Massachusetts announces reinstatement of unemployment work search requirements

Boston, MA — The Baker-Polito Administration announced Thursday that work search requirements will be reinstated for all regular Unemployment Insurance claimants effective the week of June 15, 2021. This requirement applies to UI claimants receiving Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and those on Extended Benefits. Massachusetts temporarily suspended these work-search requirements in March 2020, following updated federal guidance at the outset of the pandemic.

The Commonwealth is set to lift all COVID-19 restrictions and complete the reopening process on May 29, 2021. The statewide COVID-19 state of emergency will terminate on June 15, 2021. With more than 200,000 jobs at Massachusetts employers advertised in the MassHire JobQuest, claimants are encouraged to learn more about finding employment opportunities through tools like the MassHire Career Centers.

The reinstatement of the work search requirement for UI claimants means that beginning with the benefit week of June 13, 2021 through June 19, 2021, claimants must attest each week that they are making at least three work-search activities per week and provide proof of work search activity to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if requested. These requirements will be necessary to maintain eligibility for UI benefits. Examples of valid work-search activities include, but are not limited to:

1. Completing a job application in person or online with employers who reasonably may be expected to have an opening for suitable work.
2. Registering for work and reemployment services with a local Mass Hire Career Center
3. Using other job search activities, such as reviewing job listings on the internet, newspapers or professional journals, contacting professional associations, and networking with colleagues or friends.

Most claimants will be entitled to continue to receive partial or reduced UI benefits—and the full amount of the special COVID-related $300 weekly stipend offered through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program—even as they return to employment. Claimants who report wages from new employment will have their regular UI weekly benefit proportionately reduced to offset new wages, but in most circumstances claimants will remain eligible for the $300 weekly stipend until their regular wages exceed 133 percent of their regular weekly benefit amount (calculated without including the $300 weekly stipend). The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program will end in the first week of September.

Under the work search requirements, claimants will need to keep a detailed written log of their work search activities. Claimants may also be called upon to attend a Career Center related activity and will be required to bring printed completed copies of their work search activity logs. Claimants may also be asked to provide their work search information to DUA upon request and must keep proof of their work search documents for one year after they stop requesting benefits. Claimants should not mail the work search logs to DUA unless requested.

Effective the week of June 15, regular UI claimants will not be able to cite COVID-related reasons to waive work search requirements and must accept suitable employment, if offered. Refusing work because a UI claimant would rather collect more money in unemployment benefits is not reasonable in any circumstances and is considered fraud. Employers may report any furloughed employees who refuse to come back to work by emailing UIReturntowork@detma.org.