The unemployment process through the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) this year has seen it's ups and downs, with over 660 thousand claims filed just this year.

But that number has significantly dropped.

“Last week, we had 285,020 Nevadans receiving some form of weekly benefits," said Barbra Buckley, Strike Force Leader for DETR.

According to a letter from the DETR, due to the delay in signing the COVID-19 relief bill, claimants will see a delay in the $300 supplemental unemployment payment, which they will receive retroactively in the weeks ahead, after they get new guidelines from the federal government.

DETR says an added $300 per week in Federal Unemployment Pandemic Compensation will be available starting this week, so eligible claimants will receive the added payment for 11 weeks, according to the Department of Labor. 

DETR says they are awaiting updated rules from the Department of Labor on how to implement the new unemployment provisions and is prepared to reprogram its system.

The department says they have to wait on the Department of Labor before they can implement the changes and that could take up to two weeks. 

"We are not even going to get the guidance from the Department of Labor for 10 days after the bill is signed," said Elisa Cafferata, Director for DETR.

Governor Sisolak spoke on the bill in a statement reading in part quote: "...it will take time for federal money to reach the state to continue administering these programs and the delays at the federal level will cause a gap for many Nevadans in need. I know the DETR team will continue to work tirelessly to minimize the disruption caused by the federal delays."

The bill also extended benefits for the PUA and PEUC programs, and allows states to waive PUA unemployment overpayments.

DETR listed the changes to the unemployment programs, which include:

  • Claimants getting PUA after December 27 will be required to provide documentation of their self-employment earnings
  • Claimants getting PUA will be required to verify their identity
  • Claimants in any program will be disqualified for refusing to work without good cause

The department also issued some guidance for Nevadan claimants on the new changes

  • When claimants file, Federal Unemployment Pandemic Compensation will be automatically added if they are eligible
  • Claimants with weeks remaining in unemployment insurance should continue to file weekly claims
  • Claimants who will have additional weeks in unemployment insurance or other compensation due to the new relief bill should watch the website for updates
  • Claimants will be caught up on payment for all weeks they are eligible
  • New claimants should be prepared to upload documents related to their identification and their net self-employment income 

You can read Governor Sisolak's full statement below:

After many long months, I am pleased that Congress reached a compromise to provide more aid to Americans and that the President finally signed the bill into law today after unnecessary delays. I am grateful to the federal delegation for their efforts to secure important Nevada priorities including no funding to restart the Yucca Mountain project, small business aid, transportation infrastructure, and support for our frontline workers. 

I know many Nevadans will find some relief in the direct payments in the aid package as well as extended unemployment insurance benefits, and rental and food assistance programs that are critically needed at this time. But we know that this aid package is simply not enough to meet the needs of Nevadans or countless other Americans suffering throughout the country. 

While this aid package will provide some relief to the 3.2 million residents of this State, I am disappointed in the amount of time it took Congressional leaders to come together in the spirit of compromise, and equally disappointed the President took an inordinate amount of time deciding whether or not to approve the plan and sign the bill over the holiday week, resulting in federally funded unemployment benefits expiring for thousands of Nevadans and Americans. 

As officials from the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation said on Christmas Eve, it will take time for federal money to reach the State to continue administering these programs and the delays at the federal level will cause a gap for many Nevadans in need. I know the DETR team will continue to work tirelessly to minimize the disruption caused by the federal delays. 

In a statement, the President mentioned he was planning to send a “redlined version” of the bill back to Congress, with changes. The State team – including the Governor’s Finance Office – will continue to evaluate the funding in this stimulus package in its current form to determine how this will affect current programs in place, especially in light of the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund arbitrary spending deadline being extended. The State will work closely with the federal delegation as there are more updates.