During the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits and increased benefit amounts and durations. In an earlier article, we described those changes and explained what they meant for benefits in each state.
One notable change was the addition of a $600 weekly federal supplement to unemployment benefits early in the pandemic, which has since been replaced by a $300 weekly supplement due to end on September 6, 2021.
Now that Americans are getting vaccinated, Covid cases are falling, the economy is reopening, and economic activity is picking up, employer demand for workers is rebounding. Job openings reached an all-time record high 8.1 million in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some observers, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, argue that the expanded employment benefits could discourage unemployed Americans from returning to the workforce. Several politicians have blamed the extra federal payments for contributing to hiring challenges around the country.
On May 4, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced that he would opt out of federal unemployment benefits early and convert the funds into reemployment bonuses for people who return to work. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster soon announced that he would be canceling federal unemployment programs early, too.
The Jobs Report released May 7, 2021, found that businesses added payrolls at a far slower pace than expected in April, but increased the wages and working hours of existing employees. Several Republican governors reacted to the report over the following days by announcing that their states would also opt out of federal pandemic unemployment programs and cancel the $300 weekly federal payments early.
It is possible that other states may follow suit. Here, we track which states have announced early cancellations, when those changes go into effect, and what—if anything—states will be providing in place of weekly supplemental payments.
About 16 million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits. In some states, they stand to lose them if they don’t actively search for work. That’s because some states have reimposed work search requirements that were waived in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, job search activities can be safe and socially distant in ZipRecruiter’s online employment marketplace. While the requirements can be fairly minimal, unemployed Americans can find better opportunities and speed up their return to work by going beyond what’s required and really ‘leaning in’ during their job search process.
States Canceling Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Programs Before September 6, 2021
Details are up-to-date as of publication on May 14, 2021. Updates will be made periodically.
| State | Governor | Date of Announcement | Date Cancellation Effective | Alternative State Policy |
| Alabama | Kay Ivey (R) | May 10, 2021 | June 19, 2021 | – |
| Alaska | Mike Dunleavy (R) | May 14, 2021 | June 12, 2021 | – |
| Arizona | Doug Ducey (R) | May 13, 2021 | July 10, 2021 | Arizona will provide unemployment insurance beneficiaries who find employment return-to-work bonuses of $2,000 for full-time and $1,000 for part-time after they complete 10 weeks on the job. |
| Arkansas | Asa Hutchinson (R) | May 7, 2021 | June 26, 2021 | – |
| California | – | – | – | – |
| Colorado | – | – | – | – |
| Connecticut | – | – | – | – |
| Delaware | – | – | – | – |
| District of Columbia | – | – | – | – |
| Florida | – | – | – | – |
| Georgia | Brian Kemp (R) | May 13, 2021 | June 26, 2021 | – |
| Hawaii | – | – | – | – |
| Idaho | Brad Little (R) | May 11, 2021 | June 19, 2021 | – |
| Illinois | – | – | – | – |
| Indiana | – | – | – | – |
| Iowa | Kim Reynolds (R) | May 11, 2021 | June 12, 2021 | – |
| Kansas | – | – | – | – |
| Kentucky | – | – | – | – |
| Louisiana | – | – | – | – |
| Maine | – | – | – | – |
| Maryland | – | – | – | – |
| Massachusetts | – | – | – | – |
| Michigan | – | – | – | – |
| Minnesota | – | – | – | – |
| Mississippi | Tate Reeves (R) | May 10, 2021 | June 12, 2021 | – |
| Missouri | Mike Parson (R) | May 11, 2021 | June 12, 2021 | – |
| Montana | Greg Gianforte (R) | May 4, 2021 | June 27, 2021 | Montana will provide unemployment insurance beneficiaries who find employment $1,200 return-to-work bonuses after they complete a month on the job. |
| Nebraska | – | – | – | – |
| Nevada | – | – | – | – |
| New Hampshire | – | – | – | – |
| New Jersey | – | – | – | – |
| New Mexica | – | – | – | – |
| New York | – | – | – | – |
| North Carolina | – | – | – | – |
| North Dakota | Doug Burgum (R) | May 10, 2021 | June 19, 2021 | – |
| Ohio | Mike DeWine (R) | May 13, 2021 | June 26, 2021 | Ohio will provide five $1 million prizes to adults who get vaccinated against Covid and five full-ride scholarships to state schools to teens who get vaccinated. |
| Oklahoma | – | – | – | – |
| Oregon | – | – | – | – |
| Pennsylvania | – | – | – | – |
| Rhode Island | – | – | – | – |
| South Carolina | Henry McMaster (R) | May 6, 2021 | June 30, 2021 | – |
| South Dakota | Kristi Noem (R) | May 12, 2021 | June 26, 2021 | – |
| Tennessee | Bill Lee (R) | May 11, 2021 | July 3, 2021 | – |
| Texas | – | – | – | – |
| Utah | Spencer Cox (R) | May 12, 2021 | June 26, 2021 | – |
| Vermont | – | – | – | – |
| Virginia | – | – | – | – |
| Washington | – | – | – | – |
| West Virginia | Jim Justice (R) | May 14, 2021 | June 19, 2021 | – |
| Wisconsin | – | – | – | – |
| Wyoming | Mark Gordon (R) | May 12, 2021 | June 19, 2021 | – |
FAQs About Unemployment Benefits by State
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Alabama?
Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced on May 10, 2021 that Alabama will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 19, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Alaska?
Governor Mike Dunleavy’s (R) Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter, announced on May 14, 2021 that Alaska will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 12, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Arizona?
Governor Doug Ducey (R) announced on May 13, 2021 that Arizona will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on July 10, 2021. Funds will be used for Return-To-Work bonuses for Arizonans who were collecting unemployment insurance prior to the announcement. One-time payments will be $2,000 for individuals who rejoin the workforce at a full-time job and $1,000 for part-time. Each will be paid out after completing a minimum of 10 weeks of work. To qualify, recipients must also make $25 per hour or less, equivalent to a yearly salary of $52,000, at their new job and must begin working by September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Arkansas?
Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) announced on May 7, 2021 that Arkansas will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 26, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in California?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Colorado?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Connecticut?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Delaware?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in the District of Columbia?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Florida?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Georgia?
Governor Brian Kemp (R) announced on May 13, 2021 that Georgia will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 26, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Hawaii?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Idaho?
Governor Brad Little (R) announced on May 11, 2021 that Idaho will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 19, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Illinois?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Indiana?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Iowa?
Governor Kim Reynolds (R) announced on May 11, 2021 that Iowa will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 12, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Kansas?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Kentucky?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Louisiana?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Maine?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Maryland?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Massachusetts?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Michigan?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Minnesota?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Mississippi?
Governor Tate Reeves (R) announced on May 10, 2021 that Mississippi will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 12, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Missouri?
Governor Mike Parson (R) announced on May 11, 2021 that Missouri will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 12, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Montana?
Governor Greg Gianforte (R) announced on May 4, 2021 that Montana will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 27, 2021. Funds will be used for a $1,200 Return-To-Work Bonus initiative. Individuals who were receiving unemployment benefits as of May 4, 2021, and subsequently accept employment will receive the payment after completing a minimum of four paid weeks of work.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Nebraska?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Nevada?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in New Hampshire?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in New Jersey?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in New Mexico?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in New York?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in North Carolina?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in North Dakota?
Governor Doug Burgum (R) announced on May 10, 2021 that North Dakota will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 19, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Ohio?
Governor Mike DeWine (R) announced on May 13, 2021 that Ohio will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 26, 2021. Funds will instead go towards a five-week series of statewide drawings to incentivize Covid vaccinations, with the first drawings on May 26, 2021. Every Ohioan over the age of 18 who gets vaccinated will be entered into a weekly drawing to win up to $1 million dollars. Every Ohioan under 18 who gets vaccinated will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a four-year full scholarship to any of Ohio’s state colleges and universities, including full tuition, room, and board.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Oklahoma?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Oregon?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Pennsylvania?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Rhode Island?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in South Carolina?
Governor Henry McMaster (R) announced on May 6, 2021 that South Carolina will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 30, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in South Dakota?
Governor Kristi Noem (R) announced on May 12, 2021 that South Dakota will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 26, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Tennessee?
Governor Bill Lee (R) announced on May 11, 2021 that Tennessee will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on July 3, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Texas?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Utah?
Governor Spencer Cox (R) announced on May 12, 2021 that Utah will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 26, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Vermont?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Virginia?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Washington?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in West Virginia?
Governor Jim Justice (R) announced on May 14, 2021 that West Virginia will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 19, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Wisconsin?
Pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits are due to continue until September 6, 2021.
When will Covid unemployment insurance benefits end in Wyoming?
Governor Mark Gordon (R) announced on May 12, 2021 that Wyoming will end pandemic-related federal unemployment benefits on June 19, 2021.
