North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed an order expanding who qualifies for unemployment. | File Photo
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed an order expanding who qualifies for unemployment. | File Photo
Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order to provide unemployment benefits to people who have been furloughed and received a severance payment — a reversal of regulation that previously blocked these cases from receiving unemployment benefits.
“We know that this virus is taking a toll on our economy and on our workforce,” Cooper said according to The News & Observer on April 21, “and we can’t lose sight of how this virus is affecting our families in North Carolina.”
Since the coronavirus pandemic started, the state has paid $580 million in unemployment claims to 257,000 people.
Cooper also reported that he and his staff have been working with members of the Legislature to allocate federal funds that have been distributed to the state. He said small businesses will be an area of focus.
“Small business is the lifeblood of our economy,” Cooper said. “Many of the men and women who have built these businesses are struggling right now. We owe it to them to help keep them afloat until it’s safe to start easing the restrictions.”
Cooper is asked lawmakers to fund widespread testing and tracing of coronavirus cases; schools, state government services and small businesses; and local government assistance.
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