Today Governor Doug Ducey announced Arizona’s plan to support Arizonans getting back to work, and fill the thousands of jobs available across the state.
A brief outline of our actions are stated below, but you can find the news release, which has more in-depth information HERE.
Arizona will offer a $2,000 Back To Work bonus for eligible workers — with a goal of getting as many Arizonans as possible to rejoin the workforce by Labor Day, September 6, 2021. Unemployment Actions & Return to Work Bonuses With this new program, Arizona will stop taking the federal government’s pandemic unemployment benefits effective Saturday, July 10. The bonus will be awarded when the individual has left the unemployment insurance program and completed at least 10 weeks of work with an employer, and be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The individual must also make $25 per hour or less, equivalent to a yearly salary of $52,000, at their new job and must begin working by Labor Day — Monday, September 6. Education Incentives: The State will also provide $7.5 million for community college scholarships for currently unemployed workers who are eligible for the Return-to-Work bonuses — as well as $6 million for GED test preparation and exam fees for eligible workers without a high school diploma.
Childcare for Returning Workers
Additionally, the State will provide three months of child care assistance for individuals with children who return to work after collecting unemployment benefits. To be eligible, an individual must have already filed for unemployment benefits and earn $25 per hour, equivalent to a yearly salary of $52,000, or less at their new job.