Back to Work Bonus Act

To incentivize American workers to seek and accept jobs, to aid the economic recovery by converting Federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation into back to work bonuses, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Back to Work Bonus Act 2. Back to work bonuses (a) In general Section 2104(b) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9023(b) (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Back-to-work bonuses (A) In general Any agreement under this section may also provide that the State agency of the State may make a lump sum payment to each individual who— (i) was eligible for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under paragraph (1) for— (I) any week beginning after the date of enactment of the Back to Work Bonus Act (II) at least 4 weeks immediately preceding the week under clause (I); (ii) is no longer eligible for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation under paragraph (1) (as determined by the State), as a result of earnings due to commencing employment with an employer by whom the individual has not been employed during the preceding 6 months; and (iii) as verified by the individual’s employer pursuant to subparagraph (E)— (I) has been employed by a non-governmental employer throughout the qualifying period; and (II) remains employed with an intent to continue such employment. (B) Amount A payment made to an individual under this paragraph shall be paid in a lump sum $900. (C) Qualifying period For purposes of this paragraph, the term qualifying period (i) beginning on the date the individual commenced employment as described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and (ii) extending at least 4 consecutive weeks from such date. (D) Duration A lump-sum payment may not be made to any individual under this paragraph with respect to a qualifying period beginning on or after August 14, 2021. (E) Employer verification required for lump-sum payment Before making a lump-sum payment to an individual pursuant to this paragraph, a State agency shall require verification from the individual’s employer— (i) of the individual’s employment status; (ii) of the wages paid to the individual during the applicable qualifying period; and (iii) of the hours worked by the individual during the qualifying period. (F) Limitation A State may not provide more than 1 lump-sum payment under this paragraph to an individual. (G) Special rule A payment made pursuant to an agreement under this paragraph shall not be considered to violate the withdrawal requirements of section 303(a)(5) or section 3304(a)(4) . (b) Conforming amendments Section 2104 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9023 (1) in subsections (d) and (f), by inserting , payments under subsection (b)(4) Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (2) in subsection (g)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (3) the purposes of the preceding provisions of this section, as such provisions apply with respect to payments under subsection (b)(4), shall be applied with respect to unemployment benefits described in subsection (i)(2) to the same extent and in the same manner as if those benefits were regular compensation. . 3. Sunsetting Federal pandemic unemployment compensation Section 2104(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9023(b)(3)(A)(ii) September 6, 2021 the date of enactment of the Back to Work Bonus Act 4. Strengthening work search requirements (a) Modifying pandemic unemployment assistance Section 2102(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9021(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I) (aa) the individual has an active infection with COVID–19; (bb) the individual received an order from a physician to quarantine due to exposure to COVID–19; or (cc) the individual is caring for a family member or a member of the individual’s household described in items (aa) or (bb); or . (b) Conforming amendments Section 2102(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9021(c) (1) inserting at the end of paragraph (6) the following: A State shall require proof of active infection or quarantine order required by subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii)(I). (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively. (c) Modifying Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Section 2107(a)(7) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9025(a)(7) (B) Flexibility (i) Notwithstanding the requirements under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (2)(D), a State may provide flexibility in meeting such requirements in case of individuals unable to search for work because— (I) the individual has an active infection with COVID–19; (II) the individual received an order from a physician to quarantine due to exposure to COVID–19; or (III) the individual is caring for a family member or a member of the individual’s household described in subclause (I) or (II). (ii) Prior to providing flexibility under this subparagraph, a State shall require proof of active infection or quarantine order required by subclause (I) or (II). .

Summary: Back to Work Bonus Act This bill eliminates Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, provides for direct payments to individuals who begin work with a new employer, and otherwise addresses COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Specifically, the bill allows states to provide a direct payment to individuals who are eligible for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (an additional payment for those already receiving a weekly unemployment benefit) but who lose that eligibility subsequent to the bill's enactment due to commencing employment with a new employer. An individual must continue employment with the new employer for at least 4 weeks to be eligible for the $900 payment under the bill. This bonus payment is only available for nongovernmental employment commencing prior to August 14, 2021. Payments made by states under the bill are eligible for 100% federal reimbursement in the same manner as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. The bill also ends Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation upon enactment. Currently, it is set to end September 6, 2021. Finally, the bill modifies work search requirements for claimants to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance so that an individual is excused from current availability or ability to work requirements for reasons related to COVID-19 only if the individual (1) has an active COVID-19 infection, (2) is ordered quarantined, or (3) has caregiving duties due to a COVID-19 infection or quarantine. (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is a temporary federal program for individuals who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment benefits and are unemployed, partially employed, or unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.)