S 3379

This bill, the EARLY Benefits for Workers Act, aims to improve access to unemployment benefits by giving states more flexibility in how they use grant money for reemployment services. Specifically, it allows states to dedicate up to 20% of their grant funds or $3 million to provide these services to claimants as soon as they file an initial unemployment claim. The bill also clarifies that a state cannot automatically deny eligibility based on a claimant’s decision not to participate in these early services, and it ensures states won’t be penalized for providing these services before an ineligibility determination.