|
“This is precisely why I’ve encouraged Congress to set out
long-term rules that help the people most hurt by this pandemic,
and why it’s imperative that they pass something immediately
that corrects this gap,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “Our federal
leaders must come together around a solution, and we will be
ready to help people get the benefits they need to get through
this pandemic.”
According to unemployment data published by the federal
government, Illinois’ unemployment rate is now below the
threshold for the state’s High Unemployment Period (HUP) to be
active, and individuals no longer qualify for additional weeks
of benefits provided during HUP. Under federal law, when a state
is in the HUP, there are seven additional weeks added to PUA
eligibility, as well as seven additional weeks added to Extended
Benefits (EB) eligibility under state law. As a result of
Illinois’ unemployment rate dropping, under state and federal
law, the seven additional weeks for both programs are no longer
available.
The maximum number of weeks available to PUA claimants has
reduced from 57 weeks to 50 weeks. Additionally, extended
benefits (EB) for regular state unemployment insurance benefits
reduced from 20 weeks to 13 weeks. Federal law provides regular
unemployment insurance benefit recipients with a transition to
added weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
benefits but is currently silent with regard to extra assistance
for PUA claimants.
PUA claimants who have exhausted the 50th week or more have
been, or will be, notified they will have reached the maximum
number of weeks allowable under federal law. Barring additional
federal action or extensions to federal unemployment programs,
PUA claimants who have exhausted the maximum number of weeks
will no longer be eligible to collect unemployment insurance
benefits.
The Department is closely monitoring any action from the federal
government to extend PUA benefits, in addition to the other
federal unemployment benefits programs, set to expire on March
13, 2021. As was done with the CARES Act and the Continued
Assistance Act, IDES will publicly provide individuals with
programmatic updates, changes, and information pertaining to
unemployment programs as they are made available by the federal
government and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Those with questions or in need of assistance with unemployment
benefits at this time are encouraged to visit IDES.Illinois.gov.
[ Illinois Office of Communication
and Information]
|
|
