According to our news partners at News 7 KWWL. Governor Kim Reynolds is ending the Hawkeye State's participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs because she says the payments discourage people from returning to work.

The Governor made the announcement on Tuesday, citing new measures to address Iowa's severe workforce shortage. Reynolds said "Our unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, vaccines are available to anyone who wants one, and we have more jobs available than unemployed people.”

Iowa will continue to provide regular state unemployment insurance benefits to those who are eligible under state code.

“Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs initially provided displaced Iowans with crucial assistance when the pandemic began,” said Gov. Reynolds. “But now that our businesses and schools have reopened, these payments are discouraging people from returning to work.

The week ending June 12, 2021, will be the last week that the following federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs are available in Iowa:

  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

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