How Long Will The $300 Unemployment Benefits Last
The $300 federal benefits will continue through Sept. 6, 2021. Though the way Congress is printing money for COVID-19 relief, another extension is not out of the question.
Ironically, Sept. 6 is Labor Day. Eighteen months after COVID-19 started wreaking havoc on the U.S. labor force, will it be time to get back to work?
When Will New Unemployment Benefits Start Flowing It May Take A While
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States will have to create a new system to pay out the unemployment benefits provided by President Donald Trump’s latest executive action, and that could leave the 28 million unemployed Americans waiting weeks to see the additional $300 payments.
Trump’s plan diverts disaster relief money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for the new benefit, which is different from the now-expired $600 weekly federal boost approved this past March by Congress. Because the money is coming from a different pool, it’s subject to different rules and needs its own process.
“It would have to be created from scratch and run parallel with Pennsylvania’s existing unemployment benefits programs,” said Penny Ickes, the communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, in a statement sent to CNN.
“This is not something that any state will be able to do quickly,” she added.
Eligibility rules changed, too, under the executive action. It excludes people receiving less than $100 a week from their state’s existing unemployment benefits. It also provides just half of what jobless Americans had been receiving.
Trump administration officials have said states will be able to get the new system up and running within two weeks, but some experts are skeptical.
“I don’t think anyone will see this money in August,” said Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, a progressive think tank.
Judge Refuses To Reinstate $300 Federal Unemployment In Ohio
Brandon Brown
An Ohio judge ruled the state will not reinstate the extra $300 in additional federal pandemic unemployment payments that Gov. Mike DeWine ended early.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook rejected the attempt Thursday.
The ruling stated that the governor did in fact have the power to cut the payments off before Labor Day.
“The court is aware of, and sympathetic to, the thousands of Ohioans without work and in desperate need of any assistance available,” Holbrook said in the ruling.,
Congress approved the additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits to help struggling Americans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The benefits are set to expire on a federal level after Labor Day, but several state governors have cut them off early.
DeWine stopped the payments on June 26, saying that Ohioans needed to get back into the workforce.
However, former Ohio Attorney General and Valley native, Marc Dann, filed a lawsuit over the halted benefits, saying Gov. DeWine didn’t have the authority to stop them.;
Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said in a statement, said they were pleased with the court’s decision.
You can read the full ruling below:
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Eligibility: Who Qualifies For The Extra $300 Unemployment Benefit
To be eligible for the $300 a week benefit, you need to be receiving unemployment benefits from any of these programs:
- Unemployment compensation, including regular State Unemployment Compensation, Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees , and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service members
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
- Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation
- Payments under the Self-Employment Assistance program.
Low-wage, part-time or seasonal workers may fail to qualify for the extra $300.
Ruling Expected Soon In Lawsuit Over $300 Weekly Unemployment Checks
A Franklin County judge is expected to rule in the coming days on a lawsuit that seeks to restore the $300 weekly checks that the federal government was providing to unemployed people through September. Ohio became one of 26 states that ended the program last month.
Former attorney general Marc Dann filed the lawsuit over the federal pandemic unemployment assistance program, arguing lawmakers didnt give Gov. Mike DeWine the authority to refuse the maximum benefits offered by the feds.
The legislature intentionally withheld that authority because they thought the receipt of unemployment benefits under federal programs was so important that, frankly, they didn’t want to make a political football out of it, which is exactly what this has become,” said Dann.
The 26 states that are ending the FPUC program early are mostly Republican-run states.
Dann compared the FPUC program to tax breaks and other financial assistance to companies, saying as the latter helps spark economic growth, the federal money to jobless workers will go straight into the economy as well.
Dann said more than 200,000 Ohioans could have weekly payments restored if he wins. And he said he’s received phone calls and emails from some of them as he prepared the suit.
DeWine ended the program June 26, pushed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Restaurant Association, who said it was making it hard for businesses to find workers.
Chamber President and CEO Steve Stivers released a statement that reads in part:
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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.
Are Unemployment Benefits Taxable
Yes and no.
Unemployment benefits are generally taxable. Most states do not withhold taxes from unemployment benefits voluntarily, but you can request they withhold taxes.
But under ARPA, $10,200 of unemployment benefits from 2020 will be tax-free for households with a combined income of less than $150,000 .
That applies to taxpayers filing joint returns, as head of household, or with single status. But the $10,200 exclusion applies separately to each spouse.
If you filed your income taxes before ARPA passed, the Internal Revenue Service will refund any overpayment you may have made related to unemployment benefits.
The IRS says taxpayers will not have to amend their returns or do anything else in order to get the proper adjustment, but stay on top of that. Any refunds should start appearing in May 2021.
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Ohio Lawsuit Seeks To Restore $300 Weekly Unemployment Benefit
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine had planned to cut off the extra $300 weekly unemployment benefits at the … end of June. A lawsuit filed today will attempt to restore those benefits to unemployed Ohioans.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two attorneys in Ohio filed suit today to compel Governor Mike DeWine to restore the states participation in several federal unemployment programs. One of these programs, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , provided an extra $300 a week in unemployment aid to eligible workers. The case follows temporary injunctions issued after similar lawsuits were filed in Indiana;and .
Ohio is one of 27 states, mostly led by Republicans, that announced plans to stop participation in FPUC and cut off the additional $300-a-week benefit to residents. DeWine, along with Matt Damschroeder, the Director of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, declared on May 13, 2021 that Ohio would end the $300 benefit on June 26, more than two months earlier than the programs official expiration date of September 6, 2021. When this program was put in place, it was a lifeline for many Americans at a time when the only weapon we had in fighting the virus was to slow its spread through social distancing, masking;and sanitization, DeWine said;back in May. That is no longer the case.;
Indianas statutory language is very similar to Ohios, Dann noted. We believe we are right on the law and absolutely right as it relates to public policy.
Mike Dewine Gives An Update On Covid
When will ohio get the extra $300 unemployment december. The 300 weekly bonus will continue into September. These programs have been funded and extended for 11 weeks on top of any state funded extensions covering the weeks of December 26th 2020 to March 14th 2021. FILE – In this Feb.
How does an extra 300 sound in your unemployment check. The 19 trillion Covid relief bill extended unemployment benefits to Labor Day and raised them by 300 a week. COLUMBUS Ohio AP Ohio unemployment claimants would receive 300 in federal weekly unemployment assistance under an option provided by the White House that doesnt require extra state.
CLEVELAND Ohio WOIO – Many unemployment recipients in the state of Ohio could soon be seeing the 300 weekly supplemental payments included in the new federal relief stimulus. Extra money for unemployment ohio december 2020. ODJFS expects to be able to issue FPUC payments by the third week in January.
DeWine has accepted a White House proposal for Ohio unemployment claimants to receive 300 in weekly unemployment compensation assistance with no state money involved. FEMA approves 30 states for additional 300 a week unemployment payments. Once implemented will provide up to 11 weeks of an additional 300 weekly benefit to eligible claimants in multiple programs.
Every person receiving unemployment benefits will continue to receive an additional 300 per week through September 4 2021. 27 2020 file photo Ohio Gov. Ohio said it has started issuing new weekly.
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Is There A New Verification Process For Pua Applications
Jobless Americans who were receiving PUA benefits must verify their eligibility for the program this year.
Under an anti-fraud provision in the relief package, those currently getting PUA benefits will have 90 days to submit documents proving their continuing eligibility for the program. Those that dont could be at risk of having to pay back any funds they receive after the bills enactment in December.;
Its unclear what documentation will be sufficient to satisfy the requirement, experts say.;
People who apply for PUA;for the first time starting;Jan.;31 will have 21 days to submit their;verification;documents, according to CNBC.
Cares Enhanced Benefits In Ohio
Under the CARES act, the following federally funded enhanced unemployment assistance was made available.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance : expands eligibility for individuals who are typically ineligible for Unemployment benefits, for example, independent contractors, self-employed, and gig workers.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation : provides an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment benefits to all recipients. On July 6th, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, announced that an additional 20 weeks of benefits will be available to those individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment and the 13 weeks of the PEUC
At this time, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , which provided individuals with an additional $600 per week, has ended . However, if your claim eligibility dates between March 29th and July 25th you will receive this benefit.
In many states, the increase in COVID-19 related unemployment has triggered the Extended Benefits program providing an additional 20 weeks for those who have exhausted all other state and federal benefits. The activation of Extended Benefits is due to the high unemployment rates in Ohio. As of July 23rd, the ODJFS had received over 1.5 million claims
The unemployment rate, which topped out at 17.6% in April, went down to 13.9% in May and is predicted to drop to 10.9% in June.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
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Eligibility For Unemployment Benefits
To qualify for unemployment, you must:;
- Be unemployed “through no fault of your own.”;This means that if you quit;or were fired for “just cause,”;it is likely that you will not be able to get unemployment benefits. If you were laid-off or;the business you worked for closed, it will likely count as being unemployed “through no fault of your own.”;
- Have worked at least 20 weeks and earned enough money at a “covered” employer during the “base period” of your claim.;
- A “covered employer”;means that you worked for a business that pays unemployment taxes to the state. Most employers are “covered,” but some, like small family businesses or religious organizations, might not be.
- Your “base period” is a year-long period that starts at a certain time in the last;year based on the date that you are applying for unemployment. See the base periods for 2020 here.;
- You must have earned an average of at least $269 per week.
- If you have gotten;unemployment benefits before, you must have worked at a new job that meets;all the requirements above since you stopped receiving benefits.
Lawsuit Appealed To The Ohio Supreme Court
The benefits have been the subject of a lawsuit brought by former Ohio attorney general Marc Dann to reinstate them.;
“These are not pawns on a political chessboard,” Dann said of Ohioans seeking benefits.;”This involved 200,000 people who are struggling every day to solve the kinds of problems that all of us have to solve.”
Holbrook initially ruled that DeWine had the power to halt those;payments.;On Tuesday, the 10th District Court of Appeals ruled DeWine didn’t have the authority to cut off the benefits.;
The appeals court also asked Holbrook to consider;two additional factors:;unjustifiable harm to third parties or any public interest served by restoring the benefits.
More:Ohio appeals court: Consider more factors in $300 weekly unemployment benefits case
Holbrook set a hearing on those topics for Friday morning. In the meantime, the state appealed;to the Ohio Supreme Court.;;
Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers wrote to the top court: “There is no point in letting it percolate any longer before the lower courts: the court can put this important issue to rest, giving the state, would-be beneficiaries, and employers certainty as to the scope of their rights and duties.”
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Ohio End Extra $300 Weekly Pandemic Unemployment Payment Early
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine;announced that ODJFS will stop paying out the $300 p/week federally funded unemployment benefit program by the week ending . However unlike many other Republican led states ending these programs Ohio will retain the PUA and PEUC programs through to the current September 6th expiry.
The argument for ending the $300 extra weekly payment is that the extra unemployment programs do not incentivize workers to return to work, especially lower income workers who make less than $15 p/hour. Opponents argue that the reason people are not going back to work is due to fears around getting COVID, child care or schooling constraints. You can see more on which states are ending the extra weekly;$300 FPUC here;and a;recent;YouTube video;I made on this topic.
After the June 26th cut-off date, or from the week beginning June 27th, 2021 the $300 extra weekly payment will cease for all active and new claimants. You can stay connected for updates via the options below.
Note that lawsuits have been filed in Ohio against Governor Mike DeWine to restore Ohios participation in the $300 G federal unemployment programs. The case follows temporary injunctions in other states who filed lawsuits.
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Pandemic Unemployment: Ohio Will Stop Offering Extra $300 Payments On June 26
COLUMBUS Governor Mike DeWine said Thursday that Ohio will stop offering enhanced unemployment benefits on June 26.
The Federal Unemployment Assistance program was put in place to help Americans get through the financial hardship caused by the pandemic. It began as $600 on top of normal unemployment benefits, then reduced to $300.
DeWine called it a lifeline for so many Americans. But things have now changed.
DeWine said the vaccine, which has now been given to nearly 5 million Ohioans, is helping to put Ohio back to work.
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Case Over Ohio’s $300 Weekly Unemployment Checks Sent Back To County Court
The fight to bring back the $300 weekly additional checks to unemployed Ohioans remains up in the air after an appeals court decided to send the case back to a county judge.
Advocates to revive the pandemic unemployment assistance say this gives reason to start sending the weekly checks again.
The 10th District Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court’s decision to deny reinstating the additional unemployment assistance is based on an analysis that is “incomplete.”
The appeals court says the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas did not address two factors in the case; “unjustifiable harm to third parties or any public interest served by the injunction.”
Zach Schiller with Policy Matters Ohio says there’s still hope the additional $300 a week will be paid out retroactively.
“I would certainly hope that there could be some benefits that could be paid out beyond those that expire on September 4,” Schiller said.
But Attorney General Dave Yost is;asking the Ohio Supreme Court;to reverse the appeals courts decision.
The state argues that Gov. Mike DeWine had the legal right to stop accepting the federal funds for the program.
Ohio;stopped accepting the federal dollars to pay out the checks;at the end of June. Gov. Mike DeWine said vaccines and other protection measures were in place that allowed people to go back to work.
In ending those checks, DeWine said the coronavirus vaccine and other protective measures make it safe for people to return to work.
