Strengthening Our Communities: Unemployment Insurance

by Julie Robinson - June 24, 2020

Community, Professional and Economic Development staff are sharing educational information with Arkansans on public radio through KUAR. The following post recently aired on KUAR, although some edits have been made for airtime.

Listen on KUAR

Arkansas and the nation has seen a historic increase in weekly Unemployment Insurance claims recently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployment Insurance payments act as an important safety net for employees who may use some of this money to purchase items at local businesses which prevent even larger declines in the local economy. This benefit is a program provided through federal and state agencies, but states have flexibility in how it is administered.

The system of state and federal unemployment insurance is changing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers who wouldn't typically qualify may now be covered under the expanded federal unemployment benefits.

Changes at the state level are also making it easier for workers to access these benefits quickly. To learn more, visit uaex.uada.edu/covid19.