Layoffs Not Reason to Discontinue Benefits, Department Says

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is reminding employers, insurers and claims administrators that a layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic is not a reason to discontinue workers' compensation benefits. Department officials said that a number of workers have received notices of intention to discontinue benefits after the virus shutdown took effect. “When employers began to lay off workers or close businesses, injured workers who were receiving weekly benefits were often receiving notices of discontinuances for reasons that were not appropriate,” department officials ...