Please distribute this notice to all individuals within your organization who may need the information in connection with their work.
Unemployment and sickness benefits payable under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA) for days claimed beginning January 3, 2021 will be exempt from sequestration until 30 days after the Presidential declaration of a national emergency concerning COVID-19 terminates in accordance with the Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act of 2020 (CARWA).
Beginning January 3, 2021, the unreduced amount of sickness or unemployment benefits paid to a claimant will be charged to the claimant’s base year employer’s benefit account balance and consequently will be used when calculating the base year employer’s experience rated RUIA contribution rate for any future years.
Any special extended unemployment benefits as well as unemployment and sickness benefits now allowed due to the elimination of the 1-week waiting period under CARWA will be charged to funds previously appropriated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. These benefits will not be charged to the claimant’s base year employer’s benefit account balance and consequently will not be used when calculating the base year employer’s experience rated RUIA contribution rate for any future years.
The removal of sequestration is a temporary measure. We will provide more information at such time when we are instructed to reinstate this provision of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended.
If you have any questions regarding the removal of sequestration on benefits paid based on the Continued Assistance to Rail Workers Act of 2020, please contact the Railroad Retirement Board’s Quality Reporting Service Center at (312) 751-4992.