Extended Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Going Away For Iowans

With the good news of improving economic recovery in Iowa comes bad news for those still not experiencing it. Several weeks of steadily decreasing unemployment numbers in the state are encouraging news for officials but it also means they will declare this Saturday, October 31 the end to a set of benefits enacted in May to help those finding themselves unemployed during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Iowa Workforce Development, the 13-week unemployment average has recently fallen below 5 percent, thus triggering off the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program.

KWWL says the program was enacted to give unemployed Iowans an additional 13 weeks of benefits or "50 percent of the person’s original unemployment benefit total — whichever one is less — after 26 weeks of standard benefits and 13 weeks of PEUC."

The last payable week for those receiving PEUC benefits will end on October 31, but recipients may still qualify for regular pandemic unemployment benefits and can apply for those here.

After October 31, even if you are a claimant who hadn't received the full 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, they will no longer be available. Iowa Workforce Development has an extensive list of what resources and assistance residents can qualify for here.