On March 16, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order to ensure workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have full access to unemployment benefits. The executive order makes applicants eligible for unemployment benefits if:
- A healthcare professional or health authority recommended or ordered them to avoid contact with others.
- They have been ordered not to come to their workplace due to an outbreak of a communicable disease.
- They have received notification from a school district, daycare, or other childcare provider, that either classes are canceled or the applicant’s ordinary childcare is unavailable, provided that the applicant made reasonable effort to obtain other childcare and requested time off or other accommodation from the employer and no reasonable accommodation was available.
Important Notes regarding the Governor’s Executive Order:
- The state has waived the 1-week waiting period for Unemployment claims to expedite payment of benefits
- Although the state is still requiring that work search requirements be filled by claimants, it is now conditional in that claimants must look for suitable work that does not pose a risk to your health or the health of others. If claimants have only been laid off temporarily, they can meet work search requirements by staying in contact with their current employer
- The state is waiving the ordinary five-week benefit limitation for business owners who have become unemployed as a result of COVID-19.
- Taxpaying employers will also be relieved of benefit charges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The employer phone system for the state is not working those resources have been moved to answering questions from the displaced workers.
- The state has provided FAQs here: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=423352#/detail/appId/1/id/423352
For more information, go here: https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp
