Unemployment Benefits

A long-awaited audit found an array of weaknesses at state unemployment agency.

Missouri’s current unemployment benefit ranges from 13 to 20 weeks, depending on the state’s unemployment rate. The new bill shortens it to as few as eight.

Currently, Missourians can avoid paying the federal benefits back, but not the state, if they are granted a waiver.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is finally implementing a so-called work-share program — first authorized under a 2015 law — that could have saved anywhere from 43,600 to 123,900 jobs statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The waivers could lead to the forgiveness of more than $100 million in federal money that the state has tried to recoup from 47,000 Missourians.

The legislature failed to pass a bill that aimed to forgive nearly $150 million in mostly federal benefits given to thousands of Missourians mistakenly during the height of the pandemic.

The move brought about criticism from Congresswoman Cori Bush and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. Gov. Mike Parson said the programs provide a disincentive for people to work.

House members said the department agreed to stop sending letters threatening to garnish the money, but more than 30 people recently received letters saying the department filed a lien on their property.

The Missouri House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday that aims to waive repayment of about 80% of the unemployment money the state said it overpaid people last year.

The state is demanding that more than 46,000 people pay back money the state said it mistakenly overpaid them last year. Some lawmakers worry that fighting appeals will be costly to Missouri and are trying to block collection of the money.