MONTGOMERY – New unemployment compensation claims filed in 2020 will be subject to the newly enacted Unemployment Reduction Act, which was passed by the Alabama State Legislature in 2019.
Under the new law, unemployment benefits will be lowered from a maximum of 26 weeks to a variable rate of 14-20 weeks, based on the state’s unemployment rate.
If the state’s annually adjusted unemployment rate is 6.5% or below, the maximum number of weeks allowed will be 14, with one week added for every 0.5% increase, capping at 20 weeks when the state’s average unemployment rate equals or exceeds 9.5%.
Additionally, the law provides for an additional five-week extension for claimants who enroll and make progress in an ADOL approved training program.
Approved training for 2020 includes:
- Any GED Training Program
- Any training provided through the Alabama Career Center System
- Any Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate Degree Program
- Any vocational trade or certificate program
Claimants will be auto-mailed an application for these weeks upon exhaustion of regular benefits. The additional weeks will be added once the claimant certifies which training they are participating in and signs the application.
The maximum weekly benefit amount will increase to $275 from $265, for those who qualify.
*Claims that were filed prior to January 1, 2020 will NOT be affected.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Labor/Tara Hutchison
