In addition to providing the $300 supplement, lawmakers expanded benefits to freelancers, the self-employed, independent contractors and certain people affected by the pandemic and extended the duration of payments for those in the regular state unemployment program.
“There are nearly 60% more jobs open (and listed) in Texas today than there was in February 2020, the month before the Pandemic hit Texas,” he asserted, without counting the many jobs in industries typically not listed such construction and restaurant service.
Abbott’s office also alleged high levels of unemployment fraud among the filed claims, asserting that “TWC estimates that nearly 18% of all claims for unemployment benefits during the pandemic are confirmed or suspected to be fraudulent, which totals more than 800,000 claims, worth as much as $10.4 billion, if all claims had been paid.”
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that the Hoosier State will end its participation in the pandemic unemployment programs on June 19, according to a release from the governor’s office.
“There are help wanted signs posted all over Indiana, and while our economy took a hit last year, it is roaring like an Indy 500 race car engine now,” Holcomb said. “I am hearing from multiple sector employers that they want and need to hire more Hoosiers to grow.”
Noting that Indiana’s unemployment rate, which jumped to more than 17% at the height of the pandemic, has recovered to 3.9%, Holcomb added that “eliminating these pandemic programs will not be a silver bullet for employers to find employees, but we currently have about 116,000 available jobs in the state that need filled now.”
In Oklahoma, pandemic payments will end on June 26, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Monday. But the first 20,000 residents collecting unemployment benefits who return to work will receive a $1,200 bonus. They must complete six consecutive weeks of employment of at least 32 hours a week with the same employer to qualify.
Montana and Arizona, which announced earlier this month that they would terminate benefits early, are also offering return-to-work bonuses.
Cutting benefits may not solve worker shortage
Experts, however, argue that these funds don’t only help the jobless but also assist local businesses and economies because those out of work are able to continue spending on groceries, housing costs and other items. And many out-of-work Americans can’t return to the workforce because of child care issues or health concerns.
Democrats, meanwhile, decried the moves by the GOP governors.
“Many are losing everything, and their incomes will be zero,” Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said of those in the programs that expand benefits to more Americans and lengthen the duration of state benefits.
Those collecting regular state benefits, which typically last 26 weeks, will continue to receive payments but will not get the $300 supplement.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, announced Monday that the state will provide a $1,000 return-to-work bonus to 10,000 long-term unemployed residents who land full-time jobs and work for at least eight weeks.
However, Connecticut is not terminating pandemic unemployment benefits — though, like in other states, it will use federal funds to pay the bonuses.
“This is the latest tool in our toolbox to maximize our state’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” Lamont said.
This story has been updated with additional details.