What flexibility is there for states to offer unemployment insurance now to individuals that have lost their job or are unable to work due to COVID-19 crisis?

DOL has issued guidance that can be found here, which explains flexibility states have to provide unemployment benefits when:

• An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
• An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
• An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.

To find out details on your state’s unemployment insurance program, visit DOL’s website here.

Also, you can find a list of state-specific FAQ’s about unemployment insurance and COVID-19 here.