SB 233

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

unemployment rate.

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.

SB233,2,59

Under the bill, the maximum number of weeks available to claimants is

determined monthly, based upon the unemployment rate using the most recently

available federal data. 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