DES MOINES, IA – Today Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Iowa will no longer participate in the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits programs effective June 12.
“Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs initially provided displaced Iowans with crucial assistance when the pandemic began,” said Gov. Reynolds. “But now that our businesses and schools have reopened, these payments are discouraging people from returning to work. Our unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, vaccines are available to anyone who wants one, and we have more jobs available than unemployed people.”
The week ending June 12, 2021 will be the last week that the following federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs are available in Iowa:
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
- Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)
Later this morning former Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge released the following statement on Governor Reynolds refusal of additional pandemic-related federal unemployment aid:
“Partnering across the aisle and with every level of government is what we all need, but Governor Kim Reynolds is all too eager to refuse federal aid that benefits Iowa taxpayers. Iowans are working hard to take care of their families and get through the pandemic, but Reynolds is giving them as little help as possible—demanding that schools open without federal aid for contact tracing and now attempting to bully Iowans back to work.”
“Refusing federal funds won’t fill tens of thousands of jobs, but it will stop that money from going to Iowa businesses.”
In addition to the information included in a memorandum to Governor Reynolds, Iowa Workforce Development will provide further details in conjunction with this announcement.
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