WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Indiana’s vaccine eligibility has been expanded twice so far this week. On Monday, pre-K through high school teachers and staff, Hoosiers who work at childcare centers, in Head Start and Early Start programs, licensed childcare providers, classroom aides, bus drivers, janitors, counselors, administration staff, cafeteria workers, and substitute teachers became eligible to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. This morning, sign-ups opened for Hoosiers ages 45-49. Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers still qualify to sign up for the vaccine, as well. If you qualify, you can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 2-1-1 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development released employment data for January 2021. Indiana’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average of 6.8%. However, the Unemployment rate is up to 4.7%, from 3.5% in January 2020. By county, both Brown and Lawrence counties are in the top 30 counties, each with a 4.7% unemployment rate. Monroe sits in the top 50 with a 4% unemployment rate.
As part of the American Rescue Plan, which passed in congress last week, Indiana’s Unemployment Insurance forms have gone through a few changes. You can once again choose that you were laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic when choosing the reason you are currently out of work. The state has also added another important choice, that “I was denied continued unemployment benefits because I refused to return to work or accept an offer of work at a worksite that, in either instance, is not in compliance with local, state, or national health and safety standards directly related to COVID-19,”. This option includes businesses that do not enforce a mask mandate, and businesses that do not provide adequate personal protective equipment.
You can file for unemployment benefits at IN.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment.
