SB 906

This bill changes the maximum number of weeks of regular unemployment

insurance (UI) benefits payable to an eligible claimant who is totally unemployed to

an amount that varies depending upon the seasonally adjusted statewide average

unemployment rate for the first or third calendar quarter immediately preceding the

beginning of the claimant's benefit year.

Currently, the maximum number of weeks of regular UI benefits payable to an

eligible claimant who is totally unemployed and who earns sufficient wages to

qualify for those benefits is fixed at 26 weeks.

SB906,2,69

Under the bill, the maximum number of weeks for claimants whose benefit

years begin during the first half of a given year is based upon the unemployment rate

for the third quarter of the preceding year, and the maximum number of weeks for

claimants whose benefit years begin during the second half of a given year is based

upon the unemployment rate for the first quarter of that year. Once a claimant

begins a benefit year, the claimant's maximum number of weeks of regular benefits

is fixed for that benefit year. Because the maximum number of weeks of state

supplemental benefits payable to a claimant is calculated in part based upon the

maximum number of weeks of regular benefits payable to a claimant, the change also

affects the maximum number of weeks of state supplemental benefits payable to a

claimant. Under the bill, the maximum number of weeks of regular benefits for total

unemployment is determined as follows:

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See PDF for table