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Massachusetts

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 14, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Massachusetts, we recommend that you visit the state's COVID-19 Updates and Information website, COVID-19 State of Emergency resources or MassTrac's list of bills related to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Description of Program and Relief

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Workers who are temporarily unemployed or whose hours have been reduced because of COVID-19, workers who have been quarantined due to an order by a civil authority, and workers who leave employment due to reasonable risk of exposure to COVID-19 or to care for a family member may be eligible for full or partial unemployment benefits. Eligibility requirements can be found here.

Unemployment claims can be processed online here. Remote call centers are also open but are experiencing volume-related delays. All in-person services are currently unavailable at all Career Centers and unemployment walk-in centers across Massachusetts. However, additional services are available here for those with disabilities, special needs, and language barriers.

The requirement to attend MassHire career center seminars has been suspended for claims for unemployment benefits and missing deadlines due to effects of COVID-19 will be considered good cause. Lateness due to effects of COVID-19 will be excused. All appeal hearings will be telephonic.

As of May 26, 2020, SB.2618 took effect to amend the General Law (Section 30) to prohibit the reduction of an applicant’s benefit rate from 30 times to 26 times in a benefit year in which initial applications in any week exceeds 100,000 and to prohibit applying unemployment claims resulting from COVID-19 to the account of any employer or in calculating their experience rate. The act also lifts the cap on dependency benefits paid to an unemployed person with dependent children. Non-profits are granted a 120-day extension on their next unemployment contribution payment.

Government or Lead Agency

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Department of Unemployment Assistance

Dates Available

Available immediately. The provisions of SB.2618 related to employer contributions and dependency benefits are repealed one year after the act’s effective date (i.e., May 26, 2021) or six months after the end of the state of emergency, whichever is later.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Eligibility requirements can be found here.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Not applicable

Contact for More Information

Not applicable

List of Additional Information

For additional details, the Massachusetts COVID-19 Unemployment Information website may be found here.

A link to the text of the legislation (SB.2618) may be found here.

Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development - (617) 626-7122

Department of Unemployment Assistance, TeleClaim Center - (617) 626-6800


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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