CARES Act | Expansion Of Unemployment Insurance

[UPDATED April 2, 2020] On March 27, 2020 the President signed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). At nearly 900 pages, the CARES Act is too broad to summarize all of the potentially pertinent provisions for every business and individual, and we expect further guidance from the Federal government on these programs in the near future. Therefore, the following is not an exhaustive summary and will be updated as we learn more. To review the full text of the portions of the CARES Act summarized below, or the many other provisions, please see the full text of the bill as signed into law.  

The following is a summary of the expanded unemployment insurance benefits outlined in the CARES Act: 

The CARES Act extends Unemployment Insurance benefits by 13 weeks, and includes provisions for an additional $600 per week, with expanded eligibility for the self-employed, gig workers and contractors. Unemployment Insurance Programs are administered on a state-by-state basis, and more state-specific guidance is expected, but the U.S. House of Representatives Committee On Ways And Means has issued this FAQ.

For help navigating unemployment insurance issues in your state, please contact our Labor and Employment Team.