Laid-off iron ore and related workers could get extra unemployment payments

Eligible applicants could receive additional unemployment payments. The rules cover workers laid off for lack of work from an iron ore mining employer, or from an explosive manufacturing employer serving a mining employer when that mining employer's shutdown or major cut in operations caused the layoff. Applicants must meet the regular unemployment benefit rules, use up their regular benefits, and have at least half of their wage credits from a qualifying employer. Applicants who applied for and were found eligible for federal Trade Readjustment Allowance payments cannot receive these additional payments. The weekly amount matches the regular benefit amount, and the maximum is 26 weeks of payments. The layoff must have happened on or after November 1, 2025, and before March 15, 2026. The mining employer must have laid off at least 40 percent of its workforce on or after March 15, 2025, and before June 16, 2025. Payments may cover weeks through the week ending March 20, 2027.

Applicants who qualify for a new regular benefit account must apply for it and use benefits in the order set by the account amounts. These rules apply after an applicant uses up regular benefits from the layoff and qualifies for a new regular benefit account. If the new account's weekly payment is at least as large as the additional payment, applicants must use up the new account's benefits before receiving additional payments. If the new account's weekly payment is smaller, applicants must use up the additional payments before receiving new-account benefits.