Cory Mason, Bob Wirch Introducing New Unemployment Bill

Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) and State Senator Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha) are introducing a bill that would remove the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits.

The state legislature recently passed an extension of 13 weeks of federal unemployment benefits that affects approximately 40,000 Wisconsin residents. Senate Democrats back in July attached an amendment removing the one-week wait and the bill passed with bipartisan support in the senate.

In the Assembly, however, Republicans balked at the amendment and the bill passed without it, sending it back to the senate where it finally passed on Aug. 1 with the waiting period re-instated.

“Racine has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. We have an obligation to provide a safety net for all laid-off workers, whether they have been unemployed for months in this tough economy or just received that dreaded pink slip,” Mason said in a joint written statement.

“A one-week waiting period might not seem long to some people, but for those living paycheck-to-paycheck, a week with no income is devastating,” said Wirch in the same statement. “This money has a big impact on our communities.  People receiving these benefits are using them – to pay rent, buy groceries, pay bills – spending them at our local businesses.”

Mason and Wirch are taking the bill to their colleagues today, Aug. 11, for additional support. They plan to formally introduce the bill next week.

If You Are Unemployed

... and you stopped filing: Start filing again right away. It may take a few days for the system to catch up, but it will.

... and you continued filing: Keep doing what you're doing. You should receive a check almost right away.

... and you are new to unemployment: Call the Department of Workforce Development Unemployment Insurance at 1-800-822-5246 to start your claim right away. You can also go online by clicking here.