SUBCHAPTER II—UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROVISIONS

§9021. Pandemic unemployment assistance

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) COVID–19

The term "COVID–19" means the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV.

(2) COVID–19 public health emergency

The 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 individual

The 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) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

(5) State

The 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–19

Subject 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 general

Except 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 assistance

The 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, 2020

The 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 general

An 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) Procedure

All 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 territories

With 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 assistance

As 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 general

The 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 individuals

In 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 payment

Any 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 authority

In 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 requirement

Notwithstanding 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 general

The 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 States

There 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 payments

Sums 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 general

Funds 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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 general

Funds 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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) Certifications

The 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 assistance

Except 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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2102, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 313; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §§201(a)–(c)(1), (d), 209(a), 241(a), 242(a), 263(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1950—1952, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1963; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9011(a), (b), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 118.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is div. A of Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 286. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–2, §9011(a)(1)(A), substituted "paragraph (2)" for "paragraphs (2) and (3)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–2, §9011(a)(1)(B), substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 117–2, §9011(b), substituted "79 weeks" for "50 weeks" and "79-week period" for "50-week period".

Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 117–2, §9011(a)(2), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3) which related to a transition rule for individuals remaining entitled to pandemic unemployment assistance as of Mar. 14, 2021.

2020—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 116–260, §241(a), added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(a)(1)(A), substituted "paragraphs (2) and (3)" for "paragraph (2)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(a)(1)(B), substituted "March 14, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(b), substituted "50 weeks" for "39 weeks" and "50-week period" for "39-week period".

Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(a)(2), (3), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(c)(1), added par. (5).

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 116–260, §263(a), added par. (6).

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, §201(d), added par. (4).

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, §242(a)(1), inserted ", including procedures for identity verification or validation and for timely payment, to the extent reasonable and practicable" before period at end.

Subsec. (f)(2)(B). Pub. L. 116–260, §242(a)(2), inserted "and expenses related to identity verification or validation and timely and accurate payment" before period at end.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 116–260, §209(a), substituted "part 625" for "section 625" wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9011(d), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 118, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), except that no amount shall be payable by virtue of such amendments with respect to any week of unemployment ending on or before March 14, 2021."

Effective Date of 2020 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §201(c)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1952, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if enacted as part of division A of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), except that any decision issued on appeal or review before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020] shall not be affected by the amendment made by paragraph (1)."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §201(g), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1952, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), except that no amount shall be payable by virtue of such amendments with respect to any week of unemployment commencing before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020]."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §209(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1956, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) [enacting this section]."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §241(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1960, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to any individual who files a new application for pandemic unemployment assistance or claims pandemic unemployment assistance for any week of unemployment under section 2102 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) on or after January 31, 2021.

"(2) Special rule.—An individual who received pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) for any week ending before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020] shall not be considered ineligible for such assistance for such week solely by reason of failure to submit documentation described in clause (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(A) of such section 2102, as added by subsection (a).

"(3) Prior applicants.—With respect to an individual who applied for pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) before January 31, 2021, and receives such assistance on or after the date of enactment of this Act, clause (iii) of subsection (a)(3)(A) of such section shall be applied by substituting '90 days' for '21 days'."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §242(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1960, provided that: "The requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply, with respect to agreements made under section 2102 of the CARES Act [Pub. L. 116–136, enacting this section], beginning on the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020]."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §263(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1963, provided that:

"(1) In general.—The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to weeks beginning on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this section [Dec. 27, 2020].

"(2) Special rule.—In the case of any State that made a good faith effort to implement section 2102 of division A of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) in accordance with rules similar to those provided in section 625.6 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, for weeks ending before the effective date specified in paragraph (1), an individual who received pandemic unemployment assistance from such State for any such week shall not be considered ineligible for such assistance for such week solely by reason of failure to submit a recertification described in subsection (c)(5) of such section 2102."

Hold Harmless for Proper Administration of Amendment

Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9011(c), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 118, provided that: "In the case of an individual who is eligible to receive pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 11, 2021] and on the date of enactment of this Act becomes eligible for pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 2107 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9025) by reason of the amendments made by section 9016(b) of this title [amending section 9025 of this title], any payment of pandemic unemployment assistance under such section 2102 made after the date of enactment of this Act to such individual during an appropriate period of time, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, that should have been made under such section 2107 shall not be considered to be an overpayment of assistance under such section 2102, except that an individual may not receive payment for assistance under section 2102 and a payment for assistance under section 2107 for the same week of unemployment."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §201(e), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1952, provided that: "In the case of an individual who is eligible to receive pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 [of] the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020] and on the date of enactment of this Act becomes eligible for pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 2107 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9025) by reason of the amendments made by section 206(b) of this subtitle [amending section 9025 of this title], any payment of pandemic unemployment assistance under such section 2102 made after the date of enactment of this Act to such individual during an appropriate period of time, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, that should have been made under such section 2107 shall not be considered to be an overpayment of assistance under such section 2102, except that an individual may not receive payment for assistance under section 2102 and a payment for assistance under section 2107 for the same week of unemployment."

First Application Limitation

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §201(f), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1952, provided that: "In the case of a covered individual whose first application for pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021) is filed after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020], subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) of such section 2102 shall be applied by substituting 'December 1, 2020' for 'January 27, 2020'."

Technical Correction for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §265, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1964, provided that: "A Commonwealth Only Transitional Worker (as defined in section 6(i)(2) of the Joint Resolution entitled 'A Joint Resolution to approve the "Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America", and for other purposes' (48 U.S.C. 1806)) shall be considered a qualified alien under section 431 of Public Law 104–193 (8 U.S.C. 1641) for purposes of eligibility for a benefit under section 2102 or 2104 of the CARES Act [15 U.S.C. 9021, 9023]."

§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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2103(a), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 317.)

§9023. Emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits

(a) Federal-State agreements

Any 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 Compensation

Any 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 payment

Any 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) ¹ In general

The 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 required

An 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 general

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 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 entitlement

In 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 reimbursement

There 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 payments

Sums 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) Certifications

The 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) Appropriation

There 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) Applicability

An 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 general

If 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) Repayment

In 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 general

The 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 hearing

No 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) Review

Any 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 benefits

Each 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 CHIP

The 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 ² of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.).

(i) Definitions

For 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2104, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 318; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §§203, 261(a), (b)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1953, 1961; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9013, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 119.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (h), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Titles XIX and XXI of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XIX (§1396 et seq.) and XXI (§1397aa et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), (2)(A), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–2, §9013(b), substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–2, §9013(a), substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

2020—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(a)(1)(A), substituted ", plus" for period at end.

Pub. L. 116–260, §203(b)(1)(A), substituted "amount equal to the amount specified in paragraph (3)" for "amount of $600".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(a)(1)(B), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(1)(A), inserted "or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation" after "Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 116–260, §203(b)(1)(B), added par. (3).

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(a)(2), added par. (4).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(1)(A), inserted "or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation" after "Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation".

Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(1)(B), inserted "and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation" after "Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–260, §203(a), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "An 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 July 31, 2020."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(1)(A), inserted "or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation" after "Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(1)(C), substituted "provide that—" and pars. (1) and (2) for "provide that the purposes of the preceding provisions of this section 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."

Subsec. (i)(2)(E). Pub. L. 116–260, §203(b)(2), added subpar. (E).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

State's Right of Non-Participation

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §261(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1962, provided that: "Any State participating in an agreement under section 2104 of the CARES Act [15 U.S.C. 9023] may elect to continue paying Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under such agreement without providing Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation pursuant to the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 9025 of this title]. Such amendments shall apply with respect to such a State only if the State so elects, in which case such amendments shall apply with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after the later of the date of such election or the date of enactment of this section [Dec. 27, 2020]."

Technical Correction for the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth Only Transitional Workers to be considered qualified aliens under section 1641 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality, for purposes of eligibility for a benefit under this section, see section 265 of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 9021 of this title.

¹ So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.

² So in original.

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

(a) Federal-State agreements

Any 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 week

A 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 reimbursement

Except 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 payments

Sums 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 general

Funds in the Federal unemployment account (as established by section 905(g)) ¹ 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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 general

Funds 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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) Certifications

The 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) Applicability

An 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 overpayments

The 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) Definitions

For 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2105, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 321; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §204, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1953; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9014, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 119.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 905(g) and section 904(a), referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(A), probably mean sections 905(g) and 904(a) of the Social Security Act. However, section 905(g) probably should be a reference to section 904(g) as there is no subsec. (g) in section 905 of the Act, and section 904(g) establishes the Federal unemployment account. Section 904(a) and (g) is classified to section 1104(a) and (g), respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (g), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–2, §9014(b), struck out par. (3). Text read as follows: "With respect to compensation paid to individuals for weeks of unemployment ending after December 31, 2020, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting '50 percent' for '100 percent'."

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–2, §9014(a), substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

2020—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, §204(1)(A), substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (3), there shall be paid" for "There shall be paid" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 116–260, §204(1)(B), added par. (3).

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, §204(2), substituted "March 14, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Full Reimbursement

Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9014(b), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 119, provided that: "Paragraph (3) of section 2105(c) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 9024(c)) is repealed and such section shall be applied to weeks of unemployment to which an agreement under section 2105 of such Act applies as if such paragraph had not been enacted. In implementing the preceding sentence, a State may, if necessary, reenter the agreement with the Secretary under section 2105 of such Act, and retroactively pay for the first week of regular compensation without a waiting week consistent with State law (including a waiver of State law) and receive full reimbursement for weeks of unemployment that ended after December 31, 2020."

¹ So in original. See References in Text note below.

§9025. Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation

(a) Federal-State agreements

(1) In general

Any 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 agreement

Any 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 benefits

For 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 ¹ 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 general

Subject 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 rule

In 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 general

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 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 entitlement

In 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 general

Subject to subparagraph (C),² 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) Flexibility

Notwithstanding 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 compensation

At 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 general

Any 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 account

The 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 amount

For 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 general

If—

(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 eligibility

For 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 general

There 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 compensation

No 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 amount

Sums 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 general

Funds 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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 general

There 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)) ³ 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 funds

Notwithstanding 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) Certification

The 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 general

If 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) Repayment

In 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 general

The 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 hearing

No 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) Review

Any 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) Definitions

In 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) Applicability

An 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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2107, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 323; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §§206(a)–(c), 261(b)(2), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1954, 1962; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9016(a)–(d), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 119, 120.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 206 of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(B), are the amendments made by subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 206 of chapter 1 of subtitle A of title II of div. N of Pub. L. 116–260, which amended this section.

The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 9016 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, referred to in subsec. (a)(5)(B), are the amendments made by subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 9016 of Pub. L. 117–2, which amended this section.

Sections 203(c) and 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsecs. (a)(8) and (f), respectively, are sections 203(c) and 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which are set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(A), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title III of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (§501 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 117–2, §9016(c), inserted "or for the week that includes March 11, 2021 (without regard to the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of section 9016 of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021)" after "2020)".

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 117–2, §9016(d), substituted "September 6, 2021" for "April 12, 2021" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–2, §9016(b), substituted "53 times" for "24 times".

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–2, §9016(a), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) related to applicability, transition rule, and termination date.

2020—Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 116–260, §261(b)(2), struck out "and" at end of cl. (i), substituted "section 9023(b)(1)(B) of this title; and" for "section 9023 of this title;" in cl. (ii), and added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 116–260, §206(c)(2)(A), substituted "rules" for "rule" in heading, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted subpar. heading, substituted "Subject to subparagraph (B), an agreement" for "An agreement", and added subpar. (B).

Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 116–260, §206(c)(2)(B), added par. (8).

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, §206(b), substituted "24 times" for "13 times".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, §206(c)(1), added par. (4).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 116–260, §206(a), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "An 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 December 31, 2020."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9016(e), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 120, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), except that no amount shall be payable by virtue of such amendments with respect to any week of unemployment ending on or before March 14, 2021."

Effective Date of 2020 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §206(d), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1956, provided that:

"(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply as if included in the enactment of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136), except that no amount shall be payable by virtue of such amendments with respect to any week of unemployment commencing before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020].

"(2) Coordination rules.—The amendments made by subsection (c)(1) shall apply to individuals whose benefit years, as described in section 2107(b)(4)(A)(ii) of the CARES Act [15 U.S.C. 9025(b)(4)(A)(ii)], expire after the date of enactment of this Act."

¹ So in original. Probably should be "a".

² So in original.

³ So in original. A third closing parenthesis probably should appear.

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

(a) Payments to States

(1) In general

Subject 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 payments

Payments 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 limitations

No 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 limitations

No 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) Applicability

Payments 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 programs

Subject 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) Funding

There 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) Certifications

The 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) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

(2) State; State agency; State law

The 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2108, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 328; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §207, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1956; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9017, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 120.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Codification

Section is comprised of section 2108 of Pub. L. 116–136. Subsec. (f) of section 2108 of Pub. L. 116–136 amended section 3306 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–2 substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

2020—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted "March 14, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".

§9027. Temporary financing of short-time compensation agreements

(a) Federal-State agreements

(1) In general

Any 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 terminate

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 Federal-State agreement

(1) In general

Any 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 limitations

A 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 limitations

A 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 costs

Any 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 general

There 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 payments

Payments 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) Funding

There 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) Certifications

The 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) Applicability

An 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 rule

If 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) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

(2) State; State agency; State law

The 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2109, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 329; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §208, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1956; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9018, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 120.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 117–2 substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

2020—Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted "March 14, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".

§9028. Grants for short-time compensation programs

(a) Grants

(1) For implementation or improved administration

The 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 enrollment

The 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 general

The Secretary shall determine eligibility criteria for the grants under paragraphs (1) and (2).

(B) Clarification

A 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 general

The 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 grants

Of 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) Application

Any 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) Notice

The 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) Certification

If 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) Requirement

No 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 funds

The 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) Administration

The 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) Recoupment

The 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) Funding

There 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) Reporting

The Secretary may establish reporting requirements for States receiving a grant under this section in order to provide oversight of grant funds.

(i) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

(2) Short-time compensation program

The term "short-time compensation program" has the meaning given such term in section 3306(v) of title 26.

(3) State; State agency; State law

The 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2110, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 331.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (i)(3), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out in a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

§9029. Assistance and guidance in implementing programs

(a) In general

In 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 guidance

The model language and guidance developed under subsection (a) shall allow sufficient flexibility by States and participating employers while ensuring accountability and program integrity.

(c) Consultation

In 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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2111, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 333.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of section 2111 of Pub. L. 116–136. Subsec. (d) of section 2111 of Pub. L. 116–136 repealed provisions formerly set out as a note under section 3306 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

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

(a) No waiting week

With 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 regulations

The Railroad Retirement Board may prescribe any operating instructions or regulations necessary to carry out this section.

(c) Funding

Out 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 period

For 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2112, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 333; Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §234(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1958; Pub. L. 117–2, title II, §2903(a), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 50.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–2 substituted "September 6, 2021" for "March 14, 2021".

2020—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted "March 14, 2021" for "December 31, 2020".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Regulations

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §234(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1959, provided that: "The Railroad Retirement Board may prescribe any operating instructions or regulations necessary to carry out this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section]."

Clarification on Authority To Use Funds

Pub. L. 117–2, title II, §2903(b), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 50, provided that: "Funds appropriated under section 2112(c) of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9030(c)) shall be available to cover the cost of additional benefits payable due to section 2112(a) of such Act by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] as well as to cover the cost of such benefits payable due to such section 2112(a) as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 11, 2021]."

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §234(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1959, provided that: "Funds appropriated under section 2112(c) of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9030(c)) shall be available to cover the cost of additional benefits payable due to section 2112(a) of such Act [15 U.S.C. 9030(a)] by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] as well as to cover the cost of such benefits payable due to such section 2112(a) as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020]."

§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.) ¹ that are related to the provisions of, and amendments made by, this subtitle, to remain available without fiscal year limitation.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2115, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 334.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 95–452, Oct. 12, 1978, 92 Stat. 1101, which was set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and was substantially repealed and restated in chapter 4 (§401 et seq.) of Title 5 by Pub. L. 117–286, §§3(b), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4206, 4361. For disposition of sections of the Act into chapter 4 of Title 5, see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of Title 5.

This subtitle, referred to in text, is subtitle A (§2101 et seq.) of title II of div. A of Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 313, known as the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act. For complete classification of subtitle A to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§9032. Implementation

(a) Non-application of the Paperwork Reduction Act

Chapter 35 of title 44 (commonly referred to as the "Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995"),¹ shall not apply to the provisions of, and the amendments made by, this subtitle.

(b) Operating instructions or other guidance

Notwithstanding 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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2116, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 335.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subtitle, referred to in text, is subtitle A (§2101 et seq.) of title II of div. A of Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 313, known as the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act. For complete classification of subtitle A to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables.

¹ So in original.

§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.

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2117, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §251(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1961.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This subtitle, referred to in text, is subtitle A (§2101 et seq.) of title II of div. A of Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 313, known as the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act. For complete classification of subtitle A to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title II, §251(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1961, provided that: "The requirements imposed by this section [enacting this section] shall take effect 30 days from the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2020]."

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

(a) In general

In 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 funds

Amounts 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 territories

As 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).

(Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II, §2118, as added Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, §9032, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 121.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subtitle A of title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, referred to in subsec. (a), is subtitle A (§§9011–9042) of title IX of Pub. L. 117–2, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 118. For complete classification of subtitle A to the Code, see Tables.