Mississippians must look for work to keep getting unemployment benefits, state says
The $600 federal unemployment benefit expired last week, and next week Mississippians who are laid off because of the coronavirus or other reason must start looking for work.
The temporary waiver of the requirement to search for work in order to collect unemployment benefits will expire Aug. 8, Mississippi Department of Employment Security announced Thursday.
The waiver was granted by Gov. Tate Reeves under Executive Order No. 1510.
“An individual must make an active search for full-time work in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits,” MDES said in a press release. “Self-employed individuals and individuals who receive 1099s who are filing for benefits must also meet the work search requirements to remain eligible.”
This becomes effective Aug. 9 for the week ending Aug. 15.
Thursday’s weekly report from the U.S. Department of Labor said 1,186,000 people filed new unemployment claims last week, a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week.
The four-week moving average was 1,337,750, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week’s revised average.
In Mississippi, 6,897 new claims were filed last week, down by 2,272 from the previous week. Benefits were paid to 148,268 people in the state last week, up by 44,159 from the previous week.
Those who test positive for the coronavirus in Mississippi may be eligible to apply for unemployment while they are out of work.
An extension of the federal unemployment benefit is being debated by lawmakers in Washington, D.C. The Associated Press reports that even if they do reach a deal, the amount is likely to be less than $600.
