Expanded unemployment insurance (UI) benefits established under the federal CARES Act in March 2020, renewed by the Continuing Assistance Act in December 2020 and again by the American Rescue Plan in March, expire this Saturday, September 4.
The administration of President Joe Biden announced on August 19 that it would not continue the improved weekly unemployment benefits of $ 300 after September 4, and instead said that states could continue with the additional payments using their COVID stimulus funds. .
New York and New Jersey, as well as other states, will not use their aid funds to further extend the program, as unemployment rates continue to fall, albeit at a slow pace.
Q: I have a remaining balance in my maximum benefit amount. Will I receive that amount in benefits?
A: No. Federal unemployment benefits will be available until 9/5 no matter what is shown in your Maximum Benefit Amount or Effective Days Remaining. pic.twitter.com/rk80dz4ERp
— NYS Department of Labor (@NYSLabor) September 3, 2021
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Enhanced UI benefits were enacted when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a wave of unemployment across the country. These programs provided supplemental funds in addition to regular unemployment insurance payments and extended benefits to those who normally would not have obtained assistance.
Among the programs that expire on September 4 are: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provided unemployment benefits to the self-employed, independent contractors and others who do not normally receive benefits; Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which extended unemployment payments to those who had already exhausted regular benefits; and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which added a weekly supplemental payment to regular unemployment.
These programs are ending and claimants will not be able to claim benefits under these programs for weeks after September 4, regardless of whether a balance appears on their accounts. Claimants who certify during the weeks prior to September 4 will receive the enhanced benefits if they meet the requirements for a claim that was filed prior to September 4.
Applicants who exhaust their 26 weeks of regular state unemployment benefits after September 4 and have not yet collected extended state benefits will be transferred to 13 weeks of extended state benefits, if they meet the criteria. These extended benefits were activated in July 2020 due to the unemployment rate for both New York and New Jersey.
Q: Can I reapply after federal benefits end on 9/5?
A: Regular UI claimants may reapply after their BYE date. PUA claimants may apply for UI beginning 9/9. NYS DOL will have to review your eligibility for regular UI, which has different eligibility requirements than PUA. pic.twitter.com/kmGND7bXOa
— NYS Department of Labor (@NYSLabor) September 3, 2021
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Applicants who roll over to extended state benefits will see “Extended Unemployment Benefits” as the status of their claim in their accounts.
Additionally, federally required revisions for new wages, which occur after one year, when a claim reaches the end of the benefit year, may result in a lower weekly benefit rate for some claimants as of January 5. September.
New Jersey, which was experiencing record low unemployment prior to the pandemic, hit historic unemployment claim figures in the weeks and months after COVID-19 arrived in the United States. With the help of enhanced federal unemployment benefit programs, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has paid $ 34 billion in benefits to more than 1.6 million applicants since March 2020, including hundreds of thousands who would not have been eligible for benefits without the federal expansions.
But more than two dozen states across the country halted enhanced federal unemployment benefits months before the Sept. 4 expiration in an attempt to spur job growth. Several recent studies, including one published late last month by economists at Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Toronto, found that this measure had little impact on employment.
“New Jersey has continually used every program and tool in our arsenal to get the most benefits for the greatest number of claimants as quickly as possible,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
“We understand that these federally enhanced benefits have been a lifesaver for our workforce and our economy during these difficult times; our Department and our State will continue to support those in need and assist job seekers. “
As of Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had indicated no plans to extend the additional benefits.
“New York State has paid more than $ 97 billion in unemployment benefits during this pandemic, providing a lifeline to more than 4.7 million New Yorkers,” said Hochul spokeswoman Haley Viccaro.
“We continue to review all options to help New Yorkers in need,” he added.
However, New York has indicated that it will continue to accept new PUA claims for a period of 30 days after September 4. The Labor Department said it would evaluate submitted claims to determine criteria and retroactive payments when appropriate.
After September 4, a claimant will only access unemployment payments if they are still unemployed, fit into certain job categories, and are within the regular 26-week benefit allowance.
For more information on specific benefits, visit www.labor.ny.gov.
You can also call the Department of Labor for help with claims at 888-209-8124, 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
On the other hand, the New Jersey Division of the Workforce has been assisting job applicants virtually and over the phone during the pandemic. Career seekers are encouraged to visit careerservices.nj.gov for help with their job search, resume writing, interview skills, education and training, and other specialized career services.
The Garden State also offers FREE training courses provided by Metrix Learning. Courses are offered in a variety of high-demand industry sectors, including information technology, business analytics, customer service, project management, and digital literacy. Courses range from basic job readiness for new hires to personalized training for management and senior professionals, with topics such as Customer Service, Microsoft Office, Adobe, Quick Books, Analytical Skills, Management / Reporting Data, Time Management, Leadership Skills, Health, Safety and First Aid, among many others.
There are also numerous state and community programs and resources available for those who need additional support. For information on assistance in the areas of family, food, child care, health, substance use disorder, rent, housing, utilities, and specialty services for seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors of domestic or sexual violence, visit myunemployment .nj.gov / morehelp.
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