Many states have revised and expanded unemployment-benefits coverage for employees affected by coronavirus-related layoffs, shutdowns, and work-hour reductions. There is an estimated $260 billion in expanded unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed/underemployed workers disrupted by COVID-19. A few of the primary benefits include:
- Extends an additional 13 weeks of eligibility for benefits, and
- Unemployment compensation is available for individuals who may not otherwise be eligible.
What does the expanded unemployment mean for me? For my employees?
- An additional $600 in weekly benefits (in addition to current state-provided benefits), ending on or before July 30, 2020;
- An additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits (total not to exceed 39 weeks), and
- Waiver of one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits.
Which employees can I file for? Am I eligible?
An employer may submit partial claims for full- and part-time employees who are temporarily laid off or whose hours have been temporarily reduced because of a lack of work because of COVID-19. Employees must be expected to return to work when the COVID-19 emergency ends. They must also be United States citizens or non-citizens who are authorized to work in the United States.
Employers can NOT submit claims for employees who:
- Are on scheduled/customary vacation, scheduled/customary plant shutdown, or scheduled/customary plant closure (O.C.G.A. Section 34-8-195);
- Employed by a temporary agency and are currently working at your place of business;
- Were employed in another state in the last 18 months;
- Were employed with the federal government or on active military service in the last 18 months;
- Are 1099 employees;
- Are voluntarily out of work, e.g., quits, requested leaves of absence, self-quarantined, etc., or
- Have been permanently separated from your company
What does the expanded unemployment mean for employers?
- The additional $600 per week is fully federally funded.
- In Georgia, employers and non-profits will not be charged for COVID-19 related benefit claims. This means that their current tax rate will not be affected, relieving them of the additional burden of higher unemployment taxes during our recovery. This can vary by state.
- If a state waives its standard one-week waiting period requirement, thus paying recipients as soon as they become unemployed, the federal government will fund the cost of that first week of benefits.
- If individuals remain unemployed after their state employment benefits are exhausted, the federal government will fund up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefit.
If you have questions specific to your situation, contact the Experts at Henssler Financial:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
- Join the Conversation in Our Coronavirus Facebook Group
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