The Oregon Employment Department is currently considering significant changes to the state's unemployment law. The proposed rules would remove the disqualification from unemployment compensation for striking workers, potentially allowing them to receive benefits while on strike. This is a notable development with potential implications for employers, employees, and the state's unemployment insurance fund. The state [...]
In January of 2025, the US Department of Labor released its notice of potential FUTA offset credit reductions for 2025. California, Connecticut, New York and the Virgin Islands had potential FUTA offset credit reductions for 2025 and interest on loans to be paid. California, Connecticut and New York also were shown as at risk of a [...]
Earlier this month, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) introduced the Securing Help for Involuntary Employment Loss and Displacement (SHIELD) Act. The legislation would clarify federal law after recent state legislation was introduced and passed permitting striking workers to be paid unemployment compensation while on strike. The vast majority of states already have provisions in state law that [...]
On March 11, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act (HR 1156) with a bi-partisan vote of 295-127. The bill extends authority for criminal prosecution and recovery of fraudulently claimed unemployment compensation paid under the CARES Act. See Rules Committee Text at BILLS-119hr1156rh.pdf UWC supports enactment of this legislation and submitted [...]
On February 19, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order asking federal agencies to review regulations and report back to the White House with reforms needed to be consistent with law and Trump administration policy. The EO is available at Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Regulatory Initiative – The White House [...]
Don’t miss the deadline to submit your nomination of individuals to be recognized for their contributions to Unemployment Insurance policy and administration. Nominations are Open to March 15, 2025! Each year we accept nominations for awards to individuals who have had a profound impact on the Unemployment Insurance system as researchers, policy leaders and contributors to [...]
UWC is sending a letter to House Speaker Johnson, Ways and Means Committee Chair Smith and Rules Committee Chairwoman Foxx, in support of HR 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act. This bill would extend the period during which criminal prosecutions may be filed and pandemic unemployment compensation may be recovered for an additional five years. [...]
The potential increase in net FUTA taxes due to the Benefit Cost Rate offset credit reduction for employers in Connecticut, New York and California is shown in the attached posting from the US Department of Law. Because these states had outstanding loans as of January 1st of 2024 and 2025 and have not repaid the outstanding [...]
In addition to assistance that may otherwise be available directly through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State unemployment insurance, labor and workforce agencies administer disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) for individuals who have become unemployed due to a disaster emergency declaration by the President. DUA applications may be available for individuals through state agencies to provide support [...]
Recent proposals in some states and the current strike announced by the International Longshore Workers once again raises the question as to whether striking workers who are not available for work may be paid unemployment compensation. Federal law is clear that individuals who are not available for work during a week in which they are otherwise [...]
