Illinois will begin allowing workers with a psychiatrist-certified mental health disability to qualify for unemployment benefits starting Jan. 1, 25 News Now reported Dec. 30.
The three-year pilot program, authorized under the Unemployment Insurance Act, enables individuals to collect jobless benefits if they voluntarily leave a job due to a psychiatrist-certified mental health condition. To qualify, the disability must be severe enough to prevent the employee from working or the employer from making alternative arrangements, according to State Rep. Bill Hauter, MD.
Benefits will be determined based on the employee’s job or position, including the percentage of disability, and may be paid out through their insurance company, Dr. Hauter said. Reentry to the workforce will require a physician’s evaluation and approval from a state review panel, according to the report. If an individual cannot return to work based on that rating, they may receive a final payout.
The pilot program will run through December 2028.
