Title: CARES Act Expands Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Law and the Workplace
Headings: CARES Act Expands Unemployment Insurance Benefits
CARES Act Expands Unemployment Insurance Benefits
How does the CARES Act increase existing unemployment insurance benefits?
How does the CARES Act create new unemployment insurance benefits?
For states that typically have a waiting period before an individual can collect unemployment benefits, does the CARES Act waive that waiting period?
What about short-time compensation (“STC”) programs?
Does the CARES Act provide any relief for employers?
How is all of this going to be administered?

Content: CARES Act Expands Unemployment Insurance Benefits | Law and the Workplace
CARES Act Expands Unemployment Insurance Benefits
By Allison Martin, Evandro Gigante, Harris Mufson and Jacob P. Tucker on April 5, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The $2.2 trillion package included various provisions increasing and expanding unemployment insurance benefits available to workers, including individuals who are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to COVID-19. How does the CARES Act increase existing unemployment insurance benefits? The CARES Act expands existing unemployment benefits in two material ways: ( 1) providing for an extra $600 weekly payment, in addition to the weekly benefit amount an eligible employee otherwise receives under state law; and (2) increases the maximum number of weeks an individual may receive benefits. These new benefits are funded at the federal level, but will be administered by the states. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”). Under the FPUC provision of the Act, individuals who are eligible for unemployment benefits will receive an extra $600 weekly benefit for all weeks of unemployment between April 5, 2020 and July 31, 2020, in addition to the amount the individual otherwise would be entitled to receive under state law. The $600 supplemental benefit should be paid for any week in which an individual receives unemployment benefits under state programs.