HAPPY THANKGIVING FROM THOMAS & COMPANY
We are grateful for your trust, your loyalty, and for the opportunity to be a part of your success. Our offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday and Friday of this week. Wishing you and your families a season filled with gratitude, joy, and good company!
ALASKA – DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR AUGUST FLOODING
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals who were affected by recent flooding in Alaska. Benefits may be available to individuals who live or work within the City and Borough of Juneau.
Applicants must first apply for regular UI benefits by calling (907) 269-4700, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If ineligible for benefits, individuals should apply for DUA benefits by calling 907-269-4700 or by visiting the Juneau Job Center located at 10002 Glacier Highway, Suite 100, Juneau, AK 99801.
The application deadline for impacted individuals is December 16.
COLORADO – SOME 2025 TAX RATE NOTICES MAY BE DELAYED
The Colorado Division of Unemployment Insurance is performing system enhancements that have impacted a small population of Colorado employers for 2025. If you have not already received your 2025 tax rate notice in your My UI Employer+ account, please note that the state is aware and is working to resolve the issue and generate your 2025 tax rate by mid-December 2024. Employers do not need to take any action, and the state will notify you through your My UI Employer+ account as well as mailing the document to the address of record.
COLORADO – EMPLOYEE HEADCOUNT UPDATES FOR FAMLI+ DUE SOON
On December 10th, employers will se a new task on their FAMLI+ Employer dashboard requiring you to update your total employee headcount. All employers must complete this task, even those with an approved private plan.
If your Annual Total Headcount is not updated by February 28, 2025, the CO FAMLI Division will assume that you have ten or more employees.
Employers with an approved private plan will be asked to complete an annual attestation that their plan still meets the FAMLI requirements. For more information about private plans, please visit Private Plans | Family and Medical Leave Insurance.
MASSACHUSETTS – PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE (PFML) PROGRAM UPDATES
Details for the 2025 Massachusetts PFML program were recently released. The maximum weekly benefit for PFML benefits will be $1,170.64 per week.
The contribution rate for eligible employees will be 0.88% of eligible wages for the combined PFML. This contribution can be split between the covered employees’ payroll/wage withholdings and an employer contribution. The employee share can include up to 100% of the family leave contribution (0.18% of eligible wages) and up to 40% of the medical leave contribution (0.28% of eligible wages). The employer is responsible for contributing the remainder of the total PFML contribution.
Relevant workplace posters and employer notification documents can be found here.
PENNSYLVANIA – SOLVENCY FEE ELECTION DEADLINE APPROACHING
In Pennsylvania, non-profit employers who have opted to utilize the reimbursable financing method have a yearly option to request relief from charges for individuals who have applied for unemployment benefits.
To request relief from charges, the employer must
• pay a non-refundable solvency fee and
• have filed all required quarterly tax reports through the second quarter for the year prior to the solvency election calendar year.
Deadlines for payment of these solvency fees may be quickly approaching for many eligible employers. Solvency fee election payments for 2025 are due within 30 days of receiving notice. For Election for Relief from Charges and Notice of Solvency Fee notices dated 11/4/24, the due date is 12/4/2024. Be sure to review all due dates on applicable notices so you do not miss this opportunity!
UTAH – 2025 TAXABLE WAGE BASE INCREASE
Utah recently announced the taxable wage base for 2025 will be set at $48,900. This is an increase of $1,900 over the 2024 taxable wage base of $47,000.
