Kemp and State Labor Commissioner to end federal unemployment programs

ATLANTA – Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler outlined a plan to combat the labor shortage and jumpstart Georgia’s economic recovery.

Federal pandemic unemployment programs will end on Saturday, June 26, 2021. State officials will provide resources for job search support, education and training opportunities, childcare and transportation services, and safe workplace initiatives for workers, families, and employers leading up to then.

“GDOL has dispersed almost $22 billion in the past fourteen months to support families in this crisis, paying mortgages, electric bills, and grocery tabs when Georgians were in greatest need. It is critical for us to support our economy and local businesses by providing solutions to the roadblocks many Georgians have faced when returning to work,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

Georgians on Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) will no longer receive the weekly $300 payments.

Other programs ending are:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for those in the gig economy, part-time, or self-employed.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) offers an extension of benefits once regular benefits are exhausted.

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) provides an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings.

The payments will be processed through June 26, 2021 Regular state unemployment will continue for eligible Georgians. The maximum weekly benefit is $365.

According to Butler, the Employ Georgia jobs platform has a record number of employment opportunities.

“During truly unprecedented times, hardworking Georgians have stayed resilient and businesses of all sizes have quickly adapted to an unpredictable environment,” said Governor Kemp. “Even in the middle of a global pandemic, job growth and economic development in Georgia remained strong – including an unemployment rate below the national average.”

Earlier in the week, Majority Whip and State Senator Steve Gooch (R-51) sent a letter to the Governor asking Kemp to end the federal unemployment programs. Several other states have taken similar measures as small businesses and restaurants continue to experience a labor shortage.