Solid State Action on Unemployment Insurance Helps Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Mar 18, 2020

By Tara Jensen

On March 17, we published a new report providing an overview of some of the changes the state can make to the Unemployment Insurance program to address the growing COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to see the Governor has acted to implement many of these adjustments to provide workers and businesses some support to mitigate the impact of the health emergency.

This handy chart provides a summary of who will now be eligible for UI coverage.

The emergency rules will eliminate the one-week waiting period for those eligible for UI benefits. The rules also expand UI coverage for workers who may be directly impacted by COVID-19. This includes workers who:

• may have contracted COVID-19;
• have been exposed and are subject to quarantine; or
• are immune-compromised or advised to self-quarantine.

The new rules will also extend UI eligibility to workers who:

• must care for a family member who is sick as a result of COVID-19.

Current UI rules also provide for partial or full benefits for workers who are laid off or are facing reduced hours.

We appreciate the Governor’s decisive action on unemployment insurance. This is an important step to helping businesses and workers through this difficult time.