Reeves extends coronavirus unemployment benefits with urgent reminder for MS workers
While urging Mississippians to return to work if they have the opportunity, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a new executive order Monday that extends unemployment benefits for workers still feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the new order, the governor is waiving the one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits for claims filed between March 8 and December 26. That waiver was set to expire on June 27 under the previous order.
Also, Reeves is increasing the $40 earning allowance to $200 from May 3 until June 27.
Reeves warned Mississippians that any reluctance to return to work could and lead to an end to unemployment benefits and hurt the state’s economy.
“You must understand that if you are currently unemployed and your employer calls you back to work, I strongly recommend you go back to work,” Reeves said. “Under state law, if you choose not to go back to work you could become ineligible.
“You should also understand that the $600 a week under the current pandemic unemployment assistance program goes away in July. You may say, ‘OK, I’ll figure it out in July.’ But this economic disaster unfolding right now is real.
“If businesses reopen and they can’t find the workforce, it’s very possible that the business is not going to make it. If you decide to wait until June, July or August, the job that you’re accustomed to may not be there.”
Reeves pointed out that once the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance wraps up in July, the maximum benefit for Mississippians will go back to $230 a week.
“I implore every Mississippian to take advantage of the opportunity to back to work,” he said.
Other updates to the state’s unemployment benefits announced by Reeves on Monday are:
For employers
▪ Any charges related to COVID-19 and associated charges to both rated and reimbursable employers’ accounts are waived from March 8 to June 27. Interest will not be accrued during this period.
▪ The first quarter pay date imposed for contributions of both rated and reimbursable employers has been suspended and moved to July 31.
▪ Penalties for late reporting and contribution payments from March 8 to July 31 are suspended.
For workers
▪ Those unable to search for work because they have contracted COVID-19 or have made their movements restricted due to the virus will be interpreted as such for claims filed between March 8 and June 27.
▪ Work registration requirements from March 8 to June 27 are suspended, and individuals are not required to report in-person.
