PROVIDENCE – Changes to state unemployment benefits that let recipients earn more money while still getting benefits won approval in the House on Wednesday.
The House’s 69-3 vote on the bill sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, D-South Kingstown, comes a day after the Senate approved an identical piece of companion legislation.
With the backing from lawmakers in both chambers and already-expressed support from Gov. Daniel J. McKee, the changes are on track to take effect May 23, the same day the R.I. Department of Labor and Training will reinstate work-search requirements for unemployment benefit recipients.
Together, these efforts are intended to relieve some of the hiring woes expressed by many small-business owners, while incentivizing those on unemployment to look for or go back to work, at least part time.
The bill approved on Wednesday lets unemployment benefit recipients earn up to 150% of their weekly benefits while still qualifying for state and federal unemployment aid – a 50% increase over the current cap on employment earnings. The bill also increases the amount workers can make without being deducted from their weekly benefits allotment from 20% of benefits to 50%.
The bill was drafted with input from DLT Director Matthew Weldon, who said it will benefit workers and employers while potentially decreasing the drain on the state’s unemployment trust fund. A number of business groups and small businesses also backed the bill in written and oral testimony to both chambers in recent weeks.
