PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey has announced a forthcoming executive order and issued an administrative action aimed at providing certainty and economic relief to workers affected by COVID-19. The executive order ensures those who are out of work or facing economic hardship because of COVID-19 have access to unemployment benefits.
“The state of Arizona will continue to take proactive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health,” said Governor Ducey. “These are important steps to get help to Arizonans out of work and struggling to make ends meet because of COVID-19. These are just some steps out of many we will continue to take to support Arizonans in need during this time — and Arizona will get through this together.”
Executive Order Ensuring Individuals Whose Employment Is Affected by COVID-19 Have Access to Unemployment
- Waives the one-week waiting period after an employee loses a job before they apply for unemployment benefits.
- Waives work search requirements for those receiving unemployment benefits.
- Adds people who work at a business that has been temporarily closed or has reduced hours because of COVID-19, who have to quarantine because of COVID-19, or who have to care for a family member with COVID-19 to the list of people eligible for unemployment insurance. The order also waives any increase in employer payments to the unemployment insurance fund for businesses whose employees receive benefits under this provision.
