A Missouri bill would change the length of unemployment benefits based on the state’s unemployment rate

A Missouri bill would change the length of unemployment benefits based on the state’s unemployment rate. The General Law committee held a hearing for the bill on Wednesday. Bill sponsor and Republican Mike Bernskoetter says businesses are struggling to get employees to work. Former Senator Jacob Hummel disagrees. He says it takes months for people to find a job.

Currently, people can claim unemployment benefits for up to twenty weeks. However, the new legislation would modify this policy. Depending on the unemployment rate, benefits could max out at eight weeks.