(Office of the Governor) — The CNMI Department of Labor announces that the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration has updated previous guidance and expanded eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to include three Covid-19 related reasons, most especially individuals experiencing a reduction of hours or a temporary or permanent layoff.
On February 25, 2021, USDOL-ETA published the Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 16-20, Change 5. The purpose of the UIPL is to provide states and territories with updated guidance for the PUA program, specifically regarding expanded eligibility provisions authorized under Section 2102(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(kk) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Under the new guidance, USDOL-ETA has expanded PUA eligibility to include three Covid-19 related reasons under which an individual may now self-certify. They are:
1) Individuals who refuse to return to work that is unsafe or to accept an offer of new work that is unsafe
2) Certain individuals providing services to educational institutions or education service agencies; and
3) Individuals experiencing a reduction of hours or a temporary or permanent layoff.
Previous guidance from USDOL-ETA had denied an individual (furloughed, laid off, or on reduced hours) from claiming UI benefits if his/her place of employment was still in operation. Thus, if an employee who was furloughed, laid off or on a reduction of work hours, he or she may only qualify if his place of employment was totally, and not partially, shutdown due to the Covid-19 public health emergency.
Under the new UIPL guidance, if an individual has been furloughed or laid off because the place of employment is partially closed (either permanently or temporarily) or the individual has experienced a reduction in hours, the individual may now self-certify eligibility.
CNMI Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente welcomes the news.
“The decision made by USDOL-ETA to expand the eligibility criteria for PUA, thereby allowing furloughed, laid off or individuals working reduced hours to qualify for PUA is very welcoming news for the CNMI,” said Secretary Benavente.
In a recent letter to acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Al Stewart, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said the previous guidance under UIPL 16-20, Change 4 was “disheartening” for many CNMI residents relying on public benefits. He expressed his appreciation to USDOL for making the much-needed change under UIPL 16-20, Change 5.
“This is great news for the CNMI, after we continued to advocate directly to USDOL for reconsideration of their guidance. Many of our residents have been directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the unprecedented economic situation. We are thankful that our federal partners have updated their guidance to ensure that this much-needed assistance can continue to help our affected families as we continue to do our part to bring back tourism and rebuild our economy,” said Governor Torres.
Individuals who need assistance with their PUA applications are asked to call 322-8870/8871/8872/8873/8874/8876/8877/8878/8879/8880 or
