Federal unemployment benefits: States opting out

More than a few employers are struggling to find candidates for open positions. Some say the $300-a-week federal unemployment benefits “disincentivize” people to get jobs.

The federal payments, under The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, are set to expire Sept. 6. However, some states are opting out early. They are:

• Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi and Missouri – June 12
• Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming – June 19
• Arkansas, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma (will offer a one-time $1,200 return-to-work bonus), South Dakota, Texas, Utah – June 26
• Montana – June 27 (will offer a one-time $1,200 return-to-work bonus)
• South Carolina – end of June
• Tennessee – July 3, and
• Arizona – July 10 (will offer a one-time $2,000 return-to-work bonus).

While Florida hasn’t joined this trend, starting June 1 it’s implementing the “work search” rule, which requires residents to show they applied for five jobs a week. And there will be a process for business owners to report unemployment claimants who don’t follow the rule.

We’ll keep you posted if anything else changes on either of these efforts.

Info: At Least 21 States Dropping $300-A-Week Federal Unemployment Benefits

Renee Cocchi

Renée Cocchi has a passion for learning and helping other professionals do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. She earned her Master's Degree from Drexel University, and she’s spent the past few decades working as a writer and editor in the publishing industry. Her experience covers a wide variety of fields from benefits and compensation in HR, to medical, to safety, to business management. Her experience covers trade publications, newsmagazines, and B2B newsletters and websites. When she's not working, she spends her free time just chilling with her family and volunteering at a local dog shelter. Her goal in life is to help all shelter dogs get happy, loving homes!