USC Subchapter II

USC Subchapter II
in effect

15 U.S.C. § 9021 Pandemic unemployment assistance

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) COVID–19The term “COVID–19” means the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV. (2) COVID–19 public health emergencyThe term “COVID–19 public health emergency” means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (3) Covered individualThe term “covered individual”—(A) means an individual who—(i) is not eligible for regular compensation or extended benefits under State or Federal law or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 9025 of this title, including an individual who has exhausted all rights to regular unemployment or extended benefits under State or Federal law or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 9025 of this title; (ii) provides self-certification that the individual—(I) is otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable State law, except the individual is unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because—(aa) the individual has been diagnosed with COVID–19 or is experiencing symptoms of COVID–19 and seeking a medical diagnosis; (bb) a member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID–19; (cc) the individual is providing care for a family member or a member of the individual’s household who has been diagnosed with COVID–19; (dd) a child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for the individual to work; (ee) the individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency; (ff) the individual is unable to reach the place of employment because the individual has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID–19; (gg) the individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency; (hh) the individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID–19; (ii) the individual has to quit his or her job as a direct result of COVID–19; (jj) the individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency; or (kk) the individual meets any additional criteria established by the Secretary for unemployment assistance under this section; or (II) is self-employed, is seeking part-time employment, does not have sufficient work history, or otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment or extended benefits under State or Federal law or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 9025 of this title, and meets the requirements of subclause (I); and (iii) provides documentation to substantiate employment or self-employment or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment not later than 21 days after the later of the date on which the individual submits an application for pandemic unemployment assistance under this section or the date on which an individual is directed by the State Agency to submit such documentation in accordance with section 625.6(e) of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, except that such deadline may be extended if the individual has shown good cause under applicable State law for failing to submit such documentation; and (B) does not include—(i) an individual who has the ability to telework with pay; or (ii) an individual who is receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits, regardless of whether the individual meets a qualification described in items (aa) through (kk) of subparagraph (A)(i)(I). (4) SecretaryThe term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor. (5) StateThe term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. (b) Assistance for unemployment as a result of COVID–19Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary shall provide to any covered individual unemployment benefit assistance while such individual is unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work for the weeks of such unemployment with respect to which the individual is not entitled to any other unemployment compensation (as that term is defined in section 85(b) of title 26) or waiting period credit. (c) Applicability(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the assistance authorized under subsection (b) shall be available to a covered individual—(A) for weeks of unemployment, partial unemployment, or inability to work caused by COVID–19—(i) beginning on or after January 27, 2020; and (ii) ending on or before September 6, 2021; and (B) subject to subparagraph (A)(ii), as long as the covered individual’s unemployment, partial unemployment, or inability to work caused by COVID–19 continues. (2) Limitation on duration of assistanceThe total number of weeks for which a covered individual may receive assistance under this section shall not exceed 79 weeks and such total shall include any week for which the covered individual received regular compensation or extended benefits under any Federal or State law, except that if after March 27, 2020, the duration of extended benefits is extended, the 79-week period described in this paragraph shall be extended by the number of weeks that is equal to the number of weeks by which the extended benefits were extended. (3) Assistance for unemployment before March 27, 2020The Secretary shall establish a process for making assistance under this section available for weeks beginning on or after January 27, 2020, and before March 27, 2020. (4) Redesignated (3) (5) Appeals by an individual(A) In generalAn individual may appeal any determination or redetermination regarding the rights to pandemic unemployment assistance under this section made by the State agency of any of the States. (B) ProcedureAll levels of appeal filed under this paragraph in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands—(i) shall be carried out by the applicable State that made the determination or redetermination; and (ii) shall be conducted in the same manner and to the same extent as the applicable State would conduct appeals of determinations or redeterminations regarding rights to regular compensation under State law. (C) Procedure for certain territoriesWith respect to any appeal filed in Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau—(i) lower level appeals shall be carried out by the applicable entity within the State; (ii) if a higher level appeal is allowed by the State, the higher level appeal shall be carried out by the applicability entity within the State; and (iii) appeals described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be conducted in the same manner and to the same extent as appeals of regular unemployment compensation are conducted under the unemployment compensation law of Hawaii. (6) Continued eligibility for assistanceAs a condition of continued eligibility for assistance under this section, a covered individual shall submit a recertification to the State for each week after the individual’s 1st week of eligibility that certifies that the individual remains an individual described in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii) for such week. (d) Amount of assistance(1) In generalThe assistance authorized under subsection (b) for a week of unemployment, partial unemployment, or inability to work shall be—(A)(i) the weekly benefit amount authorized under the unemployment compensation law of the State where the covered individual was employed, except that the amount may not be less than the minimum weekly benefit amount described in section 625.6 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and (ii) the amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under section 9023 of this title; and (B) in the case of an increase of the weekly benefit amount after March 27, 2020, increased in an amount equal to such increase. (2) Calculations of amounts for certain covered individualsIn the case of a covered individual who is self-employed, who lives in a territory described in subsection (c) or (d) of section 625.6 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, or who would not otherwise qualify for unemployment compensation under State law, the assistance authorized under subsection (b) for a week of unemployment shall be calculated in accordance with section 625.6 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, and shall be increased by the amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under section 9023 of this title. (3) Allowable methods of paymentAny assistance provided for in accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(ii) shall be payable either—(A) as an amount which is paid at the same time and in the same manner as the assistance provided for in paragraph (1)(A)(i) is payable for the week involved; or (B) at the option of the State, by payments which are made separately from, but on the same weekly basis as, any assistance provided for in paragraph (1)(A)(i). (4) Waiver authorityIn the case of individuals who have received amounts of pandemic unemployment assistance to which they were not entitled, the State shall require such individuals to repay the amounts of such pandemic unemployment assistance to the State agency, except that the State agency may waive such repayment if it determines that—(A) the payment of such pandemic unemployment assistance was without fault on the part of any such individual; and (B) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. (e) Waiver of State requirementNotwithstanding State law, for purposes of assistance authorized under this section, compensation under this Act shall be made to an individual otherwise eligible for such compensation without any waiting period. (f) Agreements with States(1) In generalThe Secretary shall provide the assistance authorized under subsection (b) through agreements with States which, in the judgment of the Secretary, have an adequate system for administering such assistance through existing State agencies, including procedures for identity verification or validation and for timely payment, to the extent reasonable and practicable. (2) Payments to StatesThere shall be paid to each State which has entered into an agreement under this subsection an amount equal to 100 percent of—(A) the total amount of assistance provided by the State pursuant to such agreement; and (B) any additional administrative expenses incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined by the Secretary), including any administrative expenses necessary to facilitate processing of applications for assistance under this section online or by telephone rather than in-person and expenses related to identity verification or validation and timely and accurate payment. (3) Terms of paymentsSums payable to any State by reason of such State’s having an agreement under this subsection shall be payable, either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as determined by the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this subsection for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that his estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (g) Funding(1) Assistance(A) In generalFunds in the extended unemployment compensation account (as established by section 1105(a) of title 42) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by section 1104(a) of title 42) shall be used to make payments to States pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(A). (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the extended unemployment compensation account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (2) Administrative expenses(A) In generalFunds in the employment security administration account (as established by section 1101(a) of title 42) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by section 1104(a) of title 42) shall be used to make payments to States pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(B). (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the employment security administration account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (3) CertificationsThe Secretary of Labor shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under paragraphs (1) and (2). (h) Relationship between pandemic unemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistanceExcept as otherwise provided in this section or to the extent there is a conflict between this section and part 625 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, such part 625 shall apply to this section as if—(1) the term “COVID–19 public health emergency” were substituted for the term “major disaster” each place it appears in such part 625; and (2) the term “pandemic” were substituted for the term “disaster” each place it appears in such part 625.

15 U.S.C. § 9022 Flexibility in paying reimbursement

The Secretary of Labor may issue clarifying guidance to allow States to interpret their State unemployment compensation laws in a manner that would provide maximum flexibility to reimbursing employers as it relates to timely payment and assessment of penalties and interest pursuant to such State laws.

15 U.S.C. § 9023 Emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits

(a) Federal-State agreementsAny State which desires to do so may enter into and participate in an agreement under this section with the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”). Any State which is a party to an agreement under this section may, upon providing 30 days’ written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement. (b) Provisions of agreement(1) Federal Pandemic Unemployment CompensationAny agreement under this section shall provide that the State agency of the State will make payments of regular compensation to individuals in amounts and to the extent that they would be determined if the State law of the State were applied, with respect to any week for which the individual is (disregarding this section) otherwise entitled under the State law to receive regular compensation, as if such State law had been modified in a manner such that the amount of regular compensation (including dependents’ allowances) payable for any week shall be equal to—(A) the amount determined under the State law (before the application of this paragraph), plus (B) an additional amount equal to the amount specified in paragraph (3) (in this section referred to as “Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation”), plus (C) an additional amount of $100 (in this section referred to as “Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation”) in any case in which the individual received at least $5,000 of self-employment income (as defined in section 1402(b) of title 26) in the most recent taxable year ending prior to the individual’s application for regular compensation. (2) Allowable methods of paymentAny Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation provided for in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be payable either—(A) as an amount which is paid at the same time and in the same manner as any regular compensation otherwise payable for the week involved; or (B) at the option of the State, by payments which are made separately from, but on the same weekly basis as, any regular compensation otherwise payable. (3) Amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation(A) 11 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted. In generalThe amount specified in this paragraph is the following amount:(i) For weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on which an agreement is entered into under this section and ending on or before July 31, 2020, $600. (ii) For weeks of unemployment beginning after December 26, 2020 (or, if later, the date on which such agreement is entered into), and ending on or before September 6, 2021, $300. (4) Certain documentation requiredAn agreement under this section shall include a requirement, similar to the requirement under section 9021(a)(3)(A)(iii) of this title, for the substantiation of self-employment income with respect to each applicant for Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation under paragraph (1)(C). (c) Nonreduction rule(1) In generalAn agreement under this section shall not apply (or shall cease to apply) with respect to a State upon a determination by the Secretary that the method governing the computation of regular compensation under the State law of that State has been modified in a manner such that the number of weeks (the maximum benefit entitlement), or the average weekly benefit amount, of regular compensation which will be payable during the period of the agreement (determined disregarding any Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation) will be less than the number of weeks, or the average weekly benefit amount, of the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation which would otherwise have been payable during such period under the State law, as in effect on January 1, 2020. (2) Maximum benefit entitlementIn paragraph (1), the term “maximum benefit entitlement” means the amount of regular unemployment compensation payable to an individual with respect to the individual’s benefit year. (d) Payments to States(1) In general(A) Full reimbursementThere shall be paid to each State which has entered into an agreement under this section an amount equal to 100 percent of—(i) the total amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant to such agreement; and (ii) any additional administrative expenses incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined by the Secretary). (B) Terms of paymentsSums payable to any State by reason of such State’s having an agreement under this section shall be payable, either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as determined by the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that his estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (2) CertificationsThe Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section. (3) AppropriationThere are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, such sums as may be necessary for purposes of this subsection. (e) ApplicabilityAn agreement entered into under this section shall apply—(1) to weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on which such agreement is entered into and ending on or before July 31, 2020; and (2) to weeks of unemployment beginning after December 26, 2020 (or, if later, the date on which such agreement is entered into), and ending on or before September 6, 2021. (f) Fraud and overpayments(1) In generalIf an individual knowingly has made, or caused to be made by another, a false statement or representation of a material fact, or knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact, and as a result of such false statement or representation or of such nondisclosure such individual has received an amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation to which such individual was not entitled, such individual—(A) shall be ineligible for further Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation in accordance with the provisions of the applicable State unemployment compensation law relating to fraud in connection with a claim for unemployment compensation; and (B) shall be subject to prosecution under section 1001 of title 18. (2) RepaymentIn the case of individuals who have received amounts of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation to which they were not entitled, the State shall require such individuals to repay the amounts of such Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation to the State agency, except that the State agency may waive such repayment if it determines that—(A) the payment of such Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation was without fault on the part of any such individual; and (B) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. (3) Recovery by State agency(A) In generalThe State agency shall recover the amount to be repaid, or any part thereof, by deductions from any Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation payable to such individual or from any unemployment compensation payable to such individual under any State or Federal unemployment compensation law administered by the State agency or under any other State or Federal law administered by the State agency which provides for the payment of any assistance or allowance with respect to any week of unemployment, during the 3-year period after the date such individuals received the payment of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation to which they were not entitled, in accordance with the same procedures as apply to the recovery of overpayments of regular unemployment benefits paid by the State. (B) Opportunity for hearingNo repayment shall be required, and no deduction shall be made, until a determination has been made, notice thereof and an opportunity for a fair hearing has been given to the individual, and the determination has become final. (4) ReviewAny determination by a State agency under this section shall be subject to review in the same manner and to the same extent as determinations under the State unemployment compensation law, and only in that manner and to that extent. (g) Application to other unemployment benefitsEach agreement under this section shall include provisions to provide that—(1) the purposes of the preceding provisions of this section, as such provisions apply with respect to Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, shall be applied with respect to unemployment benefits described in subsection (i)(2) to the same extent and in the same manner as if those benefits were regular compensation; and (2) the purposes of the preceding provisions of this section, as such provisions apply with respect to Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation, shall be applied with respect to unemployment benefits described in subparagraph (A), (B), (D), or (E) of subsection (i)(2) to the same extent and in the same manner as if those benefits were regular compensation. (h) Disregard of additional compensation for purposes of Medicaid and CHIPThe monthly equivalent of any Federal pandemic unemployment compensation paid to an individual under this section shall be disregarded when determining income for any purpose under the programs established under titles XIX and title XXI 22 So in original. of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.). (i) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—(1) the terms “compensation”, “regular compensation”, “benefit year”, “State”, “State agency”, “State law”, and “week” have the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note); and (2) any reference to unemployment benefits described in this paragraph shall be considered to refer to—(A) extended compensation (as defined by section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970); (B) regular compensation (as defined by section 85(b) of title 26) provided under any program administered by a State under an agreement with the Secretary; (C) pandemic unemployment assistance under section 9021 of this title; (D) pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 9025 of this title; and (E) short-time compensation under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section 3306(v) of title 26).

15 U.S.C. § 9024 Temporary full Federal funding of the first week of compensable regular unemployment for States with no waiting week

(a) Federal-State agreementsAny State which desires to do so may enter into and participate in an agreement under this section with the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”). Any State which is a party to an agreement under this section may, upon providing 30 days’ written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement. (b) Requirement that State law does not apply a waiting weekA State is eligible to enter into an agreement under this section if the State law (including a waiver of State law) provides that compensation is paid to individuals for their first week of regular unemployment without a waiting week. An agreement under this section shall not apply (or shall cease to apply) with respect to a State upon a determination by the Secretary that the State law no longer meets the requirement under the preceding sentence. (c) Payments to States(1) Full reimbursementExcept as provided in paragraph (3), there shall be paid to each State which has entered into an agreement under this section an amount equal to 100 percent of—(A) the total amount of regular compensation paid to individuals by the State for their first week of regular unemployment; and (B) any additional administrative expenses incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined by the Secretary). (2) Terms of paymentsSums payable to any State by reason of such State’s having an agreement under this section shall be payable, either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as determined by the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that his estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (d) Funding(1) Compensation(A) In generalFunds in the Federal unemployment account (as established by section 905(g)) 11 So in original. See References in Text note below. of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by section 904(a)) 1 shall be used to make payments under subsection (c)(1)(A). (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the Federal unemployment account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (2) Administrative expenses(A) In generalFunds in the employment security administration account (as established by section 1101(a) of title 42) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by section 1104(a) of title 42) shall be used to make payments to States pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(B). (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the employment security administration account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (3) CertificationsThe Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section. (e) ApplicabilityAn agreement entered into under this section shall apply to weeks of unemployment—(1) beginning after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending on or before September 6, 2021. (f) Fraud and overpaymentsThe provisions of section 9025(e) of this title shall apply with respect to compensation paid under an agreement under this section to the same extent and in the same manner as in the case of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under such section. (g) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section, the terms “regular compensation”, “State”, “State agency”, “State law”, and “week” have the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

15 U.S.C. § 9025 Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation

(a) Federal-State agreements(1) In generalAny State which desires to do so may enter into and participate in an agreement under this section with the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”). Any State which is a party to an agreement under this section may, upon providing 30 days’ written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement. (2) Provisions of agreementAny agreement under paragraph (1) shall provide that the State agency of the State will make payments of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation to individuals who—(A) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under the State law or under Federal law with respect to a benefit year (excluding any benefit year that ended before July 1, 2019); (B) have no rights to regular compensation with respect to a week under such law or any other State unemployment compensation law or to compensation under any other Federal law; (C) are not receiving compensation with respect to such week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada; and (D) are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work. (3) Exhaustion of benefitsFor purposes of paragraph (2)(A), an individual shall be deemed to have exhausted such individual’s rights to regular compensation under a State law when—(A) no payments of regular compensation can be made under such law because such individual has received all regular compensation available to such individual based on employment or wages during such individual’s base period; or (B) such individual’s rights to such compensation have been terminated by reason of the expiration of the benefit year with respect to which such rights existed. (4) Weekly benefit amount, etc.For purposes of any agreement under this section—(A) the amount of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation which shall be payable to any individual for any week of total unemployment shall be equal to—(i) the amount of the regular compensation (including dependents’ allowances) payable to such individual during such individual’s benefit year under the State law for a week of total unemployment; (ii) the amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under section 9023(b)(1)(B) of this title; and (iii) the amount (if any) of Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation under section 9023(b)(1)(C) of this title; (B) the terms and conditions of the State law which apply to claims for regular compensation and to the payment thereof (including terms and conditions relating to availability for work, active search for work, and refusal to accept work) shall apply to claims for pandemic emergency unemployment compensation and the payment thereof, except where otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this section or with the regulations or operating instructions of the Secretary promulgated to carry out this section; (C) the maximum amount of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation payable to any individual for whom an 11 So in original. Probably should be “a”. pandemic emergency unemployment compensation account is established under subsection (b) shall not exceed the amount established in such account for such individual; and (D) the allowable methods of payment under section 9023(b)(2) of this title shall apply to payments of amounts described in subparagraph (A)(ii). (5) Coordination rules(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), an agreement under this section shall apply with respect to a State only upon a determination by the Secretary that, under the State law or other applicable rules of such State, the payment of extended compensation for which an individual is otherwise eligible must be deferred until after the payment of any pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under subsection (b) for which the individual is concurrently eligible. (B) Special ruleIn the case of an individual who is receiving extended compensation under the State law for the week that includes December 27, 2020 (without regard to the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 206 of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020) or for the week that includes March 11, 2021 (without regard to the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 9016 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021), such individual shall not be eligible to receive pandemic emergency unemployment compensation by reason of such amendments until such individual has exhausted all rights to such extended benefits. (6) Nonreduction rule(A) In generalAn agreement under this section shall not apply (or shall cease to apply) with respect to a State upon a determination by the Secretary that the method governing the computation of regular compensation under the State law of that State has been modified in a manner such that the number of weeks (the maximum benefit entitlement), or the average weekly benefit amount, of regular compensation which will be payable during the period of the agreement will be less than the number of weeks, or the average weekly benefit amount, of the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation which would otherwise have been payable during such period under the State law, as in effect on January 1, 2020. (B) Maximum benefit entitlementIn subparagraph (A), the term “maximum benefit entitlement” means the amount of regular unemployment compensation payable to an individual with respect to the individual’s benefit year. (7) Actively seeking work(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (C),22 So in original. for purposes of paragraph (2)(D), the term “actively seeking work” means, with respect to any individual, that such individual—(i) is registered for employment services in such a manner and to such extent as prescribed by the State agency; (ii) has engaged in an active search for employment that is appropriate in light of the employment available in the labor market, the individual’s skills and capabilities, and includes a number of employer contacts that is consistent with the standards communicated to the individual by the State; (iii) has maintained a record of such work search, including employers contacted, method of contact, and date contacted; and (iv) when requested, has provided such work search record to the State agency. (B) FlexibilityNotwithstanding the requirements under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (2)(D), a State shall provide flexibility in meeting such requirements in case of individuals unable to search for work because of COVID–19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restriction. (8) Special rule for extended compensationAt the option of a State, for any weeks of unemployment beginning after December 27, 2020, and before September 6, 2021, an individual’s eligibility period (as described in section 203(c) of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note)) shall, for purposes of any determination of eligibility for extended compensation under the State law of such State, be considered to include any week which begins—(A) after the date as of which such individual exhausts all rights to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation; and (B) during an extended benefit period that began on or before the date described in subparagraph (A). (b) Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation account(1) In generalAny agreement under this section shall provide that the State will establish, for each eligible individual who files an application for pandemic emergency unemployment compensation, an 1 pandemic emergency unemployment compensation account with respect to such individual’s benefit year. (2) Amount in accountThe amount established in an account under subsection (a) shall be equal to 53 times the individual’s average weekly benefit amount, which includes the amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under section 9023 of this title, for the benefit year. (3) Weekly benefit amountFor purposes of this subsection, an individual’s weekly benefit amount for any week is the amount of regular compensation (including dependents’ allowances) under the State law payable to such individual for such week for total unemployment plus the amount of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under section 9023 of this title. (4) Coordination of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation with regular compensation(A) In generalIf—(i) an individual has been determined to be entitled to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation with respect to a benefit year; (ii) that benefit year has expired; (iii) that individual has remaining entitlement to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation with respect to that benefit year; and (iv) that individual would qualify for a new benefit year in which the weekly benefit amount of regular compensation is at least $25 less than the individual’s weekly benefit amount in the benefit year referred to in clause (i), then the State shall determine eligibility for compensation as provided in subparagraph (B). (B) Determination of eligibilityFor individuals described in subparagraph (A), the State shall determine whether the individual is to be paid pandemic emergency unemployment compensation or regular compensation for a week of unemployment using one of the following methods:(i) The State shall, if permitted by State law, establish a new benefit year, but defer the payment of regular compensation with respect to that new benefit year until exhaustion of all pandemic emergency unemployment compensation payable with respect to the benefit year referred to in subparagraph (A)(i). (ii) The State shall, if permitted by State law, defer the establishment of a new benefit year (which uses all the wages and employment which would have been used to establish a benefit year but for the application of this subparagraph), until exhaustion of all pandemic emergency unemployment compensation payable with respect to the benefit year referred to in subparagraph (A)(i). (iii) The State shall pay, if permitted by State law—(I) regular compensation equal to the weekly benefit amount established under the new benefit year; and (II) pandemic emergency unemployment compensation equal to the difference between that weekly benefit amount and the weekly benefit amount for the expired benefit year. (iv) The State shall determine rights to pandemic emergency unemployment compensation without regard to any rights to regular compensation if the individual elects to not file a claim for regular compensation under the new benefit year. (c) Payments to States having agreements for the payment of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation(1) In generalThere shall be paid to each State that has entered into an agreement under this section an amount equal to 100 percent of the pandemic emergency unemployment compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant to such agreement. (2) Treatment of reimbursable compensationNo payment shall be made to any State under this section in respect of any compensation to the extent the State is entitled to reimbursement in respect of such compensation under the provisions of any Federal law other than this section or chapter 85 of title 5. A State shall not be entitled to any reimbursement under such chapter 85 in respect of any compensation to the extent the State is entitled to reimbursement under this section in respect of such compensation. (3) Determination of amountSums payable to any State by reason of such State having an agreement under this section shall be payable, either in advance or by way of reimbursement (as may be determined by the Secretary), in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that the Secretary’s estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (d) Financing provisions(1) Compensation(A) In generalFunds in the extended unemployment compensation account (as established by section 905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1105(a)) of the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established by section 904(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1104(a)) shall be used for the making of payments to States having agreements entered into under this section. (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the extended unemployment compensation account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (2) Administration(A) In generalThere are appropriated out of the employment security administration account (as established by section 901(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1101(a)) 33 So in original. A third closing parenthesis probably should appear. of the Unemployment Trust Fund, without fiscal year limitation, such funds as may be necessary for purposes of assisting States (as provided in title III of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.)) in meeting the costs of administration of agreements under this section. (B) Transfer of fundsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury (from funds not otherwise appropriated) to the employment security administration account such sums as the Secretary of Labor estimates to be necessary to make payments described in subparagraph (A). There are appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, the sums referred to in the preceding sentence and such sums shall not be required to be repaid. (3) CertificationThe Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this subsection. The Secretary of the Treasury, prior to audit or settlement by the Government Accountability Office, shall make payments to the State in accordance with such certification, by transfers from the extended unemployment compensation account (as so established) to the account of such State in the Unemployment Trust Fund (as so established). (e) Fraud and overpayments(1) In generalIf an individual knowingly has made, or caused to be made by another, a false statement or representation of a material fact, or knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact, and as a result of such false statement or representation or of such nondisclosure such individual has received an amount of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under this section to which such individual was not entitled, such individual—(A) shall be ineligible for further pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under this section in accordance with the provisions of the applicable State unemployment compensation law relating to fraud in connection with a claim for unemployment compensation; and (B) shall be subject to prosecution under section 1001 of title 18. (2) RepaymentIn the case of individuals who have received amounts of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under this section to which they were not entitled, the State shall require such individuals to repay the amounts of such pandemic emergency unemployment compensation to the State agency, except that the State agency may waive such repayment if it determines that—(A) the payment of such pandemic emergency unemployment compensation was without fault on the part of any such individual; and (B) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience. (3) Recovery by State agency(A) In generalThe State agency shall recover the amount to be repaid, or any part thereof, by deductions from any pandemic emergency unemployment compensation payable to such individual under this section or from any unemployment compensation payable to such individual under any State or Federal unemployment compensation law administered by the State agency or under any other State or Federal law administered by the State agency which provides for the payment of any assistance or allowance with respect to any week of unemployment, during the 3-year period after the date such individuals received the payment of the pandemic emergency unemployment compensation to which they were not entitled, in accordance with the same procedures as apply to the recovery of overpayments of regular unemployment benefits paid by the State. (B) Opportunity for hearingNo repayment shall be required, and no deduction shall be made, until a determination has been made, notice thereof and an opportunity for a fair hearing has been given to the individual, and the determination has become final. (4) ReviewAny determination by a State agency under this section shall be subject to review in the same manner and to the same extent as determinations under the State unemployment compensation law, and only in that manner and to that extent. (f) DefinitionsIn this section, the terms “compensation”, “regular compensation”, “extended compensation”, “benefit year”, “base period”, “State”, “State agency”, “State law”, and “week” have the respective meanings given such terms under section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note). (g) ApplicabilityAn agreement entered into under this section shall apply to weeks of unemployment—(1) beginning after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending on or before September 6, 2021.

15 U.S.C. § 9026 Temporary financing of short-time compensation payments in States with programs in law

(a) Payments to States(1) In generalSubject to paragraph (3), there shall be paid to a State an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of short-time compensation paid under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section 3306(v) of title 26) under the provisions of the State law. (2) Terms of paymentsPayments made to a State under paragraph (1) shall be payable by way of reimbursement in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that the Secretary’s estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (3) Limitations on payments(A) General payment limitationsNo payments shall be made to a State under this section for short-time compensation paid to an individual by the State during a benefit year in excess of 26 times the amount of regular compensation (including dependents’ allowances) under the State law payable to such individual for a week of total unemployment. (B) Employer limitationsNo payments shall be made to a State under this section for benefits paid to an individual by the State under a short-time compensation program if such individual is employed by the participating employer on a seasonal, temporary, or intermittent basis. (b) ApplicabilityPayments to a State under subsection (a) shall be available for weeks of unemployment—(1) beginning on or after March 27, 2020; and (2) ending on or before September 6, 2021. (c) New programsSubject to subsection (b)(2), if at any point after March 27, 2020, the State enacts a State law providing for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time compensation program that meets the definition of such a program under section 3306(v) of title 26, the State shall be eligible for payments under this section after the effective date of such enactment. (d) Funding and certifications(1) FundingThere are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary for purposes of carrying out this section. (2) CertificationsThe Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section. (e) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) SecretaryThe term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor. (2) State; State agency; State lawThe terms “State”, “State agency”, and “State law” have the meanings given those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

15 U.S.C. § 9027 Temporary financing of short-time compensation agreements

(a) Federal-State agreements(1) In generalAny State which desires to do so may enter into, and participate in, an agreement under this section with the Secretary provided that such State’s law does not provide for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section 3306(v) of title 26). (2) Ability to terminateAny State which is a party to an agreement under this section may, upon providing 30 days’ written notice to the Secretary, terminate such agreement. (b) Provisions of Federal-State agreement(1) In generalAny agreement under this section shall provide that the State agency of the State will make payments of short-time compensation under a plan approved by the State. Such plan shall provide that payments are made in accordance with the requirements under section 3306(v) of title 26. (2) Limitations on plans(A) General payment limitationsA short-time compensation plan approved by a State shall not permit the payment of short-time compensation to an individual by the State during a benefit year in excess of 26 times the amount of regular compensation (including dependents’ allowances) under the State law payable to such individual for a week of total unemployment. (B) Employer limitationsA short-time compensation plan approved by a State shall not provide payments to an individual if such individual is employed by the participating employer on a seasonal, temporary, or intermittent basis. (3) Employer payment of costsAny short-time compensation plan entered into by an employer must provide that the employer will pay the State an amount equal to one-half of the amount of short-time compensation paid under such plan. Such amount shall be deposited in the State’s unemployment fund and shall not be used for purposes of calculating an employer’s contribution rate under section 3303(a)(1) of title 26. (c) Payments to States(1) In generalThere shall be paid to each State with an agreement under this section an amount equal to—(A) one-half of the amount of short-time compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant to such agreement; and (B) any additional administrative expenses incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as determined by the Secretary). (2) Terms of paymentsPayments made to a State under paragraph (1) shall be payable by way of reimbursement in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month, reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary finds that the Secretary’s estimates for any prior calendar month were greater or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State involved. (3) FundingThere are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary for purposes of carrying out this section. (4) CertificationsThe Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section. (d) ApplicabilityAn agreement entered into under this section shall apply to weeks of unemployment—(1) beginning on or after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and (2) ending on or before September 6, 2021. (e) Special ruleIf a State has entered into an agreement under this section and subsequently enacts a State law providing for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time compensation program that meets the definition of such a program under section 3306(v) of title 26, the State—(1) shall not be eligible for payments under this section for weeks of unemployment beginning after the effective date of such State law; and (2) subject to section 9026(b)(2) of this title, shall be eligible to receive payments under section 9026 of this title after the effective date of such State law. (f) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) SecretaryThe term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor. (2) State; State agency; State lawThe terms “State”, “State agency”, and “State law” have the meanings given those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

15 U.S.C. § 9028 Grants for short-time compensation programs

(a) Grants(1) For implementation or improved administrationThe Secretary shall award grants to States that enact short-time compensation programs (as defined in subsection (i)(2)) for the purpose of implementation or improved administration of such programs. (2) For promotion and enrollmentThe Secretary shall award grants to States that are eligible and submit plans for a grant under paragraph (1) for such States to promote and enroll employers in short-time compensation programs (as so defined). (3) Eligibility(A) In generalThe Secretary shall determine eligibility criteria for the grants under paragraphs (1) and (2). (B) ClarificationA State administering a short-time compensation program that does not meet the definition of a short-time compensation program under section 3306(v) of title 26, and a State with an agreement under section 9027 of this title, shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this section until such time as the State law of the State provides for payments under a short-time compensation program that meets such definition and such law. (b) Amount of grants(1) In generalThe maximum amount available for making grants to a State under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $100,000,000 (less the amount used by the Secretary under subsection (e)) by the same ratio as would apply under subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 1103 of title 42 for purposes of determining such State’s share of any excess amount (as described in subsection (a)(1) of such section) that would have been subject to transfer to State accounts, as of October 1, 2019, under the provisions of subsection (a) of such section. (2) Amount available for different grantsOf the maximum incentive payment determined under paragraph (1) with respect to a State—(A) one-third shall be available for a grant under subsection (a)(1); and (B) two-thirds shall be available for a grant under subsection (a)(2). (c) Grant application and disbursal(1) ApplicationAny State seeking a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and complete with such information as the Secretary may require. In no case may the Secretary award a grant under this section with respect to an application that is submitted after December 31, 2023. (2) NoticeThe Secretary shall, within 30 days after receiving a complete application, notify the State agency of the State of the Secretary’s findings with respect to the requirements for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) (or both) of subsection (a). (3) CertificationIf the Secretary finds that the State law provisions meet the requirements for a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall thereupon make a certification to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury, together with a certification as to the amount of the grant payment to be transferred to the State account in the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established in section 1104(a) of title 42) pursuant to that finding. The Secretary of the Treasury shall make the appropriate transfer to the State account within 7 days after receiving such certification. (4) RequirementNo certification of compliance with the requirements for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) may be made with respect to any State whose—(A) State law is not otherwise eligible for certification under section 503 of title 42 or approvable under section 3304 of title 26; or (B) short-time compensation program is subject to discontinuation or is not scheduled to take effect within 12 months of the certification. (d) Use of fundsThe amount of any grant awarded under this section shall be used for the implementation of short-time compensation programs and the overall administration of such programs and the promotion and enrollment efforts associated with such programs, such as through—(1) the creation or support of rapid response teams to advise employers about alternatives to layoffs; (2) the provision of education or assistance to employers to enable them to assess the feasibility of participating in short-time compensation programs; and (3) the development or enhancement of systems to automate—(A) the submission and approval of plans; and (B) the filing and approval of new and ongoing short-time compensation claims. (e) AdministrationThe Secretary is authorized to use 0.25 percent of the funds available under subsection (g) to provide for outreach and to share best practices with respect to this section and short-time compensation programs. (f) RecoupmentThe Secretary shall establish a process under which the Secretary shall recoup the amount of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that, during the 5-year period beginning on the first date that any such grant is awarded to the State, the State—(1) terminated the State’s short-time compensation program; or (2) failed to meet appropriate requirements with respect to such program (as established by the Secretary). (g) FundingThere are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary, $100,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available without fiscal year limitation. (h) ReportingThe Secretary may establish reporting requirements for States receiving a grant under this section in order to provide oversight of grant funds. (i) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) SecretaryThe term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor. (2) Short-time compensation programThe term “short-time compensation program” has the meaning given such term in section 3306(v) of title 26. (3) State; State agency; State lawThe terms “State”, “State agency”, and “State law” have the meanings given those terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).

15 U.S.C. § 9029 Assistance and guidance in implementing programs

(a) In generalIn order to assist States in establishing, qualifying, and implementing short-time compensation programs (as defined in section 3306(v) of title 26), the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) shall—(1) develop model legislative language, or disseminate existing model legislative language, which may be used by States in developing and enacting such programs, and periodically review and revise such model legislative language; (2) provide technical assistance and guidance in developing, enacting, and implementing such programs; and (3) establish reporting requirements for States, including reporting on—(A) the number of estimated averted layoffs; (B) the number of participating employers and workers; and (C) such other items as the Secretary of Labor determines are appropriate. (b) Model language and guidanceThe model language and guidance developed under subsection (a) shall allow sufficient flexibility by States and participating employers while ensuring accountability and program integrity. (c) ConsultationIn developing the model legislative language and guidance under subsection (a), and in order to meet the requirements of subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with employers, labor organizations, State workforce agencies, and other program experts. Existing model legislative language that has been developed through such a consultative process shall be deemed to meet the consultation requirement of this subsection.

15 U.S.C. § 9030 Waiver of the 7-day waiting period for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act

(a) No waiting weekWith respect to any registration period beginning after March 27, 2020, and ending on or before September 6, 2021, subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B)(ii) of section 2(a)(1) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. 352(a)(1)) shall not apply. (b) Operating instructions and regulationsThe Railroad Retirement Board may prescribe any operating instructions or regulations necessary to carry out this section. (c) FundingOut of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $50,000,000 to cover the costs of additional benefits payable due to the application of subsection (a). Upon the exhaustion of the funds appropriated under this subsection, subsection (a) shall no longer apply with respect to any registration period beginning after the date of exhaustion of funds. (d) Definition of registration periodFor purposes of this section, the term “registration period” has the meaning given such term under section 1 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (45 U.S.C. 351).

15 U.S.C. § 9031 Funding for the DOL Office of Inspector General for oversight of unemployment provisions

There are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, $25,000,000 to carry out audits, investigations, and other oversight activities authorized under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) 11 See References in Text note below. that are related to the provisions of, and amendments made by, this subtitle, to remain available without fiscal year limitation.

15 U.S.C. § 9032 Implementation

(a) Non-application of the Paperwork Reduction ActChapter 35 of title 44 (commonly referred to as the “Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995”),11 So in original. shall not apply to the provisions of, and the amendments made by, this subtitle. (b) Operating instructions or other guidanceNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Labor may issue any operating instructions or other guidance necessary to carry out the provisions of, or the amendments made by, this subtitle.

15 U.S.C. § 9033 Return to work reporting

Each State participating in an agreement under any of the preceding sections of this subtitle shall have in effect a method to address any circumstances in which, during any period during which such agreement is in effect, claimants of unemployment compensation refuse to return to work or to accept an offer of suitable work without good cause. Such method shall include the following: (1) A reporting method for employers, such as through a phone line, email, or online portal, to notify the State agency when an individual refuses an offer of employment. (2) A plain-language notice provided to such claimants about State return to work laws, rights to refuse to return to work or to refuse suitable work, including what constitutes suitable work, and a claimant’s right to refuse work that poses a risk to the claimant’s health or safety, and information on contesting the denial of a claim that has been denied due to a report by an employer that the claimant refused to return to work or refused suitable work.

15 U.S.C. § 9034 Funding for fraud prevention, equitable access, and timely payment to eligible workers

(a) In generalIn addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Labor for fiscal year 2021, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, to detect and prevent fraud, promote equitable access, and ensure the timely payment of benefits with respect to unemployment compensation programs, including programs extended under subtitle A of title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. (b) Use of fundsAmounts made available under subsection (a) may be used—(1) for Federal administrative costs related to the purposes described in subsection (a); (2) for systemwide infrastructure investment and development related to such purposes; and (3) to make grants to States or territories administering unemployment compensation programs described in subsection (a) (including territories administering the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program under section 9021 of this title) for such purposes, including the establishment of procedures or the building of infrastructure to verify or validate identity, implement Federal guidance regarding fraud detection and prevention, and accelerate claims processing or process claims backlogs due to the pandemic. (c) Restrictions on grants to States and territoriesAs a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (b)(3), the Secretary may require that a State or territory receiving such a grant shall—(1) use such program integrity tools as the Secretary may specify; and (2) as directed by the Secretary, conduct user accessibility testing on any new system developed by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b)(2).

Starting a business? Corpus forms LLCs in all 50 states and DC.