Today Governor  Roy Cooper   extended the stay at home order until May 8 and laid out a three phase plan to reopen the state as we meet goals in testing, tracing, and trends :

- Phase 1 : Modified stay at home order with many businesses opening back up, continued social distancing, encouraged teleworking & face covering.

- Phase 2 : Lift stay at home order. Allow limited opening of houses of worship, restaurants, bars, entertainment, etc. with reduced capacity.

- Phase 3 : Reduce overall restrictions and only limit mass gatherings.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) : This program provides an additional $600 in weekly unemployment insurance benefits to eligible claimants. Currently testing the system for this program and anticipate making the first payments by April 17, 2020.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) : This program provides unemployment compensation for individuals not eligible for regular unemployment insurance or any extensions to unemployment insurance. This will provide benefits to eligible self-employed workers and independent contractors. We anticipate the system will be ready to accept claims for this assistance around April 25, 2020.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) : This program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits. A definitive timeline for completing system updates for this program is not yet available.

The Office of Senator Kirk deViere will continue to offer updates and resources via email and social media. Our office remains open to help with any constituent issues.

Contact: devierela@ncleg.net / (919) 733-5776