New Mexico's work search requirement reinstated for those receiving unemployment benefits
Those on unemployment have to prove they're looking for work in order to receive benefits. An economist believes this could improve the high unemployment rate.
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Updated: 8:07 AM MDT May 11, 2021
New Mexico's work search requirement reinstated for those receiving unemployment benefits
Those on unemployment have to prove they're looking for work in order to receive benefits. An economist believes this could improve the high unemployment rate.
Share
Updated: 8:07 AM MDT May 11, 2021
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REPORTER: YOU NOW HAVE TO SHOW THE DATE YOU CONTACTED THE BUSINESS, THE TYPE OF WORK IT WAS, AND GIVE THE EMPLOYER’S NAME, TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. >> THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND LOOK FOR WORK. REPORTER: AFTER 14 MONTHS WITHOUT IT, THE WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENT IS BACK FOR UNEMPLOYED NEW MEXICANS, PER THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS WEBSITE, AS OF SUNDA THE WAIVER THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, IS NOW LIFTED, AND THOSE SEEKING BENEFITS HAVE TO PROVE THEY’VE MADE AT LEAST TWO WORK SEARCHES EVERY WEEK. BUT WHAT LED TO THE DECISION? IN A STATEMENT MONDAY, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID QUOTE, WITH THE DECLINE IN COVID-19 SPREAD AND THE SUCCESSFUL ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE, WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO MOVE NEW MEXICO FORWARD. AS A RESULT, MORE EMPLOYERS ARE NOW ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR REOPENING EFFORTS, INCLUDING BRINGING MORE STAFF BACK TO WORK AND HIRING NEW POSITIONS. >> GIVEN THAT THERE ARE REPORTEDLY TONS OF JOBS AVAILABLE, MORE THAN PERHA PEOPLE HAD EXPECTED, IT MAKES SENSE TO REVERT BACK. KALYN: MICHAEL O’DONNELL AN ECONOMIST, AT UNM SAYS THE CHANGE MAKES SENSE. AND WITH THE STATE’S UNEMPLOYMENT AT 8%, ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY, THE WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENT MIGHT HELP. >> I THINK BRINGING BACK THE SEARCH REQUIREMENT WILL PROBABLY HELP AT LEAST SOMEWHAT TO BRING THAT RATE DOWN. THE QUESTION IS, ARE THOSE PEOPLE GOING TO GO BACK TO WORK OR ARE THEY GOING TO DROP OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE? KALYN: HE SAID IT IS HARD TO KNOWN NOW IF THOSE ON THE SIDELINES ARE DOING SO BECAUSE OF BENEFITS OR REASONS LIKE FEELING UNSAFE WORKING IN A PANDEMIC. KALYN NORWOOD KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS . SH