Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 134 providing furloughed employees increased access to unemployment benefits

On April 20, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 134 "Allowing Businesses Flexibility to Make Payments That Assist Their Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic." The Order allows employers to temporarily furlough employees and provide "COVID-19 Support Payments" without interfering with those employees' eligibility for unemployment benefits. An employer's COVID-19 Support Payment Plan must meet certain requirements set forth in the Executive Order and be submitted to the Division of Employment Security.

This Order comes after the North Carolina Division of Employment Security has received an unprecedented volume of unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. For further information on unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, see our COVID-19 resources page HERE.