This week, Senator Gary Peters’ unemployment assistance provision was implemented in Michigan to provide families the relief they need in the wake of the coronavirus. The new program broadens the number of Michiganders who qualify for unemployment insurance, including self-employed workers like small business owners, independent contractors, freelance workers, and others who will now qualify for this desperately needed aid for up to 39 weeks. Peters’ bill was signed into law last week as part of the bipartisan Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and implemented Monday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. While more work still needs to be done, Peters’ leadership will begin to provide immediate aid to the Michigan workers who are forced to stay home and aren’t getting paid or have lost their jobs.
Read more about Peters’ work to put Michigan workers first:
MLive: Michigan governor announces new unemployment programs for workers hit by coronavirus pandemic
The governor signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to implement pandemic unemployment programs available to workers who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits. The program, created through a provision added by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, provides temporary support for independent contractors, people who are self-employed, seasonal workers and others who can no longer work because of the pandemic.
Detroit Free Press: Some self-employed Michiganders will qualify for stimulus money
A $2 trillion stimulus bill aimed at coronavirus that is expected to pass the Senate on Wednesday will
offer economic relief to Michiganders — including those who were self-employed and now out of work
“Michiganders forced to stay at home from work due to Coronavirus shouldn’t need to worry about being able to pay their bills or putting food on the table,” Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, said. “We need to do everything possible to support workers and families during this challenging time.”
Keweenaw Report: Senator Peters Helps Pass COVID-19 Package
Michigan Senator Gary Peters helped pass the third COVID-19 package, which will expand
unemployment benefits, support small businesses, and hospitals and health care professionals.
The bill includes Peters’ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act, which will create an unemployment compensation program to help those unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also expands eligibility for those who have exhausted their benefits and includes those who normally would not qualify for benefits such as self employed and small business owners and independent contractors.
Michigan Advance: U.S. Senate COVID-19 aid package passes with Peters’ unemployment extension
The bill includes a Peters provision for federally funded unemployment benefits to people unable to work because of COVID-19. It expands who is eligible for unemployment to include workers who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits or other workers who would not usually qualify, such as self-employed workers like small business owners, freelance workers, independent contractors and seasonal workers as well as individuals who have recently started or were about to start a new job. Workers could receive benefits for up to 39 weeks.
“Michiganders who aren’t receiving a paycheck or have lost their jobs because of the Coronavirus pandemic shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can pay their bills or put food on the table — and that’s why I fought to secure inclusion of my legislation to expand critical unemployment assistance to everyone from small business owners to workers in the gig economy and independent contractors,” Peters said in a floor speech.
Huron Daily Tribune: Senate’s relief package includes many financial relief provisions
Senator Gary Peters contributed the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act to the bill, which provides unemployment insurance to workers who exhausted their state unemployment benefits and those who would not normally qualify for such benefits, and they could receive those benefits for up to 39 weeks.
