COLORADO – MyUI Employer+ Update
Recently, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment rolled out a new system, MyUI Employer+, for employers and third-party administrators (TPAs). As part of the rollout, the state is requiring employers to complete a one-time activation process. It is important that the activation is completed as soon as possible utilizing either the Activation Link (sent via email) or Activation Code (sent via USPS).
If you have not received activation information at this time, please contact Colorado Employer Services at (303) 318-9100 to request the code. Employers will need their EAN, FEIN, and Q2 2023 wage report to request an activation code.
NEW JERSEY – BC-10 Form Update
Thomas & Company continues to monitor all changes associated with New Jersey’s updated separation notice requirements. At this time, New Jersey has confirmed that they are not yet collecting completed BC-10 forms from employers. Instead, employers should continue to distribute forms to separated employees only. When BC-10 form collection is implemented by the state, employers will be advised of the change.
NEW YORK – 2024 Taxable Wage Base Increase
In 2024, the taxable wage base in New York will increase to $12,500, up from $12,300 in 2023.
OHIO – Hearings Set to Determine Benefit Eligibility for Workers Impacted by Ongoing Big 3 Strike
With the exception of New Jersey and New York, striking workers are not eligible for unemployment. However, when striking workers impact production at additional plants that are not striking, the situation gets noticeably more nuanced.
Often, when workers are striking at one or more facilities, it has a trickle-down effect on other facilities or suppliers who rely on the striking facilities for their continued work. In the recent UAW strike, additional plants and suppliers have seen hundreds of workers laid off, but will these individuals be eligible for benefits? Eligibility is determined by the facts and circumstances surrounding each specific case.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), striking workers and sometimes other employees of a company on strike may be disqualified for benefits. If it is determined that the labor dispute is not a lock-out (employer initiated the work stoppage), individuals directly impacted by the strike may not be eligible for benefits. However, if the state rules the strike a lock-out, these impacted individuals may be eligible for benefits, if otherwise entitled.
The ODJFS requires a hearing to determine the nature of the labor dispute after 25 or more employees have filed for benefits. Hearing dates have been set for the UAW plants involved in the current labor dispute. For more information, please visit https://jfs.ohio.gov/static/RELEASES/UAWStrikeResponse.pdf.
TENNESSEE – Updates to Weekly Benefit Amount and Benefit Week Indexing
Beginning December 1, 2023, Tennessee claimants will see a change to their weekly benefit amount and duration of benefits. The maximum weekly benefit amount will increase from $275 to $325 while the duration of benefits will vary from 12-20 weeks, depending on economic conditions.
VERMONT – New Unemployment Rules for Small Nonprofits
Effective July 1, 2024 all nonprofit organizations in Vermont will be required to provide unemployment insurance coverage. Currently, organizations with fewer than four employees are not required to provide unemployment coverage for employees. When this new law goes into effect next year, all non-profit employers, regardless of size, will be required to report employee wages and new hires, as well as pay for any eligible unemployment claims.
Nonprofit organizations can choose to be considered a taxable or reimbursable employer for unemployment purposes. As a reminder, taxable employers are subject to quarterly contribution requirements (taxes) while reimbursable employers pay dollar for dollar based on any unemployment benefits paid to qualified previous employees while within that individual’s base period.
