The
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (
CARES) Act created a special program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). This program provides federally funded benefits distinct from the UI program for certain individuals out of work or partially unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis, including those who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits.
Federal guidelines on how to administer PUA include gig workers as an example of those eligible for PUA.
- Under PUA, individuals can receive weekly unemployment assistance that may be equivalent to what individuals get under UI
- PUA individuals qualify for the additional $600 per week for the time period of
March 29 - July 31
- PUA is retroactive, paying individuals who suffered loss of income due to COVID19 from February 2 - December 31
- Payment turnaround time of 24-28 hours after a completed and successful application
The Employment Development Department will stand up a One-Stop Shop for individuals applying for unemployment insurance and the new federal PUA program starting April 28, 2020.
Read about the PUA program
here
.