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Nebraska Governor Pete Rickets has issued Executive Order 20-04 to temporarily waive certain provisions of the state's unemployment insurance (UI) law to provide for flexibility as outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor to support workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Executive Order waives the requirement that UI benefit recipients search for work, eliminates the waiting week to be eligible for UI benefits and stipulates that COVID-19 UI benefits are not charged to employers' accounts.

According to the Governor's press release, the Nebraska Department of Labor will continue to look at ways to streamline the process of filing for and receiving UI benefits as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

Executive Order details

The Executive Order provides the following temporary relief pursuant to COVID-19:

• Suspends certain provisions of subdivisions (22) and (33) of Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 48-602 and directs the Commissioner of Labor to treat workers in an unpaid status for any reason as a result of COVID-19 exposure or illness as being on a temporary layoff and attached to their employment
• Suspends the provisions of subdivision (4) of Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 48-627 requiring an unpaid waiting week for any eligible individual
• Suspends the provisions of 219 NAC 4 (006) and provides that an individual is available for work as required by Neb. Rev. Stat Section 48-627, if any limitation placed by the individual on his or her availability does not constitute a withdrawal from the labor market
• Waives work-search requirements otherwise required under Neb. Rev. Stat.Section 48-627 and 219 NAC 4, because compliance would be oppressive or inconsistent with the purpose of the Employment Security Law
• Suspends certain provisions of (l)(b) of Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 48-652 and grants an employer relief from charging for benefits paid to individuals eligible for unemployment benefits solely as a result of COVID-19 exposure or illness
• Suspends certain provisions of Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 48-681 and grants a contributory employer relief from charging for benefits paid to individuals eligible for short-time compensation benefits due to reduction in work as a direct result of COVID-19 exposure or illness
• Suspends certain provisions of Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 48-632 and 48-652 and grants employers relief from charging and appeal rights when an employer's failure to respond to requests for separation information within 10 days is reasonably attributable to absences or temporary separations resulting from COVID-19 exposure or illness

Employer frequently asked questions are available here.

Employee frequently asked questions are available here.

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