Thursday, March 11, 2021 Upon taking office, President Joe Biden, through an executive order, instructed the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to review prior guidance on the availability of an individual to receive unemployment benefits if the individual has refused to return to work or take new work due to a fear of contracting COVID-19. On February 25, 2021, the DOL issued new guidance related to a return to work under a scenario in which an individual feels unsafe. The DOL also extended unemployment coverage to educational workers and individuals impacted by part-time or reduced hours work. The DOL’s Unemployment Insurance Program Letter No. 16-20, Change 5 instructs state unemployment agencies that individuals in the following three circumstances and categories are eligible to receive unemployment benefits: