ALASKA – Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available, Deadline December 6
Individuals and businesses within the Kusilvak Census Area and Yupiit Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) impacted by the spring flooding that occurred from May 12 through June 3, 2023 are now eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits. Previously, those in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas of Copper River, Kuspuk, Lower Kuskokwim, Yukon Flats and Lower Yukon were deemed eligible for DUA benefits. Applications for this new subset of impacted communities must be received by December 6, 2023.
DUA, which is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster, is only available to individuals who:
• Have applied for and used all regular unemployment benefits from any state, or do not qualify for unemployment benefits.
• Worked or were self-employed or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.
• Became the breadwinner or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household.
Individuals must apply for regular UI benefits by calling (888) 252-2557 or (907) 269-4700, Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM local time.
Again, the deadline to submit a claim for DUA is December 6, 2023. Applications submitted after that date will be considered untimely unless the individual provides good cause for filing after the deadline.
CONNECTICUT – Verify Email Address with State, Opt Out of Email Correspondence
As the Connecticut Department of Labor continues to expand the types of documents they electronically communicate to employers, it is important to ensure you have your company’s email address up to date with the state. If you haven’t already done so, please log on to the state’s website and enter an updated email address. However, in order for Thomas & Company to receive important documents directly, we also ask that you opt out of email notifications for all unemployment related correspondence. Additional account assistance is available on the state’s website.
MAINE – 2024 Tax Rate Table Remains at Schedule A
The Maine Department of Labor recently announced tax rates for 2024 will continue to be based on Schedule A, the lowest available tax schedule. Individual employer tax rate information will be sent out in December.
PENNSYLVANIA – 2024 Taxable Wage Base and Tax Rates Remain the Same
Pennsylvania’s taxable wage base will remain consistent, at $10,000, for 2024. Additionally, all tax rate assessment rates remain the same, including a 9.2% Surcharge and 0.60% Additional Contributions tax. Contribution rates will continue to range from 1.4190% to 10.3734%, which includes the Surcharge and Additional Contributions tax.
SOUTH CAROLINA – 2024 Tax Rates Decrease or Remain the Same
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce recently announced that tax rates for the 2024 calendar year will either remain the same or decrease, ranging from 0.060% to 5.460% (including contingency assessment). Both the highest and lowest tax rate classes will remain the same, as they are dictated by statute, while the remainder of tax rate classes will decrease. There will also be no solvency surcharge imposed due to the favorable status of the trust fund.
SOUTH DAKOTA – 2024 Tax Rate Savings
South Dakota employers will see tax savings in their upcoming reemployment tax rates notices, based on legislation signed by Governor Kristi Noem last session. The state began issuing notices at the end of October, which will reflect the 0.5% contribution rate reduction. It is estimated that South Dakota employers will save $18 million because of this reduction, though actual savings will vary by employer and tax rates will still be determined by experience ratings.
