UI Policy and Performance Memos

UIPP 20.12 discusses Availability and Suitable Work Issues- Caregiver Responsibilities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Monica Halas has prepared a memo background memo explaining the policy.

To provide guidance to DUA staff regarding Emergency Regulations that were filed to establish procedures and interpret the provisions of G.L. 151A to alleviate hardship caused by COVID-19.

The regulations make several changes for the purposes of providingunemployment benefits to as many people as possible who have been affected. The regulations have been implemented immediately as a result of the hardshipthat COVID-19 may cause in workers and employers. Discusses standby status,…

Discussing standby status, suitable work and good cause for missing deadlines dues to COVID-19.

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has provided guidance to state workforce agencies regarding unemployment eligibility for claimants that are affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVD-10.) The following information provides guidance with respect to potential…

Policy memo outlining eligibility of workers affected by Covid, including illustrations of common scenarios involving quarantine and potential exposure.

To provide updated guidance on reasonable attempts to obtain the material facts from the parties to a disputed UI benefit claim.

For claims effective on and after Sunday, January 7, 2018, the new minimum base period wage requirement for Unemployment Insurance eligibility is $4,700. 

To discuss the concept of 'reasonable assurance' as it applies to claims based on services performed for, and wages earned from, an educational institution as set forth in G.L. c. 151A, §28A. 

The UI Policy and Performance Department is responsible for assisting in the UI claims process for former EOLWD employees as well as issuing determinations on the following types of disputed unemployment claims:    Redeterminations High Profile Claims Plant Closings Domestic Violence 

To provide updated guidance on reasonable attempts to obtain the material facts from the parties to a disputed UI benefit claim. 

To provide guidance on whether services provided while working as part of a workrelease program at a Department of Correction facility constitutes employment for the purposes of Chapter 151A and whether the wages earned in the work release program can be used to establish a UI benefit claim. 

To provide guidance on the implementation of a time limit on requests for replacement UI payments.  

To provide guidance to DUA staff regarding the annual issuance of tax related information pertaining to the amount of unemployment insurance compensation received for the previous year.

For claims effective on and after Sunday, January 3, 2016, the new minimum base period wage requirement for Unemployment Insurance eligibility is $3,900.  The current minimum base period wage requirement is $3,500.  Chapter 151A, §24(a) requires the minimum base period wage requirement for…

To provide guidance on the part time availability language in 430 CMR 4.45,  which allows claimants to limit their availability for work in the benefit year to  part time employment and to update the memorandum issued by UI Policy and  Performance on July 9, 2009 entitled “Part-Time Availability.” 

The DUA Research Department has provided notification that the maximum UI weekly benefit amount to be paid to any individual whose benefit year commences on or after the first Sunday in October 2015 and prior to the first Sunday in October 2016 will be $722.00. This rate will become effective for…

To provide guidance on the distinction between discharge for testing positive for less than an ounce of marijuana and discharge for misconduct  for using marijuana in the workplace in deliberate disregard of the employing unit’s interest. 

To provide an overview of the Treasury Offset Program that allows states to intercept and apply Federal income tax refunds to unemployment compensation debts. 

 To provide guidance on how to properly determine:   whether a claimant was at fault in connection with the receipt of erroneously paid unemployment benefits; whether the benefits were paid ‚because of such individual’s failure knowingly to furnish accurate information concerning any material…

To clarify the applicability of the availability requirements of G. L. c. 151A, § 24 (b) for enrollees in training programs approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (formerly, the Division of Apprentice Training) as well as union members attending required skills enhancement training. 

To provide guidance on how to properly understand the statutory requirement that the Unemployment Insurance Law “shall be construed liberally in aid of its purpose, which purpose is to lighten the burden which now falls on the unemployed worker and his family,” G. L. c. 151A, § 74, and to provide…

To discuss the concept of 'reasonable assurance' as it applies to claims based on services performed for, and wages earned from, an educational institution as set forth in G.L. c. 151A, §28A. 

To provide clarification regarding re-qualifying for benefits after a disqualifying separation.

To provide guidance to DUA staff regarding the annual issuance of tax related information pertaining to the amount of unemployment insurance compensation received for the previous year. 

As part of the settlement in the Luciano language access litigation, DUA agreed to promulgate good cause sub-regulatory guidance.  The memo is intended to insure that LEP claimants have equal access to unemployment insurance benefits.   In addition to covering DUA’s obligations…