Alaska Joins Other States Ending Participation In Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

May 14, 2021
No. 21-16

(UPDATE: On the date of this press release, Alaska's PUC end date was June 12, but it has since been updated to reflect the new end date of June 19.)

JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter announces Alaska will end its participation in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation weekly $300 supplemental benefit on June 19, 2021.

"As Alaska's economy opens up, employers are posting a wide range of job opportunities and workers are needed," said Commissioner Ledbetter.

Unemployment Insurance is a short-term relief program funded through employer and employee contributions. Federal and state program expansions have added additional weeks of eligibility and supplemental funding to the normal state benefit.

Since March 2020, the department has been at the forefront of Alaska’s response to the pandemic. More than $1.2 billion in federal and state funds have been distributed through the UI program.

Extensions of the basic state benefit will continue to Sept. 6, 2021, and will be available to both eligible UI recipients and self-employed filers.

As the economy rebounds, the department has seen a steady reduction in the number of active filers. There are currently 32,000 filers across all available programs - down from a high of approximately 65,000 last May of 2020.

"There are numerous training and employment resources available to Alaskans looking for work," said Commissioner Ledbetter. "A great example is the Virtual Job Fair happening right now. More than 50 local employers have posted recruitments, and the response has been very positive. Employer demand for workers is outpacing job applicants.For those seeking employment, the time is now."

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