially picks up where the last bill left off. As with the previous benefits, you must be unemployed because of COVID-19 and, depending on where you live, you may need to complete regular work search requirements to remain eligible.
You need to apply for the extra benefits through your states website. That has proven a challenge in many states where antiquated computer systems were overwhelmed and started wheezing like a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron with 593,842 miles on the odometer.
Those problems have been mostly resolved, though a little patience might still be called for. New applicants will need to provide income and unemployment records.
ARPA allocated $300 billion for unemployment payments, but the Labor Department warned it might take a few weeks for states to tweak their computer systems to account for the extension.
The period between March 14 and Sept. 6 spans 25 weeks. If the payments were to pick up immediately, thats $7,500 extra in federal money for individuals. ARPA also increased the maximum period of benefits from 50 weeks to 79 weeks.
Federal And State Extended Benefits
Federal benefits created during the pandemic including PUA, PEUC, and FPUC end Sept. 4. Any funds remaining in your unemployment account related to these federal programs will not be available for certification or payment for weeks of unemployment ending after Sept. 4, 2021, per federal law.
Please note that you will be able to receive benefits for weeks of unemployment ending prior to Sept. 4, per your weekly certification answers. If you are currently in an appeal or adjudication process, or have an appointment scheduled after Sept. 4, please continue to certify weekly, follow instructions and monitor your email.
To learn more about available extensions of or additions to unemployment benefits, see the information below.
How many weeks of unemployment benefits can I currently receive?
Those who meet the requirements for traditional unemployment insurance may receive benefits for up to 26 weeks during a one-year period.
Claimants who are eligible for state extended unemployment benefits will be transitioned to them automatically when federal extended benefits end on September 4, 2021. If you are on state extended unemployment benefits, your claim status will say Extended Unemployment Benefits.
Can I receive the funds in my unemployment account after federal benefits expired?
Why are my benefits for this week less than previous weeks?
What are state extended unemployment benefits ?
How is eligibility for state extended unemployment benefits determined?
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The Extension Of Federal Unemployment Programs
Americans who have exhausted all of their regular state unemployment benefits are eligible for federally funded Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation . Millions more who have lost their jobs and dont qualify for regular state benefits can get federal benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, program. Both were set to expire at the end of last month.
But both programs have been extended under the stimulus deal to March 14or to April 11 for those already receiving PEUC benefits who haven’t yet exhausted their aid. PUA recipients can also now receive a maximum of 50 total weeks of benefits . And recipients of the PEUC program can now receive a maximum of 24 weeks of benefits .
Which Workers Qualify For This Additional Unemployment Benefit
To be eligible for the $300 per week benefit, you must receive unemployment benefits from one of the following programs:
- Unemployment compensation, including UCFE or UCX.
- Pandemic unemployment assistance.
- Mixed-income unemployment compensation.
- Payments under the self-employment assistance program.
Seasonal, part-time, or low-wage workers will not qualify for the additional $300. After benefits are exhausted, it should note that unemployed persons will only receive state benefits.
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How Long Will It Take
The new federal relief aid rollout must be run separately from state unemployment benefits programs, according to Michele Evermore, senior researcher and policy analyst for the National Employment Law Project. That will take time, she added, since states cant use their current unemployment insurance infrastructure to pay a benefit that isnt authorized by Congress.
The language in Trumps memorandum says these benefits must be paid in conjunction with the state’s unemployment insurance system, which means that states will have to set up a new way to add these payments to existing benefits.
When Will The Extra $300 In Unemployment Benefits Start
- 12:02 ET, Sep 6 2020
- Invalid Date,
More than 40 states will start issuing an extra $300 in unemployment benefits starting Monday, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The agency will issue the additional $300 dollars to those who qualify, on top of what they are already receiving in weekly benefits.
Here is more on the unemployment funds.
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Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation
The original CARES ACT had unemployed workers benefit from the state through a federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or through unemployment insurance.
Suppose a gig worker, freelancer, self-employed, or contractor who does not usually receive unemployment benefits laid off could receive PUA instead. A person who made more money from their self-employment could receive an extra $100 a week Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation. The new program would provide an eligible person an additional $100, but it depends on the state participating. The Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation might take some time before the states determine if they will or not after the stimulus bill passed.
$300 Unemployment Benefits Update: Heres When Payments Begin In Each State
The $300 and $400 extra unemployment benefits authorized by President Trump have started to go out in a number of states. At the same time, many states continue to modify their computer systems so that they can begin processing the enhanced unemployment benefits. The process has left many claimants wondering when they will see the boost in their unemployment checks.
To help answer that, weve compiled data on all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the status of each states FEMA application and benefit amount, weve assembled the latest date on when the extra payments will be released.
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Extra $300 Will Be Effective After Program Starts December 26
The ETAs guidance means that the extra $300 unemployment benefit program will restart on December 26 and first apply to the unemployment week that ends on January 2 or January 3, 2021, depending on the state. While this is when the program officially starts, it may not be when individuals see the extra funds in their accounts. The ETA released a table summarizing key dates for FPUC as well as other unemployment programs.
A summary of key dates for FPUC and other unemployment programs.
Department of Labor
Because the ETA just released official guidance, it will take states several weeks to reprogram their computer systems. Therefore, while individuals will be eligible for the $300 benefit for the unemployment week ending January 2 or 3, they may not receive payment for that week until later depending on how quickly their state can finish updating its unemployment program. That may be tough for many Americans. We are talking about people who have been getting by on less than poverty level benefits for months, so to have to go a couple of weeks with no income, until a lump sum comes in, is tough, Evermore said.
Confirmed: 11 Weeks Of Extra $300 Federal Unemployment Benefit With December 26 Start Date
The extra $300 federal unemployment supplement will be paid for the full 11 weeks that were in the … stimulus agreement passed by Congress despite President Trump’s delay in signing following his demand for $2,000 stimulus checks.
Millions of unemployed Americans can breathe a sigh of relief following the Department of Labors release of official guidance on key unemployment provisions in the new stimulus bill. The guidance, issued by the departments Employment and Training Administration on Wednesday evening, confirms that there will be no lapse in benefit weeks for individuals in two unemployment programs and that the extra $300 federal unemployment supplement will be paid for the full 11 weeks that were provisioned in the stimulus agreement passed by Congress.
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Njdol: Eligible Workers Set To Receive $300 Supplemental Unemployment Payments
From the NJDOL:
TRENTON The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development continued to see a post-holiday jump in new jobless claims last week, as it prepared to send $300 supplemental unemployment payments to claimants on their first week of eligibility under the expanded CARES Act.
The supplemental benefit should hit the debit cards and direct deposit accounts of eligible claimants beginning Tuesday, depending on their bank. It is for anyone collecting unemployment in any amount, and is in addition to their regular benefit payment. The first allowable week of the $300 supplemental benefit is the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
Also under the expanded CARES Act, those currently collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation will see no interruption in benefits, and should continue certifying for weekly benefits.
Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said the fact that these additional benefits would immediately be available for hundreds of thousands of out-of-work New Jerseyans was due, in part, to staff increases and automation upgrades completed since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold 10 months ago.
We know what a welcome relief these additional benefits will be to hundreds of thousands of unemployed residents who are struggling to find work, Asaro-Angelo said.
Here are the week-by-week totals of new unemployment claims:
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How Does The $300 Unemployment Benefit Work
Anyone who gets state unemployment has received the money since the CARES Act was passed in 2020. However, the federal bonus was $600 in that aid package because of COVID-19.
That ended in July 2020 and was replaced by the federal bonus of $300 a week, and this program was extended through March 2021. To qualify for these benefits, you must be unemployed due to COVID-19 and depending on where you live. You may have to complete regular job search requirements to be eligible.
To apply, you must go directly to your state government website, a complete challenge in many states because they have antiquated computer systems. ARPA allocated $300 billion for unemployment payments. The maximum benefit period was also increased from 50 weeks to 79 weeks with this bill. If you do not receive the additional $300 per week, you will have to notify your states unemployment system because you will be owed money.
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When Will The $300 Weekly Unemployment Checks Start
Meanwhile, the spending bill includes a stimulus check funding for different programs in early 2021, there could be a larger stimulus package as President-elect Joe Biden takes office. The stimulus bill does not indicate if the unemployment bonus is retroactive or not, The Washington Post reported. Meaning, they would likely not be a federally instituted lump sum payment to make up for the previous weeks they did not receive a $300 unemployment check.
What To Do If A State Made The Payments But The Extra $300 Was Not Reflected In The Bank Account
Recipients of this assistance in no state should do anything extra to claim for it. If you have not received your payment, the best thing to do is confirm if you are eligible.
For this, you must receive at least $100 in unemployment benefits. However, if you are eligible and have not received your payment, you should contact the agency in your state so that your complaint can be processed and no fraud is being committed.
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Could Pandemic Benefits Be Reinstated
As the federal expiration deadline approached, White House officials made it clear they were not planning to continue the enhanced jobless benefits past Labor Day, saying they were intended to be temporary. When multiple states pulled out of pandemic-era unemployment programs prematurely during the summer, Labor Department officials had said their hands were tied and they couldn’t counter decisions by governors.
On Sept. 15, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced that she would be introducing a bill to retroactively extend enhanced jobless benefits until February 2022. Saying she’s not sure of the prospects of the legislation being passed, Ocasio-Cortez noted that she “could not allow this to happen without at least trying.” The following day, she and 12 other Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to the House leadership urging them to include an expansion of unemployment aid in the $3.5 trillion budget package known as the Build Back Better Act.
It’s not clear at this time which states will choose to use any leftover pandemic funds to continue jobless benefits. According to a CBS News report, not every state has shut the door to continuing some benefits, with some local officials reviewing options for providing assistance after the Labor Day expiration.
