Benefits

Debate Intensifies as Ohio Battles Over Reinstatement of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

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Columbus, Ohio — In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio found itself at the center of a heated legal battle over the premature cessation of federal unemployment benefits. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, designed to aid workers typically ineligible for unemployment such as gig workers and freelancers, had been a crucial support system during the pandemic’s peak economic turmoil. Despite this, in 2021, the program was abruptly discontinued under the direction of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, sparking widespread criticism and a lawsuit aimed to reinstate these vital payments. At … Read more

Danbury Offers $125,000 Settlement to Ex-Finance Director Amid Dispute Over Retirement Deal and Unpaid Benefits

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Danbury, Connecticut – In a recent legal twist, the city of Danbury has proposed a $125,000 settlement to its former finance director, David St. Hilaire, in an effort to resolve a lawsuit where he alleges unjust termination and failure to uphold a retirement agreement negotiated in 2022. This settlement offer was put forward last week in a Connecticut Superior Court by Danbury’s city attorney, Michael Rose. The dispute originated after the city accused St. Hilaire of improperly accepting a $350,000 payout for unused vacation time, an allegation he firmly denies. The disagreements escalated following claims … Read more

Pentagon to Honorably Upgrade 35,000 LGBTQ Veterans’ Discharge Records, Restoring Earned Benefits

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In a historic move, the Pentagon has announced a significant shift in policy that will affect approximately 35,000 LGBTQ veterans. These individuals, who were previously discharged under conditions that were considered “other than honorable” due to their sexual orientation, will now see their statuses upgraded to “honorable.” This resolution comes as the result of a class-action lawsuit initiated in 2023, challenging the long-standing repercussions faced by service members ousted under the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policies. Lily Steffanides, an instrumental plaintiff in the lawsuit, expressed profound relief and liberation following the announcement. Having been … Read more

President Biden Set to Sign Landmark Bill Granting Full Social Security Benefits to Millions of Retired Public Workers

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WASHINGTON — Nearly three million retirees who have been denied full Social Security benefits due to their public pensions are set to receive them thanks to new legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden on Monday. The Social Security Fairness Act eradicates longstanding federal policies that have reduced benefits for public service workers, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters. For decades, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) diminished the Social Security payments of individuals whose careers were predominantly in positions not covered by Social Security. This legislation, long overdue, … Read more