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CCH® UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE — 12/10/13

DOL announces changes in eligibility for EUC08 claimants in Alaska, Mississippi, and Wisconsin

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) produces trigger notices indicating which states qualify for EUC08 benefits, and provides the beginning and ending dates of payable periods for each qualifying state. The trigger notices covering state eligibility for this program can be found at: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims_arch.asp.

The following changes have occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the states’ EUC08 trigger status:

Alaska triggered “off” Tier 3 of EUC08 effective August 24, 2013. Based on data from Alaska for the week ending August 3, 2013, the 13-week insured unemployment rate in Alaska was 3.9%, falling below the 4.0% trigger rate threshold to remain “on” in Tier 3 of EUC08. The week ending August 24, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Alaska who had exhausted Tier 2, and were otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 3 eligibility.

Mississippi triggered “off” Tier 4 of EUC08 effective September 14, 2013. Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on August 19, 2013, the three-month average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate in Mississippi was 8.9%, falling below the 9.0% trigger rate threshold to remain “on” in Tier 4 of EUC08. The week ending September 14, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Mississippi who had exhausted Tier 3, and were otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 4 eligibility.

Wisconsin also triggered “off” Tier 3 of EUC08 effective September 14, 2013. Based on data released by the BLS on August 19, 2013, the three-month average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate in Wisconsin was 6.9%, falling below the 7.0% trigger rate threshold to remain “on” in Tier 3 of EUC08. The week ending September 14, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Wisconsin who had exhausted Tier 2, and were otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 3 eligibility.

Information for claimants. The duration of benefits payable in the EUC08 program, and the terms and conditions under which they are payable, are governed by Public Laws 110-252, 110-449, 111-5, 111-92, 111-118, 111-144, 111-157, 111-205, 111-312, 112-96, and 112-240, and the operating instructions issued to the states by the DOL. In the case of a state beginning or concluding a payable period in EUC08, the State Workforce Agency (SWA) will furnish a written notice of any change in potential entitlement to each individual who can establish, or has established, eligibility for benefits (20 CFR 615.13 (c)(1) and (c)(4)).

Individuals who believe they may be entitled to benefits in the EUC08 program, or who wish to inquire about their rights under the program, should contact their SWA.

For further information, contact Tony Sznoluch, U.S. DOL, ETA, Office of Unemployment Insurance, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Frances Perkins Bldg., Room S-4524, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3176 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email to sznoluch.anatoli@dol.gov (78 Fed. Reg. 68865, November 15, 2013).