More states offer up to $2,000 return-to-work bonuses

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• With federal unemployment benefits ending, the US is seeing a continual rise in joblessness as Americans were discouraged from finding work amid the pandemic.
• Four states are now offering one-time cash bonuses to workers returning to the workforce.
• Arizona, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma were to offer back-to-work incentive programs ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.

With the recent withdrawal of the majority of the states from the federal pandemic employment assistance, joblessness continues to rise as more Americans were discouraged from finding work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The $300 pandemic aid is set to end in early September of this year.

However, a few state governments have opened opportunities for their residents to take jobs through a “back-to-work bonus” program.

To date, at least four states – Arizona, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma – who earlier signified their withdrawal from the $300 pandemic assistance checks – were to offer the back-to-work incentive program.

Other states such as Colorado and Connecticut are continuing with the $300 pandemic assistance, but are also offering their own back-to-work incentives.

Each state features different requirements and guidelines on how to avail the program.

In Arizona, one can receive a $2,000 worth of incentive for work hours equivalent to at least eight 40-hour weeks over the first 10 weeks upon onset of the job. $1,000 bonus goes to individuals working part-time.

They also must earn $25 an hour or less per hour between May 13 and September 6 to qualify for the program.

In Colorado, workers are eligible if they start a full-time job between May 16 and June 26, and will receive between $1,200 for June starters and $1,600 for May.

Connecticut offers a $1,000 payment bonus for those who take a job and render work for eight consecutive weeks, beginning May 30.

Montana workers are receiving a $1,200 bonus provided that they must work for at least four weeks.

New Hampshire offers $1,000 for full-time workers and $500 for part-timers starting May 18. Jobs must pay $25 or less an hour to qualify.

Oklahoma announced a similar program enticing its first 20,000 unemployed workers to go back to the workforce between May 17 and September 4, where they will receive $1,200. A 32-hour per week workload for six consecutive weeks is required to qualify for the incentive.

New Hampshire reports that those who work full-time for eight consecutive weeks could get $1,000 and part-time workers, $500. To be fully eligible, workers must make under $25 an hour.

Source: CNET