Thread by @ArthurDelaneyHP

NEWS: States have apparently found a way to pay federal unemployment benefits for the last week of December even though Trump signed the bill after the 26th, start date for the final unemployment benefits week.

Here's NJ:

https://twitter.com/NJLaborDept/status/1343652293951049728

Bill text says provisions for an extra $300 and a continuation of gig worker and long-term benefits apply "to weeks of unemployment beginning after December 26, 2020 (or, if later, the date on which such agreement is entered into), and ending on or before March 14, 2021.’’

"Agreement" refers to agreement between state workforce agencies and the US DOL to pay federal benefits.

Per @EvermoreMichele of @NelpNews, states and USDOL have decided that the original CARES Act agreements from earlier this year will suffice.

So people might still miss a week of benefits while states restart these lapsed federal programs, but it looks like they'll get paid back, including for the extra $300, and get the full 11 weeks of benefits provided by the new law, instead of just 10.

Like the president's "lost wages assistance" program this seems a bit dubious but uh, let's not fuss

USDOL told @NivElis this morning: "As states are implementing these new provisions as quickly as possible, the Department does not anticipate that eligible claimants will miss a week of benefits due to the timing of the law’s enactment"

thehill.com/policy/finance…

Sen Ron Wyden: “The Labor Department has told states they are able to pay all benefits for the week of December 27. I greatly appreciate the Labor Department taking advantage of available flexibilities as it was urged to do.”

“Now, Donald Trump’s needless delay in signing the relief bill still means unnecessary administrative headaches and late payments, but workers will not lose income.”