U.S. Department of Labor Provides Additional Guidance and Assistance To States’ Unemployment Insurance Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor today responded to specific state requests seeking assistance to administer changes to unemployment insurance (UI) programs made by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Emergency Unemployment Insurance Stabilization and Access Act in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

To ensure states can administer their UI programs effectively and efficiently, the department is providing additional guidance by responding to states with information on applicable reporting requirements for emergency administrative grants; reminding states about modifications the CARES Act made to emergency administrative grants; and sharing answers to commonly asked questions about UI.

Among other provisions, FFCRA provides emergency administrative grants and emergency flexibilities to states to meet anticipated coronavirus-related surges in claims. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which provides states with additional flexibility in meeting the application requirements to receive the first allotment of emergency administrative grants.

“Today’s guidance will help states to faithfully implement these important programs so they can continue to meet the needs of their citizens. This action is yet another example of the Department’s ongoing and non-stop work to ensure states have the resources and assistance they need during this unprecedented time,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John P. Pallasch. “This important guidance provides states the flexibility they need to effectively and efficiently implement the unemployment insurance provisions of FFCRA and the CARES Act while maintaining strong program integrity,” Pallasch added.

For further information about the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.