One Week After A Court Order, Indiana Still Has No Plans To Pay Benefits

Last week, an Indiana judge ordered the state to restart federal unemployment benefits. But so far, the state hasn’t released any firm plans to follow that order as it asks a higher court to halt it. 

Although the Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case, it could take anywhere from a week to a month before they issue any decisions. Meanwhile, the state argues an agreement to pay benefits between the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the U.S. Department of Labor is over.

State lawyers say they’re not sure they can create a new one and a DWD spokesperson says there is no update.

For its part, the federal labor department has confirmed it is talking with DWD and reviewing the ongoing litigation. It would not comment on if there was interest or even an ability to create a benefit payment agreement on their end.

Indiana Legal Services – lawyers representing unemployed workers in the case – say the state is still legally obligated to restart federal unemployment benefits. They say the state’s ongoing delay is causing "irreparable harm" to unemployed Hoosiers.

Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.