Here’s why it’s crazy to ask states to reprogram the #Savethe600 #PUC benefit, to a maximum of 70 percent of wages. A thread: nytimes.com/2020/07/26/us/…
States got the $600/week out relatively quickly because it was a flat amount and they can run it on top of all others who are paid.
By contrast, other CARES Act programs -- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation -- were delayed for weeks, even months.
Most states use mainframe systems that are being held together by gum and shoestrings, and another complicated programming might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Only 10 states use an average weekly wage to calculate #unemployment benefits, the others use total wages and come out of a black box with a weekly benefit amount. Check out page 3-10: oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/u…
So, they’ll have to start from scratch with a daisy chain from total wages reported, divided by some agreed upon denominator - regular benefit from a black box. It’s no wonder that the National Association representing states told Congress it would take months.
Pandemic Unemployment Compensation is the single most effective part of the CARES Act. There’s no need to break it.
