CALIFORNIA – BILL OFFERING UNEMPLOYMENT TO UNDOCUMENTED WORKER FAILS
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 227 that would have offered unemployment benefits to undocumented workers. In his veto statement, Gov. Newsom stated “This bill would require the Employment Development Department (EDD), on or before March 31, 2025, to develop a detailed plan to establish a permanent Excluded Workers Program, which would provide cash assistance that resembles unemployment benefits for individuals ineligible for the Unemployment Insurance program due to their immigration status.”
This program would have been funded through the state due to federal regulations and with California owing nearly $20 Billion to the federal Government for Title XII loans, the bill was vetoed because “this bill sets impractical timelines, has operational issues, and requires funding that was not included in the budget.” A similar bill was also vetoed in 2022.
COLORADO – QUARTERLY UNEMPLOYMENT TAX WAGE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UPDATED
Recent amendments, effective September 30, 2024, now require employer quarterly unemployment tax wage reports to include:
- Report period
- State account number
- Employer’s current name and address
- Active employees’ name, SSN, and total coverage wages paid during the report period
Including this information should be standard practice for most employers so it may not be necessary to make any changes. As a reminder, quarterly reports are due by the last day of the month following quarter end (e.g. October 31 for Q3).
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Severe storms and hurricanes across the US have led to a number of states offering Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits for impacted workers’ and we expect more states will be offering DUA benefits in the aftermath of Hurricane Debby and Helene.
As a reminder, DUA is an unemployment insurance benefit made available after a disaster and 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.
FLORIDA– HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Helene that hit Florida on September 16, 2024 and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.
Additionally, work search reporting, waiting week, and Employ Florida registration requirements for Reemployment Assistance claims have been temporarily waived for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Helene in FEMA disaster-declared counties. By waiving these requirements, eligible Floridians will be able to quickly apply and receive Reemployment Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
Individuals are encouraged to apply online go to www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim”, visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 2.
GEORGIA – HURRICANE DEBBY DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Debby in Georgia from August 4-20, 2024. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long, and Screven counties.
Individuals are encouraged to apply online at dol.georgia.gov. Alternatively, applications may be filed in person at any GDOL career center.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is November 25.
ILLINOIS – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by the severe storms and flooding in Illinois in mid-July. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago counties.
Individuals are encouraged to contact the IDES call center appointment line at 217-558-0401. Identify you are calling about DUA Benefits.
You can also schedule an in-person appointment to file a DUA benefits claim at a local office by calling 217-558-0401.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is October 27.
PENNSYLVANIA – HURRICANE DEBBY DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by Hurricane Debby in Pennsylvania in August. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work in Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, and Union counties.
Individuals can file a DUA online or call the Pennsylvania Teleclaims Department at 888-255-4728. To be eligible for DUA benefits, it must first be established that the individual is not eligible for regular UI benefits.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is November 12.
