This article is an edited version from Forbes, May 18,2021

By Shahar Ziv, Contributor

$2,000 Bonus In Arizona

Governor Doug Ducey announced on May 13 that Arizona would no longer take the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit. “In Arizona, we’re going to use federal money to encourage people to work…instead of paying people not to work,” he said in a news release. Ducey’s claim is disputed by the Biden administration, which argues that the extra benefit is not the primary driver of labor shortages.

Arizona is planning to use $300 million in federal funds to provide residents who return to work full-time by September 6, a $2,000 bonus. Those who return part-time could receive a $1,000 bonus. To qualify for the return-to-work bonus, Arizonians must meet a set of conditions including already receiving unemployment aid, start working at a job where they earn less than $25 an hour (Arizona’s minimum wage is $12.15 an hour). Additionally, individuals must first complete 10 weeks of work with a new employer to qualify. While this requirement is undoubtedly in place to reduce individuals from gaming the system, it also means that Arizonans will have to wait at least 2.5 months (and probably longer) until they receive the bonus.

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