Back to Work Interim Toolkit
Ver 1.3 August 6 , 2020
2 . Who is not eligible for these expanded unemployment benefits ?
Individuals are not eligible if they are able to work remotely or if they are receiving paid sick leave or paid Family and Medical Leave Act benefits . Additionally , State unemployment authorities maintain the authority to determine eligibility . However , states may not restrict the coverage to a more limited group of individuals than provided under federal law . Therefore , all states are required to expand eligibility to those affected by COVID-19 as defined by the act .
3 . How does the Act affect the unemployment compensation available to eligible individuals ?
Section 2104 of the CARES Act provides that eligible individuals will receive the total amount of benefits they would regularly be entitled to under state law , plus an additional amount of $ 600 per week for up to four months . The additional $ 600 payment applies to weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on which each state enters into an agreement with the federal government under that provision . That benefit expired on July 31 , 2020 , though Congress was negotiating an extension the time this toolkit was updated . These payments are taxable to the employee .
Section 2107 of the CARES Act provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who remain unemployed after state unemployment benefits are exhausted . This provision expires on December 31 , 2020 . All but eight states ( Arkansas , Alabama , Florida , Idaho , Kansas , Missouri , North Carolina and South Carolina ) offer 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits . However , receipt of assistance under the unemployment provisions shall not exceed 39 weeks , unless otherwise extended . As with the expanded benefit payments , these additional weeks of unemployment are available after the date on which each state enters into an agreement with the federal government under that provision and expires December 31 , 2020 .
The Act also provides funding to pay the cost of the first week of unemployment benefits for states that choose to waive the typical seven-day waiting period , thereby paying recipients as soon as they become unemployed . This provision expires on December 31 , 2020 .
4 . Are all employees entitled to these expanded benefits ?
No , to receive the expanded benefits provided under Sections 2104 and 2107 , the individual must be employed in a state that chooses to enter into an agreement with the U . S . Secretary of Labor to provide expanded benefits under these Sections . This means individuals employed in states that choose not to enter into such an agreement will not be entitled to the additional $ 600 per week or additional 13 weeks of benefits .
5 . Are employees who have had their hours reduced or are otherwise partially unemployed eligible for unemployment benefits under the Act ?
Yes . The expanded assistance covers employees during weeks of “ unemployment , partial unemployment , or inability to work caused by COVID-19 ” beginning on or after January 27 , 2020 and ending on or before December 31 , 2020 . Note , however , while every state allows for partial unemployment insurance benefits for reduced hours , the maximum amount that an individual may earn and qualify for benefits varies by state .
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