June 23, 2020
L&I will be opening claim weeks to allow you to file for them on certain days based on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN).
For PUA claimants not impacted with any missed claim weeks, during the roll-out of this solution, you also must file your normal weekly certification on the date assigned to your SSN.
Individuals should not use the backdate option from their PUA dashboard. Filing for past weeks is not the same as backdating a claim and will prevent you from being able to claim the previously-unavailable weeks.
How do I claim weeks that I’m missing?
- On the date that your SSN falls under on the schedule, log into the PUA system to file your weekly certification.
- You will be presented with the oldest week that you have not been able to file for, first. File your certification for this week.
- If you have additional missed weeks to file for, you will then see a message stating, “If at this time you wish to file your weekly certification (week beginning Day, Month ##, 2020 and ending Day, Month ##, 2020) click Yes. Otherwise click no.” For example: Select “Yes, I would like to continue” to continue claiming weeks you’ve been unable to file for. When you select “Yes,” it will save your information for the week you just certified and will provide the next available week for you to file your weekly certification.
- You’ll continue this process until you’ve filed all missed weeks that you’ve been unable to claim.
PUA Payments
Once you’re able to file for the missing claim weeks, you’ll receive your PUA benefit payments via the UC-issued debit card.
If you do not currently have a UC-issued debit card, you will receive one in the U.S. mail. If you received a UC-issued debit card, but discarded it or lost it, contact U.S. Bank Reliacard for a replacement at 888-233-5916. Your PUA benefit payments will switch from direct deposit to the UC-issued debit cards starting on or around June 16 until further notice.
The debit card change is necessary to combat fraudulent attempts to obtain PUA benefits. Pennsylvania PUA claimants will receive deposits onto debit cards as their payment method until direct deposit payments resume.
Feel free to contact any member of our team at (610) 828-1900 (PA) or (732) 341-3893 (NJ) with questions. Rich Higgins, CPA, managing principal – New Jersey office can be contacted at
Richard.Higgins@MCC-CPAs.com
. I can be reached at
Marty.McCarthy@MCC-CPAs.com
. As always, we are happy to help.
Stay safe,
Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Managing Partner
McCarthy & Company
Disclaimer: This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Information contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used as tax advice, and cannot be used by the recipient to avoid penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. We strongly advise you to seek professional assistance with respect to your specific issue(s).
