For Immediate Release
December 21, 2020
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
505.250.3926
NMDWS preparing for possible passage of
Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act
States await U.S. Department of Labor guidance
(Albuquerque, NM) – The United States Congress is working on legislation that may extend the unemployment benefits programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). If the legislation is enacted, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) will work to implement program updates as quickly as possible. However, the department must wait on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor before the provisions of the Act can be implemented.
"The staff at Workforce Solutions is working hard to get as much help to people as possible as quickly as we can," said Bill McCamley, NMDWS Secretary. "Please help us by giving us some patience and time through this process, and we promise we will get these new programs in place as fast as possible."
If you have an existing claim, you do not need to take any further action. NMDWS will automatically update your claim and inform you of your potential eligibility.
Do not call the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center regarding this extension. The department will provide further information to all claimants on our website and through other communication channels as soon as it is available.
Note: NMDWS cannot take any action prior to the effective date of any new legislation. The CARES Act expires on December 31, 2020, but the last date NMDWS can pay benefits under that act is December 26, 2020.
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