The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-06-02
Analysis of the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BILL
By the NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD
and the Social Security Ne,


fit rights before they were re-en
ployed Furthermore, claimants wit
small weekly benefit amounts, i.e., tn
low-paid workers, exhausted thei
rights more frequently than did claim
ants with higher weekly benefit rates
Finally, separate state unemploy
ment systems are inconsistent wit
the national character of the labo
market. Unemployment, attendan
upon national depressions and crises
is the product of forces entirely be
yond the control of individual states
and is national problem. The war
| time needs of our nation require tn,
mobilization and re-allocation of avail
able manpower on national scale
Clearly anticipated postwar migra
ton and relocation of workers ant
their families require a national solu
ton for the problems of postwar un
employment compensation.
The Social Security Board has
drawn the necessary conclusion:
Nothing less than a national uni
formly operated employment serv-
ice, sustained by an adequate and
soundly financed federal unemploy-
ment insurance system, will meet
the needs of the period immediate
ly following the war and the longer
range detectives of social security"
The Proposals for Unemployment
Insurance
The bill would substitute a single
federal system in the place of the ex-
listing 81 systems. 1t provides nation
ally uniform eligibility qualifications
and benefits. 1t extends coverage to
include millions now excluded, and
makes numerous other reforms in un-
protection.
Temporary disability benefits are
granted by the bill in conjunction with
the unemployment insurance system,
with the same provision for coverage
and benefits.
1. Coverage: Coverage is extended
to include agricultural workers, do
nestle workers, employees of non
profit organizations, and employees of
small firms employing one or more
ire covered. Substantially the entire
population, outside of govern
nent employees and self-employed |
persons, are thus protected This ex-
ension of coverage would furnish I'M
insurance protection to
Millions of additional persons, who are
low without such benefits.
2. Eligibility: Any covered individ-
al is eligible to receive unemploy-
nent benefits if he Is "able to work"
nd is available for work and has
egistered for work, and has been
Unemployed for waiting period of
ne week within the benefit year, and
as, during his eligibility period re-
eived wages of not less than $3.50 or
OF less than $50 for each of two
alendar quarters. He is eligible for
disability benefits on GER
fication of disability after continu-
us waiting period of the same length
nd subject to the same minimum
arnings eligibility requirements.
3. Benefits: There is a basic week
: benefit for both unemployment and
smporary disability insurance of 50%o |
the weekly wage up to S12, plus
20 of any excess over $12, with one
alf of this basic rate for each de-
sndent, the total to be not over 500
the weekly wage, or $50, whichever
less. On weekly wage of $50, the /
asic weekly benefit would thus be
0.50, and worker with a wife and
lie child would receive $21.
The duration of benefits is fixed at
weeks, although unemployment
,nefits (but not temporary disability
,nefits) may be increased to So
eeks in year following the deter
nation of the adequacy of the fund
provide for such increase in dura-
IN.
4. Waiting Period and Disqualified
IN: There is waiting period of one
eek, although this is increased to
( weeks in the case of voluntary
it," or discharge for misconduct, or
lure to apply and register for work,
accept suitable employment.
There is complete disqualification
lere the unemployment is due to
Loppage of work because of a
Dor dispute.
). Partial Unemployment Benefits:
lie bill provides for partial unem-
,yment benefits. A person, who is
lployed for less than full time
rk" during any week and whose
ges for such work are less than