House Democrat Stimulus Proposal Would Create New Federal Health and Safety Standards
On September 28, 2020, Speaker Pelosi released the summary of the Updated Version of the HEROES Act for consideration in response to the Coronavirus and as an economic stimulus. The proposal would create new employer reporting requirements with respect to health and safety and create new workers’ compensation presumptions related to COVID-19 (See section by section summary) Provisions of particular [...]
UWC Applauds Senators Portman and Cardin Introduction of Legislation to Clarify Workers’ Comp Payments
On September 24, 2020 Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced legislation to clarify the determination of workers’ compensation for Medicare eligible employees who were injured or became ill in the course of employment. This bi-partisan bill is the Senate companion to HR 4161 that was introduced by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and George Holding (R-NC). The [...]
Report Unemployment Fraud! – United States Department of Labor OIG Provides Guidance
Unemployment Insurance Fraud has become a significant problem due to the volume of regular unemployment compensation and pandemic unemployment claims filed due to COVID-19. On September 21, 2020 the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (OIG) released the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide with links to state workforce agencies and tips to avoid and respond to [...]
States Should Consider Using Coronavirus Relief Funds to Improve UI Solvency
The COVID-19 recession has significantly impacted the solvency of state UI Trust Fund Accounts. A snapshot of the status of accounts as of September 16, 2020 shows that 21 states have already requested authorization to obtain loans from the Federal Unemployment Account because state unemployment trust fund balances have been or will be exhausted. (see below) A number of states [...]
Business Coalition Raises Concerns with California COVID Presumption
A business led coalition is raising concerns with legislation proposed in California that would largely incorporate the terms of Governor Newsom’s executive order that created a COVID-19 presumption. The letter from the group attached addresses the provisions in SB 1159, which includes three Sections. SECTION 1 codifies the policy contained in Executive Order N-62-20, which was issued by Governor Newsom [...]
States Have Until September 10th to Apply for Federal Grants for Supplemental Payments
On August 13th FEMA released the notice to states enabling applications for grants for lost wages supplement payment assistance (LWA). The deadline for application is September 10, 2020. It does not appear that Congress will come to an agreement on a replacement for the $600 in supplemental UI payments provided under the CARES Act in Section 2104. The President’s order [...]