The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law on March 27, 2020, provides relief to families, small businesses, and individuals who are self-employed and independent contractors. A key provision in the law creates a temporary “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” (PUA) program that extends unemployment benefits to those not traditionally eligible, including self-employed individuals.

While the state works to develop a system to process these PUA claims, AR Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) has set up a portal for independent contractors to enter contact information. ADWS is not yet taking claim information, but they will email all the persons who sign up to let them know when the system is set up to receive claim information.

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