Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington on Friday issued a statement reminding unemployment compensation recipients that the state work search requirement — which has been temporarily waived throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — will resume at the beginning of 2021.

Prior to the pandemic, a work search was required for anyone receiving unemployment compensation benefits in the state of Alabama.

“We, along with most other states in the nation, waived that requirement early on because there were widespread shutdowns and layoffs that made it almost impossible for laid off workers to look for jobs,” stated Washington. “Now, as most all businesses have reopened and employers are hiring, we are reinstating that requirement.”

Beginning on January 1, Alabamians who receive unemployment compensation benefits in any program will be required to submit evidence of a work search to the Department of Labor.

This reportedly includes those receiving benefits under the following programs: regular UC, PEUC, PUA or the Alabama 5-week Training Extension program.

The work search requirement applies to all recipients regardless of the reason for unemployment.

Further details will be provided by the department prior to January.

For job search assistance, recipients can always visit their local career center for résumé tips, job training, educational and vocational programs, and more.

Learn more on the department’s website here.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn