Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) which expands certain federal unemployment programs authorized by the CARES Act , including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ( PUA).

  • It will provide an additional 29 weeks of benefits, for a maximum of 79 weeks. The 29-week extension will be paid beginning with the benefit week ending March 20, 2021;
  • The PUA program has been extended through the benefit week ending September 4, 2021.
  • Weekly certifications will continue to be required. Under federal law, individuals who have exhausted benefits will not be eligible for benefit weeks prior to the benefit week ending March 20, 2021. Eligible claimants may apply for ARPA benefits beginning March 21 2021 and benefits will be paid beginning March 22, 2021.
  • All applicants receiving a PUA payment on or after December 27, 2020, must submit documentation of prior employment or self-employment, or planned employment or self-employment during the most recent tax year that ended earlier. from the date they filed their PUA application. Learn more about PUA employment verification .

PUA provides benefits to individuals who have exhausted their rights or are ineligible for any other unemployment program under state or federal law.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *