Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Recession Readiness Act

This bill updates unemployment benefits so help is more reliable, easier to qualify for, and faster during tough times. It sets a clear floor of at least 26 weeks of regular benefits and raises minimum benefit levels, so weekly checks replace more of a worker’s past wages and don’t fall below a baseline tied to the state’s average weekly wage . States must pay benefits right away without a “waiting week,” count recent earnings when deciding eligibility, and allow people seeking part-time work to qualify and keep some pay from part-time hours without losing all benefits . Leaving a job for safety or serious personal reasons (like domestic violence, stalking, or other harassment) would not disqualify someone, with flexible proof options; ending a temp assignment counts as a layoff; and more student workers and workers in certain labor disputes could qualify .

During high unemployment, extended benefits would be fully paid by the federal government, kick in more reliably, and last longer—up to 52 extra weeks in the worst periods. These extended benefits would also be shielded from budget cuts and better coordinated with regular benefits if a new claim would pay less . In declared health or disaster emergencies, states would add federally funded “emergency” boosts to weekly checks, and those payments wouldn’t count against eligibility for other aid programs . The bill also creates a weekly “Jobseeker Allowance” for people actively looking for work (including the self-employed), with flexible availability rules, adjusted amounts for part-time seekers or those also getting unemployment, extra help when unemployment is elevated, and strong overpayment protections; these payments are ignored for other federal benefits too .

• Who is affected: Unemployed workers (including part-time seekers, temp workers, certain student workers), victims of violence/harassment, workers in some labor disputes, and jobseekers (including self-employed). Employers and state workforce agencies are impacted by new standards and programs .
• What changes: Higher and longer baseline benefits, faster first payments, easier eligibility, stronger extended-benefit triggers, federally funded boosts during emergencies, and a new Jobseeker Allowance with safeguards .
• When: Most updates apply to weeks of unemployment starting January 1, 2027, or earlier if a state adopts them sooner; some extended-benefit and emergency provisions apply based on unemployment rates or declared emergencies .