The legislature has granted final approval to a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo requiring the state to provide advance notice and assistance to struggling out-of-work residents when their unemployment benefits are about to expire.
“This is an alarm bell measure to make sure struggling individuals are aware that their benefits are about to run out so they can either accelerate their job hunts or seek other available assistance to help them and their families get by,” added DeAngelo.
The bill (A-3450/S-2380) would require the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development to provide four weeks written notice prior to the date of final exhaustion of all UI benefits for an individual, including any state or federal extension of the UI benefits.
The bill would also require that the notification include a referral for services from the Department of Human Services and any other appropriate state agency to counsel and assist the individual to obtain any reDests which may be available for the individual and dependents of the individual, including housing and health coverage assistance.
The measure was approved by a vote of 75 to 2 in the Assembly and 34 to 0 in the Senate. It now awaits the Governor’s signature.