How to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

The system for applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) came online late afternoon on April 21.

PUA is a federal benefit available to workers who are unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and do not qualify for Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI). This includes:

• Independent contractors
• Self-employed workers
• Non-profit employees
• Part-time workers who do not have enough work history to be eligible for a claim

To be eligible for PUA, your reason for no longer working must fall within one of the COVID-19 Scenarios.

The maximum PUA weekly benefit rate is $370, with the minimum rate at $163. This program is 100% federally funded and is available for 39 weeks beginning the week ending February 8, 2020 through the week ending December 26, 2020. Individuals receiving PUA may also receive the $600 weekly benefit amount under the Federal Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). FPUC is a temporary emergency increase of $600 per week in unemployment benefits. It is automatically added to PUA or other unemployment benefits and does not require an additional application.

How to Apply

Follow this link for detailed instructions on how to apply to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: How to Apply