ATLANTA – State Representative James Burchett (R-Waycross), chairman of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, commends Governor Brian Kemp for his recent decision to end the state’s participation in additional federal funding for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Rep. Burchett also supports the state’s plan to offer job search assistance to unemployed Georgians who may be able to work.
“Opting out of the increased payments is a very important step toward a full recovery of our state economy,” said Rep. Burchett. “We need to support Georgia businesses by encouraging citizens to reenter the workforce. I appreciate Governor Kemp and the Georgia Department of Labor for offering resources, including job training and childcare services, to help Georgians get back to work safely.”
Gov. Kemp recently announced that beginning June 26, 2021, Georgia will no longer participate in several federal pandemic-related unemployment programs, including the $300 federal weekly payment that unemployed Georgians receive in addition to their state unemployment checks. The state will also end its participation in a federal benefits for those who would not usually qualify, such as the self-employed, gig workers and part-time workers, an extension of federal benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted, as well as a federal benefit that offers an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings. However, the Georgia Department of Labor will continue offering regular state unemployment insurance benefits to eligible Georgians, which is a maximum weekly benefit of $365.
Through the Georgia Department of Labor, the state will provide additional job search support, education and training opportunities and childcare and transportation services. The governor also announced that the state will work towards safe workplace initiatives for workers, families and employers.
The state’s labor department currently provides online support to Georgians seeking to rejoin the workforce. Job seekers can utilize the Employ Georgia database, which includes more than 251,000 job listings. The GDOL also offers career counseling, skills testing, job fair information, job training services and accessibility and special accommodations for people with disabilities and veterans transitioning back into the workplace.
For more information on Employ Georgia, please visit https://employgeorgia.com/.
Representative James Burchett represents the citizens of District 176, which includes all of Atkinson and Lanier counties and portions of Lowndes and Ware counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2019 and currently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight and Transportation committees. He is also an Ex-Officio member of the Judiciary Committee.
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