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HD 5160

A communication from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (see Section 14F of Chapter 151A of the General Laws) relative to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund for August, 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The UI Trust Fund ends Aug 2025 with $2.16B balance, $1.28B in employer contributions, and $1.56B in benefits, plus a Dec 1, 2025 payment to resolve pandemic overdraws.

Placed on file
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Bill Summary · HD 5160

Summary of HD 5160: Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Information — August 2025

Purpose and Nature

  • HD 5160 is a communication from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to the Legislature, reporting on the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund for August 2025.
  • The bill is classified as a proposed bill and has been placed on file, signaling a formal informational update rather than a substantive policy change requiring legislative action.

What the communication covers

  • August 2025 UI Trust Fund status and related financial activity.
  • An explanation of a pandemic-era overdraws liability resolution with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and its impact on August 2025 projections.
  • Availability of UI Trust Fund data and visuals for public access.

Key Financial Snapshot (as of August 31, 2025)

  • Ending balance of the UI Trust Fund: $2.16 billion.
  • Employer contributions (year-to-date through Aug. 31, 2025): $1.28 billion.
  • Benefits paid (regular UI, year-to-date through Aug. 31, 2025): $1.56 billion for 569,567 initial and continuing claims.
  • Data reflects actual dollars collected or disbursed; projections incorporate the pandemic-era overdraws resolution.

Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Overdraws Resolution

  • On January 17, 2025, Massachusetts entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to fully resolve outstanding liabilities from pandemic UI overdraws.
  • The first payment under this agreement is due December 1, 2025.
  • The August 2025 projections incorporate the impact of this agreement as reported in the UI Trust Fund Quarterly Outlooks.

Data Transparency and Access

  • The UI Trust Fund data are publicly accessible at Mass.gov/UITrustFund, including data visualizations covering August 2024 through August 2025.

Who and What Is Affected

  • Primary: Massachusetts UI Trust Fund administration, funded by employer contributions and used to pay UI benefits.
  • Secondary: Employers and workers who contribute to or rely on unemployment insurance, as well as policymakers who monitor the fund’s status and projections.
  • This filing provides lawmakers with current financial context to inform any future discussions on unemployment insurance funding, tax rates, or reserves, though no new policy changes are proposed in this document.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Status: Placed on file (2025-09-25).
  • Not a bill proposing new rules; rather, a formal informational update required to accompany the UI Trust Fund reporting for August 2025.
  • Ongoing data reporting and the December 1, 2025 payment under the pandemic overdraws agreement are notable future milestones.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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