HB 1493 Summary: Reemployment Assistance

• Defines "alternative base period" as the four most recently completed calendar quarters before a claimant's benefit year when the standard base period does not qualify them for benefits.

• Reduces work search requirements from five to three prospective employers per week for most claimants; reduces from three to two employers in small counties.

• Increases minimum weekly benefit amount from $32 to $100 and maximum from $275 to $375; increases total annual benefit cap from $6,325 to $9,375.

• Increases maximum benefit duration from 12-23 weeks to 14-25 weeks based on state unemployment rate, and allows alternative base period wages to be used when initial base period wages are insufficient.

• Prohibits the Department of Economic Opportunity from denying reemployment assistance solely based on pregnancy; requires department to contact employers for wage information when unavailable through standard channels; effective July 1, 2023.