Updated March 1, 2021. On February 25, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a change to Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (“UIPL”) No. 16-20 that, among other things, expands the criteria under which workers may be eligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The new eligibility criteria cover (i) workers receiving unemployment benefits who had their continued regular unemployment benefits claims denied after they refused to work or accept an offer of work at a worksite not in compliance with COVID-19 health and safety standards; (ii) workers who were laid off, or who have had their work hours reduced as a direct result of the pandemic; or (iii) school employees working without a contract or reasonable assurance of continued employment who face reduced paychecks and no assurance of continued pay when schools are closed due to COVID-19. These updates have been incorporated into this memorandum.