RI seeks tweaks in unemployment policy to get workforce back to work Patrick Anderson, The Providence Journal Gov. Dan McKee's administration is working with state lawmakers on a way to let more Rhode Islanders who return to work continue to take advantage of the bonus jobless benefits now flowing from Washington. Popular Searches Current law halts unemployment insurance benefits for any worker when they earn more in a week than their weekly benefit amount. And for those working part-time who are still eligible, it deducts the amount earned in a week from their weekly check. A bill introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat, would allow people in Rhode Island to earn 150% of their weekly benefit and still collect benefits — including the $300-per-week bonus unemployment benefit included in the December federal COVID relief package.