(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Workforce Development has updated its leave policy for filing unemployment insurance benefits following the enactment of the federal coronavirus relief bill. Iowa Workforce says, employees who are or will be laid off, or are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19, will no longer be required to use all paid leave prior to being eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

This change is not retroactive and claims will not be backdated prior to the week of March 29th for new or existing claims. The federal bill known as the CARES ACT provides funding to help sustain the Iowa Unemployment Trust Fund, which is funded entirely by employers doing business in Iowa and is the source of all benefit payments.

For more information, see the Iowa Workforce Development website.