Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 71 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY (§§ 71-1-1 — 71-17-7) › Chapter 5 - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (§§ 71-5-1 — 71-5-547) › Article 11 - BENEFITS (§§ 71-5-501 — 71-5-547) › Section 71-5-541 - [Repealed effective 7/1/2027] Construction

A.
(1)
In the administration of this chapter, the department shall cooperate with the Department of Labor to the fullest extent consistent with the provisions of this chapter and shall take such action, through the adoption of appropriate rules, regulations, administrative methods and standards, as may be necessary to secure to this state and its citizens all advantages available under the provisions of the Social Security Act that relate to unemployment compensation, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act and the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, all as amended.
(2)
In the administration of the provisions of this section, which are enacted to conform with the requirements of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, as amended, the department shall take such actions as may be necessary:
(a)
To ensure that the provisions are so interpreted and applied as to meet the requirements of such federal act as interpreted by the United States Department of Labor; and
(b)
To secure to this state the full reimbursement of the federal share of extended benefits paid under this chapter that are reimbursable under the federal act; and also
(c)
To limit the amount of extended benefits paid as may be necessary so that the reimbursement of the federal share of extended benefits paid shall remain at one-half (1/2) of the total extended benefits paid.
B.
As used in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1)
"Extended benefit period" means a period which:
(a)
Begins with the third week after a week for which there is a state "on" indicator; and
(b)
Ends with either of the following weeks, whichever occurs later:
(i)
The third week after the first week for which there is a state "off" indicator; or
(ii)
The thirteenth consecutive week of such period.
No extended benefit period may begin by reason of a state "on" indicator before the fourteenth week following the end of a prior extended benefit period which was in effect with respect to this state.
(2)
For weeks beginning after September 25, 1982, there is a "state 'on' indicator" for a week if the rate of insured unemployment under this chapter for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve (12) weeks:
(a)
Equaled or exceeded one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the average of such rates for the corresponding period of thirteen (13) weeks ending in each of the preceding two (2) calendar years; and
(b)
Equaled or exceeded five percent (5%).
The determination of whether there has been a state "on" or "off" indicator beginning or ending any extended benefit period shall be made under this subsection as if (i) paragraph (2) did not contain subparagraph (a) thereof, and (ii) the figure "5" contained in subparagraph (b) thereof were "6"; except that, notwithstanding any such provision of this subsection, any week for which there would otherwise be a "state 'on' indicator" shall continue to be such week and shall not be determined to be a week for which there is a "state 'off' indicator."
(3)
There is a "state 'off' indicator" for a week if, for the period consisting of such week and the immediately preceding twelve (12) weeks, either subparagraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (2) was not satisfied.
(4)
"Rate of insured unemployment," for purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, means the percentage derived by dividing:
(a)
The average number of continued weeks claimed for regular state compensation in this state for weeks of unemployment with respect to the most recent period of thirteen (13) consecutive weeks, as determined by the department on the basis of its reports to the United States Secretary of Labor; by
(b)
The average monthly employment covered under this chapter for the first four (4) of the most recent six (6) completed calendar quarters ending before the end of such period of thirteen (13) weeks.
(5)
"Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under this chapter or under any other state law (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 USCS Section 8501-8525) other than extended benefits.
(6)
"Extended benefits" means benefits (including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-servicemen pursuant to 5 USCS Section 8501-8525) payable to an individual under the provisions of this section for weeks of unemployment in his eligibility period.
(7)
"Eligibility period" of an individual means the period consisting of the weeks in his benefit year which begin in an extended benefit period and, if his benefit year ends within such extended benefit period, any weeks thereafter which begin in such period.
(8)
"Exhaustee" means an individual who, with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period:
(a)
Has received, prior to such week, all of the regular benefits that were available to him under this chapter or any other state law (including dependents' allowances and benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex-servicemen under 5 USCS Section 8501-8525) in his current benefit year that includes such week.
For the purposes of this subparagraph, an individual shall be deemed to have received all of the regular benefits that were available to him although, as a result of a pending appeal with respect to wages that were not considered in the original monetary determination in his benefit year, he may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular benefits; or
(b)
Has no, or insufficient, wages on the basis of which he could establish a new benefit year that would include such week, his benefit year having expired prior to such week; and
(c)
(i)
Has no right to unemployment benefits or allowances, as the case may be, under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Automotive Products Trade Act of 1965, and such other federal laws as are specified in regulations issued by the United States Secretary of Labor; and
(ii)
Has not received and is not seeking unemployment benefits under the Unemployment Compensation Law of the Virgin Islands or of Canada; but if he is seeking such benefits and the appropriate agency finally determines that he is not entitled to benefits under such law, he is considered an exhaustee; however, the reference in this subsection to the Virgin Islands shall be inapplicable effective on the day on which the United States Secretary of Labor approves under Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, an unemployment compensation law submitted to the Secretary by the Virgin Islands for approval.
(9)
"State law" means the unemployment insurance law of any state, approved by the United States Secretary of Labor under Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 USCS Section 3304).
C.
Except when the result would be inconsistent with the other provisions of this section, as provided in the regulations of the department, the provisions of this chapter which apply to claims for, or the payment of, regular benefits shall apply to claims for, and the payment of, extended benefits.
D.
An individual shall be eligible to receive extended benefits with respect to any week of unemployment in his eligibility period only if the department finds that with respect to such week:
(1)
He is an "exhaustee" as defined in subsection B(8) of this section.
(2)
He has satisfied the requirements of this chapter for the receipt of regular benefits that are applicable to individuals claiming extended benefits, including not being subject to a disqualification for the receipt of benefits.
(3)
For a week beginning after September 25, 1982, he has, during his base period, been paid wages for insured work equal to not less than forty (40) times his weekly benefit amount; he has been paid wages for insured work during at least two (2) quarters of his base period, and he has, during that quarter of his base period in which his total wages were highest, been paid wages for insured work equal to not less than twenty-six (26) times the minimum weekly benefit amount.
E.
The weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week of total unemployment in his eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly benefit amount payable to him during his applicable benefit year; however, benefits paid to individuals during eligibility periods beginning before October 1, 1983, shall be computed to the next higher multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), if not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00); and benefits paid to individuals during eligibility periods beginning on or after October 1, 1983, shall be computed to the next lower multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), if not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00). In no event shall the weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual be more than two (2) times the amount of the reimbursement of the federal share of extended benefits paid.
F.
(1)
The total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his applicable benefit year shall be the least of the following amounts:
(a)
Fifty percent (50%) of the total amount of regular benefits which were payable to him under this chapter in his applicable benefit year; however, benefits paid to individuals during eligibility periods beginning before October 1, 1983, shall be computed to the next higher multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), if not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), and benefits paid to individuals during eligibility periods beginning on or after October 1, 1983, shall be computed to the next lower multiple of One Dollar ($1.00), if not a multiple of One Dollar ($1.00); or
(b)
Thirteen (13) times his weekly benefit amount which was payable to him under this chapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable benefit year.
(2)
The total extended benefits otherwise payable to an individual who is filing an interstate claim under the interstate benefit payment plan shall not exceed two (2) weeks whenever an extended benefit period is not in effect for such week in the state where the claim is filed.
(3)
In no event shall the total extended benefit amount payable to any eligible individual with respect to his applicable benefit year be more than two (2) times the amount of the reimbursement of the federal share of extended benefits paid.
G.
(1)
Whenever an extended benefit period is to become effective in this state as a result of a state "on" indicator, or an extended benefit period is to be terminated in this state as a result of state "off" indicators, the department shall make an appropriate public announcement.
(2)
Computations required by the provisions of subsection B(4) shall be made by the department, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the United States Secretary of Labor.
H.
Extended benefits paid under the provisions of this section which are not reimbursable from federal funds shall be charged to the experience-rating record of base period employers.
I.
(1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections C and D of this section, an individual shall be disqualified for receipt of extended benefits if the department finds that during any week of his eligibility period:
(a)
He has failed either to apply for or to accept an offer of suitable work (as defined under paragraph (3)) to which he was referred by the department; or
(b)
He has failed to furnish tangible evidence that he has actively engaged in a systematic and sustained effort to find work, unless such individual is not actively engaged in seeking work because such individual is:
(i)
Before any court of the United States or any state pursuant to a lawfully issued summons to appear for jury duty;
(ii)
Hospitalized for treatment of an emergency or a life-threatening condition.
The entitlement to benefits of any individual who is determined not to be actively engaged in seeking work in any week for the foregoing reasons shall be decided pursuant to the able and available requirements in Section
71-5-511
without regard to the disqualification provisions otherwise applicable under Section
71-5-541
. The conditions prescribed in clauses (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph (b) must be applied in the same manner to individuals filing claims for regular benefits.
(2)
Such disqualification shall begin with the week in which such failure occurred and shall continue until he has been employed in each of eight (8) subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned remuneration for personal services performed for an employer, as in this chapter defined, equal to not less than eight (8) times his weekly extended benefit amount.
(3)
For the purpose of subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) the term "suitable work" means any work which is within the individual's capabilities to perform, if:
(a)
The gross average weekly remuneration payable for the work exceeds the sum of the individual's weekly extended benefit amount plus the amount, if any, of supplemental unemployment benefits (as defined in Section 501(c)(17)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) payable to such individual for such week;
(b)
The wages payable for the work equal the higher of the minimum wages provided by Section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (without regard to any exemption), or the state or local minimum wage; and
(c)
The position was offered to the individual in writing or was listed with the state employment service; and
(d)
Such work otherwise meets the definition of "suitable work" for regular benefits contained in Section
71-5-513A(4)
to the extent that such criteria of suitability are not inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph (3); and
(e)
The individual cannot furnish satisfactory evidence to the department that his prospects for obtaining work in his customary occupation within a reasonably short period are good. If such evidence is deemed satisfactory for this purpose, the determination of whether any work is suitable with respect to such individual shall be made in accordance with the definition of suitable work contained in Section
71-5-513A(4)
without regard to the definition specified by this paragraph (3).
(4)
Notwithstanding any provisions of subsection I to the contrary, no work shall be deemed to be suitable work for an individual which does not accord with the labor standard provisions set forth herein under Section
71-5-513A(4)
.
(5)
The employment service shall refer any claimant entitled to extended benefits under this section to any suitable work which meets the criteria prescribed in paragraph (3).
(6)
An individual shall be disqualified for extended benefits for the week, or fraction thereof, which immediately follows the day on which he left work voluntarily without good cause (as defined in Section
71-5-513A(1)
), was discharged for misconduct connected with his work, or refused suitable work (except as provided in subsection I of this section), and for each week thereafter until he has earned remuneration for personal services performed for an employer, as in this chapter defined, equal to not less than eight (8) times his weekly benefit amount, as determined in each case.
(7)
The provisions of paragraphs I(1) through (6) of this section shall not apply to claims for weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993, and before January 1, 1995, and during that period the provisions of this chapter applicable to claims for regular compensation shall apply.
J.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if the benefit year of any individual ends within an extended benefit period, the remaining balance of extended benefits that such individual would, but for this section, be entitled to receive in that extended benefit period, with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after the end of the benefit year, shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the product of the number of weeks for which the individual received any amounts as trade readjustment allowances within that benefit year, multiplied by the individual's weekly benefit amount for extended benefits.
Codes, 1942, § 7389.5; Laws, 1971, ch. 519, § 15; Laws, 1977, ch. 497, § 9; Laws, 1981, ch. 466, § 2; Laws, 1982, ch. 480, § 6; Laws, 1983, ch. 364, § 5; Laws, 1984, ch. 498, § 4; Laws, 1986, ch. 316, § 4; Laws, 1986, ch. 335; Laws, 1993, ch. 329, § 1; Laws, 2004, ch. 572, § 46; reenacted without change, Laws, 2008, 1st Ex Sess, ch. 30, § 46; reenacted without change, Laws, 2010, ch. 559, § 46; reenacted without change, Laws, 2011, ch. 471, § 47; reenacted without change, Laws, 2012, ch. 515, § 47, eff. 7/1/2012.
Reenacted without change by Laws, 2023, ch. 510, SB 2810,§ 48, eff. 4/17/2023.
Amended by Laws, 2019, ch. 451, SB 2133,§ 58, eff. 4/3/2019.
Reenacted without change by Laws, 2019, ch. 451, SB 2133,§ 46, eff. 4/3/2019.