Whether you’re in the middle of a PUA claim or you’re considering applying, there are some things to consider before filing your claim. The first thing you should know is that you’re not guaranteed a payment, but you’ll likely receive a lower payment than you would with a regular unemployment benefit. Generally, the payments run about a third to half as large. In addition, you can expect a delay if your claims are fraud-checked.
PUA payments tend to run smaller than regular UI claims
Whether you’re looking for a new job or trying to get back to work, you’re likely eligible for personal unemployment assistance. This federally funded program provides benefits for workers who are ineligible for regular state unemployment insurance, such as self-employed individuals or independent contractors.
The PUA program was initially designed to provide an extra $600 per week to workers who had recently lost their jobs. This was intended to help workers cover 3-6 weeks of unemployment while the economy recovered. Unfortunately, the program was unable to adjust quickly enough to handle the large number of claimants.
During the pandemic, the federal government sought to expand eligibility for UI benefits. Several proposals were put forward to provide benefits to self-employed individuals and new entrants to the labor market. However, the implementation of these plans was complicated by the limited capacity of state agencies to administer supplemental payments.
PUA recipients with active claims as of or after December 27th
Approximately 7.3 million workers will have exhausted their PUA benefits before the end of the year. However, they can still receive weekly payments in several states.
To qualify for the program, you must have a valid PUA application, proof of self-employment, and a proof of income. You must submit all this information within a week. The state will then determine whether or not you are eligible for the benefit. You will be provided a link to reapply for the benefit.
PUA claims are payable to people who have been forced out of work due to a pandemic. The benefits are available to part-time and independent contractors.
Extended state benefits may be available in states where unemployment rates are higher than pre-specified thresholds
During periods of high unemployment, Extended Benefits are provided to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation benefits. However, not everyone qualifies for this additional compensation. Those who receive Extended Benefits must make a sustained and systematic effort to find work. This is especially true if the labor market has been weak for a long time.
State agencies must maintain records relating to Extended Benefits. These may include documents such as job listings, resumes, and job applications. The Department of Labor can designate Federal officials to inspect these records.
The basic Extended Benefits program provides 13 weeks of additional benefits. In some states, a voluntary program is available to provide an additional seven weeks of benefits during times of extremely high unemployment.
FPUC unemployment benefits at $300 per week
During the onset of the pandemic jobs crisis, the federal government offered additional unemployment benefits to claimants. This was referred to as the “Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program,” and it provided an additional $300 per week.
The program is part of the CARES Act, and it is available to certain claimants. The additional benefits are designed to help workers recover lost wages. It also provides a boost to workers in states with high unemployment levels.
The FPUC benefit was designed to supplement the more traditional state unemployment benefit programs. The extra $300 per week is included with each regular UI benefit payment. However, it does not count toward rental assistance or SNAP benefits.
Fraud checks are a big reason for PUA delays
Besides the requisite paperwork, state UI agencies have encountered some teething issues when it comes to rolling out the PUA program. They are required to implement the trifecta: provide information on the new program, send out instructions for refiling a claim, and notify affected claimants. The federal government has also helped the cause by releasing guidance on how states should implement the aforementioned trifecta.
The most important part of this puzzle is implementing the right procedures to ensure that the benefits are delivered on time. In some cases, claimants are already receiving weekly payments, per state law. If not, they may need to reopen their claims or apply for a new ones. Some states even offer additional weeks of coverage on top of their PUA program.
Extended state benefits expired on September 6, 2021
During the last economic recession, the federal government created the Extended Benefits program. This program is designed to extend unemployment insurance benefits to individuals during high unemployment. It authorizes a claimant to receive an additional six weeks of benefit payments.
The program is only available if an individual has already received all regular state unemployment benefits. However, a state may opt to continue providing some aid. It is also important to note that some states have implemented a voluntary program to pay up to seven extra weeks when unemployment levels are high. This is in response to vulnerable workers who cannot get hired because they are not well-versed in the labor market.