ATTENTION ARTISTS!! MUSICIANS!! GIG WORKERS!! ENTREPRENEURS!!
This is a pressing
CALL TO ACTION FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED NATIONWIDE
As you know, Congressional leaders passed a bipartisan, $900 billion COVID relief package Sunday night. The legislation includes critical provisions on unemployment, assistance for small businesses and the arts and music industry, tax credits for paid leave, and individual assistance.
There is one nuance in particular to which I want to call your attention: The MIXED EARNER UNEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT is a NEW PROGRAM that was created for mixed earners that provides a federally-funded $100 per week additional benefit to individuals who have at least $5,000 a year in self-employment income but are disqualified from receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance because they are eligible for regular state unemployment benefits. The mixed-earner weekly supplemental benefit would be added to the $300 weekly unemployment supplement (FPUC). The mixed earner program would terminate along with FPUC on March 14, 2021.
This is a great asset within the package but is only beneficial if people can access it. Unfortunately, this resource is not guaranteed. In fact, GOVERNORS MUST OPT IN in order for mixed earners in their state to participate in this benefit. While it’s a no brainer from where I sit, I also realize with this kind of program comes more paperwork and time on staff members in each state, as they are responsible for managing this resource. Our fear is that some states will not opt to participate for this reason.
The kicker – STATES MUST OPT IN BY SATURDAY 12/26 in order for mixed earners to ultimately be able to receive funding during all weeks of the program.
Yes, a tight timeline. I know we are all tired and ready for a break – it has been a crazy year. But this will have a significant impact on our people if they are able to access additional funds – that’s food on tables, mortgages paid, peace of mind…
Governors and the Department of Labor need to know why this program matters.
I encourage you to reach out to one or all of these entities and encourage them to opt in by the deadline for the Mixed Earner Unemployment Support:
