The bill, the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act, would also make the self-employed, gig workers, new graduates and others a permanent fixture of the unemployment safety net. Such workers, who are typically ineligible for state aid, would qualify for a $250 weekly Jobseeker Allowance benefit, paid by the federal government for up to six months and indexed annually for inflation. The amount and length may increase during times of high unemployment. Similarly, state benefits would also be more responsive to economic downturns and rising joblessness. It makes other tweaks, too. For example, states wouldn't be able to deny jobless aid to workers who quit their job for "compelling" reasons, like the loss of childcare or unusual risks to health or safety, and irregular work schedules — all of which have come into play during the pandemic.