Claimants qualified for PUA if one of the following applied to them:
- Self-employed;
- Independent contractor;
- Worked for an app-based company (i.e. ...
- Farmer;
- Diagnosed with COVID-19 or had COVD-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis;
- Lived with a household member who had been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- Provided care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19;
How do I know if I am eligible for Pua?
- You have been diagnosed with or are experiencing symptoms of COVID and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
- A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID.
- You are providing care for a family member or a member of your household who has been diagnosed COVID.
What does Pua eligibility mean?
PUA Issue Codes and Their Meanings To be eligible for PUA benefits, a person must have discontinued working due directly to at least one of the fourteen COVID-19 reasons outlined in federal law, and then the person must continue being unemployed for one of those reasons for each week when claiming PUA benefits.
What are requirements for Pua?
How Do I Apply?
- You should contact your state's unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
- Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. ...
- When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. ...
Is Pua considered income?
Yes. Just like regular unemployment compensation, PUA is considered income for Medicaid, CHIP, and subsidized Marketplace insurance eligibility purposes. See Operations Memorandum #20-05-02 . What is FPUC?
Do I qualify for the additional $300 in federal benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The additional $300/week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation is available to claimants receiving unemployment benefits under the state or federal regular unemployment compensation programs (UCFE, UCX, PEUC, PUA, EB, STC, TRA, DUA, and SEA). The funds are available for any weeks of unemployment beginning after Dec. 26, 2020, and ending on or before March 14, 2021. You don’t need to apply separately to receive this supplemental amount.
Are self-employed, independent contractor and gig workers eligible for the new COVID-19 unemployment benefits?
See full answerSelf-employed workers, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and people who have not worked long enough to qualify for the other types of unemployment assistance may still qualify for PUA if they are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of the applicable state law and certify that they are unemployed, partially unemployed or unable or unavailable to work for one of the following COVID-19 reasons:You have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have symptoms, and are seeking a medical diagnosis.A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19.You are caring for a family member of a member of your household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.A child or other person in your household for whom you have primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of COVID-19 and the school or facility care is required for you to work.
Who is considered to be essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Essential (critical infrastructure) workers include health care personnel and employees in other essential workplaces (e.g., first responders and grocery store workers).
Can I get unemployment assistance if I am partially employed under the CARES Act?
A gig economy worker, such as a driver for a ride-sharing service, is eligible for PUA provided that he or she is unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work for one or more of the qualifying reasons provided for by the CARES Act.
Who is eligible for PUA?
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) extends unemployment benefits to eligible self-employed workers, including: 2. Freelancers and independent contractors. Workers seeking part-time work. Workers who don't have a work history long enough to qualify for state unemployment insurance benefits. Workers who otherwise wouldn't qualify ...
What is PUA in unemployment?
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a program that temporarily expands unemployment insurance (UI) eligibility to self-employed workers, freelancers, independent contractors, and part-time workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. PUA is one of the programs originally established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, ...
What are the new programs under the Cares Act?
In addition to the PUA program, the CARES Act extended unemployment benefits through two other initiatives: the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.
When was PUA created?
PUA is one of the programs originally established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion coronavirus emergency stimulus package that President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27, 2020. The act expanded states' ability to provide unemployment insurance to many workers affected by COVID-19, ...
What is the FPUC?
FPUC is a flat amount given to people who receive unemployment insurance, including those who get a partial unemployment benefit check. It applies to people who receive benefits under PUA and PEUC. The original amount of $600 was reduced to $300 per week after the program was extended in August 2020.
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits after being exhausted?
Extends benefits up to an extra 53 weeks after regular unemployment compensation benefits are exhausted. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Provides a federal benefit of $300 a week through Sept. 6, 2021. Provided $600 a week through July 31, 2020.
What are some examples of PUA?
Examples of the types of workers targeted by the PUA program include freelancers, part-time “gig workers,” and those who are self-employed. To qualify, workers must certify they are unable to work due to one or several conditions related to COVID-19.
What is PUA in unemployment?
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program. This is a newly available emergency unemployment assistance program under the federal CARES Act. PUA provides assistance for unemployed or partially unemployed individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance and who are unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related ...
How much is PUA in 2020?
If you qualify for PUA the initial payments you will receive are as follows: $167.00 per week, for each week from February 2, 2020 to March 28, 2020 that you were unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason . AND.
How often do you have to backdate your PUA?
If you qualify for your claim to be backdated to an earlier PUA effective date based on your last day of work, you could receive payment for prior weeks you were unemployed due to COVID-19. You will be required to provide the EDD eligibility information every two weeks. This is known as certifying for benefits.
When does PUA end?
Similarly, the PUA program has a legislative end date of 12/31/20, but for most Californians the last full week of benefits will end on 12/26/20. 1.
What does it mean when you collect unemployment?
This means that you were qualified for regular UI but have exhausted those benefits, as well as any extended benefits. 2.
How much is unemployment in 2020?
AND. $167.00 per week, for each week from July 26, 2020 to December 26, 2020, that you are unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason, up to a total of 39 weeks (minus any weeks of regular UI and certain extended UI benefits that you have received).
When does the $600 CARES Act end?
Last week is week ending December 26, 2020.**. ** Under the CARES Act of 2020, the $600 additional benefits are available through 07/31/20. However, the U.S. DOL has issued guidance to clarify that, for most Californians, the last full week of benefits will end on 07/25/20. Similarly, the PUA program has a legislative end date of 12/31/20, ...
What is PUA in unemployment?
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a federal program that was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program provides support for Americans who are unable to work due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but do not qualify for traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI).
Why is my unemployment claim pending?
In some cases, additional information must be obtained before payment can be made and your payment may take longer. Any claim you file will be backdated to the date you became unemployed. If you are eligible, you will be paid for all benefits due.
Should I certify weekly while on PUA?
Instead, PUA claimants should continue to certify weekly while unemployed to continue receiving the benefits they are eligible for. Claimants who are receiving traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI), should reapply if they continue to be unemployed when their benefit year has ended.
When does the PUA end?
The PUA program provides up to 39 weeks of benefits, which are available retroactively starting with weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 27, 2020, and ending on or before December 31, 2020.
What is suitable employment?
Typically, suitable employment is connected to the previous job’s wage level, type of work, and the claimant’s skills. Refusing an offer of suitable employment (as defined in state law) without good cause will often disqualify individuals from continued eligibility for unemployment compensation.
What is UIPL 20-20?
UIPL 20-20: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 - Operating, Financial, and Reporting Instructions for Section 2105: Temporary Full Federal Funding of the First Week of Compensable Regular Unemployment for States with No Waiting Week. UIPL 18-20: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARE S) ...
How to make sure your unemployment claim is not delayed?
When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information. Find the contact information for your state's unemployment office to start your claim.
How do I file for unemployment?
How Do I Apply? 1 You should contact your state's unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. 2 Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states. 3 When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information. 4 Find the contact information for your state's unemployment office to start your claim.
Does the Cares Act apply to unemployment?
Yes, depending on how your state chooses to implement the CARES Act. The new law creates the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program (FPUC), which provides an additional $600 per week to individuals who are collecting regular UC (including Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX), PEUC, PUA, Extended Benefits (EB), Short Time Compensation (STC), Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and payments under the Self Employment Assistance (SEA) program). This benefit is available for weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on which your state entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31, 2020.
Can I get PUA if I am a gig economy worker?
You may be eligible for PUA, depending on your personal circumstances. A gig economy worker, such as a driver for a ride-sharing service, is eligible for PUA provided that he or she is unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work for one or more of the qualifying reasons provided for by the CARES Act. For example, a driver for a ride-sharing service may be forced to quit his or her job if he or she was diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified medical professional, and although the driver no longer has COVID-19, the illness caused health complications that render the driver objectively unable to perform his or her essential job functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Similarly, under an additional eligibility criterion established by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to 2102 (a) (3) (A) (ii) (I) (kk), a driver who receives an IRS Form 1099 from the ride-sharing service may qualify for PUA benefits if he or she has been forced to suspend operations as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as if an emergency state or municipal order restricting movement makes continued operations unsustainable. Relatedly, widespread social distancing undertaken in response to guidance from federal, state, or local governments may so severely reduce customer demand for a driver’s services as to force him or her to suspend operations, and thus make the driver eligible for PUA.
Overview
In March of 2020, the federal government created Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (or PUA), a program that provided support for Americans who were unable to work due to the Coronavirus pandemic but did not qualify for traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI). The Continued Assistance Act (CAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) When must I provide my proof of employment, self-employment, or proof of the planned beginning of employment or self-employment?
Eligibility
- PUA benefits were available if you did not qualify for regular unemployment benefits and were out of business or had significantly reduced your services as a direct result of the pandemic. The following were eligible for PUA: 1. Business owners. 2. Self-employed workers. 3. Independent contractors. 4. People with a limited work history. 5. People w...
Self-Employment and Employment Documentation
- Federal rules require that you provide documentation to prove you were, or planned to be, self-employed or employed at some point during the calendar year before and up to the start of your PUA claim. For example: 1. If your claim started in December 2020, you will need to provide documentation for some time between January 1, 2019, and the start date of your claim in 2020…
Pua Reassessment
- Recent federal guidance added three new reasons and updated the existing reasons unemployed Californians can use to explain why they were out of work during the COVID-19 public health emergency. If you were previously denied benefits for one or more weeks under the PUA program, you will receive a message in your UI Online account with instructions on how to complete the P…
Benefit Payments
- Certification
After your account is set up, you must “certify” for your benefit payments. Certifyingis answering basic questions every two weeks that tells us you were unemployed and eligible to receive payments. Note: With a PUA claim, you can only certify online or by mail for weeks of unemploy…
Your Claim Date
- Your claim start date was the Sunday of the week you applied for unemployment. For PUA applications received on or after December 27, 2020, the earliest start date for a claim was December 6, 2020.
Additional Resources
- America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM– Provides employment assistance.
- COVID-19: Unemployment Claims– Learn what to expect after you file your claim