Indiana Ending Federal Unemployment Benefits June 19; Lawsuit Challenges Decision

Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 10:19 AM

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Marion County Superior Court.

Shutterstock photo.

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana is scheduled to end its participation in all federally funded pandemic unemployment insurance programs on June 19.

However, a lawsuit filed on Tuesday challenges Governor Holcomb’s decision to end $300 weekly add-on to those receiving unemployment insurance.

The lawsuit was filed by two legal organizations in Marion County Superior Court, according to the Associated Press.

When the governor announced his decision in May, he stressed that “there are help wanted signs posted all over Indiana.” The state has rebounded nicely from COVID-19 with the state jobless rate currently at 3.9 percent.

“Eliminating these pandemic programs will not be a silver bullet for employers to find employees, but we currently have about 116,000 available jobs in the state that need filled now,” said Holcomb.

The lawsuit says the governor’s actions will prematurely impact thousands of Hoosiers prior to the expanded unemployment benefits expiration date on September 6.

The governor’s office argues that unemployment insurance claimants were timely notified by the Department of Workforce Development about the discontinuation of federal pandemic benefits.

Gov. Holcomb Reinstates Work-Search Requirement To Receive Unemployment Benefits