Governor announces statewide economic recovery plan

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Georgia’s plan for re-employment and economic recovery Thursday. To address work force shortages and boost a full economic recovery, state Labor officials plan to end Georgia’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs, effective June 26.

Over the next several weeks, state officials will provide resources for job search support, education and training opportunities, child care and transportation services, and safe work place initiatives for workers, families and employers.

“During truly unprecedented times, hard-working Georgians have stayed resilient and businesses of all sizes have quickly adapted to an unpredictable environment,” Kemp said in a news release. “Even in the middle of a global pandemic, job growth and economic development in Georgia remained strong – including an unemployment rate below the national average.

“To build on our momentum, accelerate a full economic recovery, and get more Georgians back to work in good-paying jobs, our state will end its participation in the federal COVID-19 unemployment programs, effective June 26. As we emerge from this pandemic, Georgians deserve to get back to normal – and today’s announced economic recovery plan will help more employees and businesses across our state do so.”

In accordance with Butler’s recommendations, effective June 26, Georgia will no longer participate in the following federal programs:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which provides for an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation;

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides benefits for those who would not usually qualify, such as the self-employed, gig workers, and part-time workers;

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provides for an extension of benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted;

• Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation, which provides an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings.

All payments under any of these federal programs will be processed and issued to eligible claimants through June 26. Once Georgia opts out of the federal programs, the Department of Labor will continue offering regular state unemployment insurance benefits to eligible Georgians. The maximum weekly benefit in the state is $365.

“GDOL has dispersed almost $22 billion in the past 14 months to support families in this crisis, paying mortgages, electric bills, and grocery tabs when Georgians were in greatest need,” Butler said. “It is critical for us to support our economy and local businesses by providing solutions to the roadblocks many Georgians have faced when returning to work. Right now, the state has a historic number of jobs listed on Employ Georgia. We are seeing some of the highest pay scales with enhanced benefits and signing bonuses.”

GDOL provides extensive online support to job seekers looking to rejoin the work force. Claimants receive access to Employ Georgia’s over 251,000 job listings, resume assistance, career counseling, skills testing, job fair information, job training services, and accessibility and special accommodations for people with disabilities and veterans transitioning back into the workplace.

File Photo