Ivey ends participation in all federal pandemic unemployment programs

Ivey ends participation in all federal pandemic unemployment programs

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey has announced an end to the State of Alabama's participation in all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs, effective June 19.

According to the Governor's Office, the affected programs include:

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which provides for an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), providing benefits for self-employed, gig workers, and part-time workers who do not usually qualify
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), providing an extension of benefits once regular benefits end
  • Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), providing an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings

"As Alabama's economy continues its recovery, we are hearing from more and more business owners and employers that it is increasingly difficult to find workers to fill available jobs, even though job openings are abundant," said Ivey. "Among other factors, increased unemployment assistance, which was meant to be a short-term relief program during emergency-related shutdowns, is now contributing to a labor shortage that is compromising the continuation of our economic recovery."

The Alabama Department of Labor has also reinstated the work search requirement for all claimants.

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