Extend Unemployment Assistance Act of 2021

To amend the CARES Act to extend certain unemployment compensation provisions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Extend Unemployment Assistance Act of 2021 2. Extension of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (a) In general Section 2102(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9021(c) (1) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), by striking September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively. (b) Increase in number of weeks Section 2102(c)(2) of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9021(c)(2) (1) by striking 79 weeks 100 weeks (2) by striking 79-week period 100-week period (c) Hold harmless for proper administration In the case of an individual who is eligible to receive pandemic unemployment assistance under section 2102 of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9021 15 U.S.C. 9025 3. Extension of emergency unemployment relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations (a) In general Section 903(i)(1)(D) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1103(i)(1)(D) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Increase in reimbursement rate Section 903(i)(1)(B) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1103(i)(1)(B) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 4. Extension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (a) In general Section 2104(e)(2) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9023(e)(2) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Amount Section 2104(b)(3)(A)(ii) of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9023(b)(3)(A)(ii) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 5. Extension of full Federal funding of the first week of compensable regular unemployment for States with no waiting week Section 2105(e)(2) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9024(e)(2) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 6. Extension of emergency State staffing flexibility Section 9015 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is amended by striking September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 7. Extension of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation (a) In general Section 2107(g)(2) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9025(g)(2) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Increase in number of weeks Section 2107(b)(2) of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9025(b)(2) 53 74 (c) Coordination of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation with Extended Compensation Section 2107(a)(5)(B) of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9025(a)(5)(B) or for the week that includes the date of enactment of the Extend Unemployment Assistance Act of 2021 such Act) (d) Special rule for extended compensation Section 2107(a)(8) of such Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9025(a)(8) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 8. Extension of temporary financing of short-time compensation payments in States with programs in law Section 2108(b)(2) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9026(b)(2) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 9. Extension of temporary financing of short-time compensation agreements for States without programs in law Section 2109(d)(2) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9027(d)(2) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 10. Extension of temporary assistance for States with advances Section 1202(b)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1322(b)(10)(A) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 11. Extension of full Federal funding of extended unemployment compensation (a) In general Section 4105 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( 26 U.S.C. 3304 September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply as if included in the enactment of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( Public Law 116–127 12. Additional enhanced benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (a) In general Section 2(a)(5)(A) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act ( 45 U.S.C. 352(a)(5)(A) (1) in the first sentence, by striking September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (2) in the fourth sentence, by striking September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Clarification on authority To use funds Funds appropriated under subparagraph (B) of section 2(a)(5) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act ( 45 U.S.C. 352(a)(5) 13. Extended unemployment benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (a) In general Section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act ( 45 U.S.C. 352(c)(2)(D) (1) in clause (i)— (A) in subclause (I), by striking 330 days 435 days (B) in subclause (II)— (i) by striking 33 consecutive 14-day periods 44 consecutive 14-day periods (ii) by striking 20 consecutive 14-day periods 31 consecutive 14-day periods (2) in clause (ii)— (A) by striking 265 days of unemployment 370 days of unemployment (B) by striking 27 consecutive 14-day periods 37 consecutive 14-day periods (C) by striking 20 consecutive 14-day periods 31 consecutive 14-day periods (3) in clause (iii), by striking September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Clarification on authority To use funds Funds appropriated under the first, second, or third sentence of clause (v) of section 2(c)(2)(D) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act shall be available to cover the cost of additional extended unemployment benefits provided under such section 2(c)(2)(D) by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) as well as to cover the cost of such benefits provided under such section 2(c)(2)(D) as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. 14. Extension of waiver of the 7-day waiting period for benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (a) In general Section 2112(a) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9030(a) September 6, 2021 February 1, 2022 (b) Clarification on authority To use funds Funds appropriated under section 2112(c) of the CARES Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9030(c) 15. Railroad Retirement Board funding In addition to amounts otherwise made available, there are appropriated for fiscal year 2021, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the Railroad Retirement Board, for additional hiring and overtime bonuses as needed to administer the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. 16. Budgetary effects Each Federal payment made to a State as a result of the amendments made by this Act, and any additional benefits paid as a result of such amendments, shall be exempt from any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 17. Effective date Except where otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall apply as if included in the enactment of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136

Summary: Extend Unemployment Assistance Act of 2021 This bill extends pandemic unemployment compensation provisions set to expire on September 6, 2021, until February 1, 2022. Extended provisions include benefits to covered individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or traditional extended benefits, the $300 weekly benefit increase, waiting week benefits, and federal reimbursement of short-time compensation. The bill also increases the maximum duration of compensation from 79 weeks to 100 weeks.