Rhode Island HB 5448 Change Notification
This measure changes the June 30, 2025, sunset to June 30, 2026, on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits and the increase in the amount of earnings disregarded when calculating a weekly benefit rate.
An individual partially unemployed and eligible in any week shall be paid sufficient benefits with respect to that week, so that the individual’s week’s wages, rounded to the next higher multiple of one dollar and the individual’s benefits combined will equal in amount the weekly benefit rate to which the individual would be entitled if totally unemployed in that week. For weeks beginning on or after May 23, 2021, through June 30, 2026, an individual partially unemployed and eligible in any week shall be paid benefits in an amount equal to the weekly benefit rate to which the individual would be entitled if totally unemployed in that week less any wages earned in that week, as defined in § 28-42-3(26), and the individual’s benefits combined may not exceed in amount one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the individual’s weekly benefit rate.
Effective Date
Immediately
Rhode Island House Bill 5448 Implication to Stakeholders
For those employers who have part-time workers, this could possibly increase their responsibility for unemployment benefits paid to this class of worker, at least until 2026.
Recommended Action
Employers should be sure to audit unemployment benefit charge statements for accuracy each quarter when they are generated by the state unemployment agency.
