Tennessee Transitions from Federal Pandemic Unemployment Programs

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS IN TENNESSEE

Tennessee’s transition to providing unemployment benefits through only the Tennessee Unemployment Compensation program begins Sunday, July 4, 2021.

Claimants currently eligible for unemployment through the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs will continue to receive benefits through the week ending July 3, 2021.

The additional $300 benefit both state and federal claimants currently receive through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program will continue through the week ending July 3, 2021.

The additional $100 benefit mixed earners receive through the federal Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program will continue through the week ending J­uly 3, 2021.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has resources available for claimants who need to transition back into the workforce by July 3.

Below are key points for claimants to consider as these changes take place within Tennessee’s unemployment system.

  • Claimants pending a decision on a claim filed before July 3 will receive retroactive payments for all qualified weeks if deemed eligible for benefits.
  • If required, claimants need to continue providing three weekly job searches to remain eligible for benefits.
  • Claimants are required to accept a suitable offer of work or risk losing unemployment benefits. If a claimant refuses an offer of suitable work, they may be required to pay back benefits.
  • Tennessee employers currently have over 250,000 jobs posted on www.Jobs4TN.gov.
  • Career Specialists at more than 80 American Job Centers across Tennessee can work with job seekers to identify new employment opportunities. Find your local job center here: https://bit.ly/3tAZZo4
  • Career Specialists can also work to identify possible training programs that can help an individual change their career pathway or enter an apprenticeship program so they can earn a competitive wage, while they learn a new trade.
  • The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center, www.TNVirtualAJC.com, allows Tennesseans to research different programs that can help remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter Tennessee’s workforce. This can include child care, uniforms, or gas money.
  • Claimants have access to free online training courses through the state’s partnership with Coursera. There are over 4,000 courses from 200 businesses and universities that can prepare an individual to earn a certificate in many programs. www.tn.gov/workforce/coursera
  • Federal claimants receiving unemployment benefits through a medical exemption provided by the PUA program can learn how to enroll for Social Security disability benefits by going online or calling: www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/ or 1-800-772-1213.