Pandemic Unemployment Benefits – You May Qualify for Help

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  The COVID-19 outbreak is tough for almost everyone out there. The pandemic had a direct effect on the country’s economy. It not only affects people’s lives, but also many people lost their jobs because of the coronavirus. Indeed, the year is tough, but the little relief is pandemic unemployment assistance.

If you have been impacted financially by the pandemic.  You may be eligible for assistance from 1 of 5 types of pandemic aid.  Millions of laid-off employees would benefit from a new bill that increases the quantity and length of unemployment payments.

The bill expands two pandemic-related services that support 14 million individuals and makes a $300 payout to all unemployment benefit recipients for a while.  It follows the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act by nine months and expands pandemic jobless benefits, namely Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for peer employees, consultants, and gig workers.

Different Types of CoronaVirus Unemployment Programs

Traditionally, states offer unemployment insurance, but March’s coronavirus relief act created three temporary federal unemployment services. The new bill established a new program for those with W-2 and self-employed jobs.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

This service initially offered up to 13 weeks of payments to those who had exhausted their normal unemployment benefits by July 1, 2019, or later. Under the proposed aid bill, this service was extended for an extra 11 weeks. You may qualify for this program if you are not taking advantage of regular unemployment insurance.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

This service FPUC was revived by the appropriations bill enacted in December, which provides $300 a week in addition to state and federal unemployment payments. To receive the $300 a week, you must register for jobless benefits through the state, which begins after December 26 and lasts until March 14, 2021.

Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation

A new program for self-employed contractors still working for a conventional W-2 employer was created as part of the December relief package. On top of standard unemployment insurance and the $300 in Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, this package offers an extra $100 a week. To be eligible, you must have received at least $5,000 in self-employed income in the previous tax year to be eligible. States have the option of not including this benefit.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

This service initially offered up to 13 weeks of payments to those who had exhausted their normal unemployment benefits by July 1, 2019, or later. Under the proposed aid bill, the government has extended this service for an extra 11 weeks.

Who is Eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

It is important to fit the criteria to benefit from pandemic unemployment assistance. Unemployed workers who do not qualify for regular UI benefits can fall under this category.  Here, we list all the possible reasons for being unemployed to open the door to pandemic unemployment assistance benefits.

• You are diagnosed with COVID-19 or have symptoms.
• One of your family members is sick.
• You are the family’s breadwinner and provide care to a family diagnosed positively.
• If you were supposed to start a new job but could not get to work because of COVID-19.
• The legal guardian for a child whose school or child care center has been closed due to the pandemic.
• If the family’s primary caregiver died due to corona, you can take advantage of it.
• You are not eligible if you can do remote work or take paid sick leaves or other benefits.
• If you fulfill the special requirements the United States Deputy Secretary of Labor sets out.

How to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Here, we will provide the step-by-step procedure to apply for pandemic unemployment assistance.

How to Apply

You can apply for the program online by visiting the PUA site [https://www.mass.gov/pandemic-unemployment-assistance-pua]. The program is mobile-friendly, and it can be done in under 30 minutes if you have the required paperwork. Multilingual call agents are available if you are more comfortable in other languages.

It is important to make sure of everything before submitting your application. Don’t rush things and take significant time to finish the procedure. In case of any difficulty, you can contact the Department of Unemployment Assistance at (877) 626-6800.

What documentation do I need When I Apply?

Applicants have to provide the information below.

• A social security number is a must.
• If you are not a US citizen, you must provide a USCIS number.
• You need to provide your date of birth.
• Provide contact information like email address, residential address, and phone number.
• If you are looking for direct payment, then your bank account and routing numbers.
• Also, you have to provide the details of 1099 forms, pay stubs, and account statements.
• You must provide documents for your child, including security number and date of birth.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) initiative is taking action to protect your privacy and ensure that only those eligible for assistance receive it. One of these moves is to request identification evidence from the Department of Unemployment.

DUA will help you verify your assertion and speed up payment collection. Upload All of your proof of identity at the same time. You can’t save and come back to complete the job later. If you need assistance uploading information, please call (877) 626-6800. If you submit your papers to DUA, it will take a long time for your claim to be processed.

How to Submit an Application

After applying, there are various protocols followed by the organization.

1. The Department of Unemployment Assistance will evaluate your Pandemic Unemployment Assistance application to affirm facts such as whether you are unemployed due to a CV-19-related cause, evidence of overall income, and whether you are willing and eligible to work for reasons other than the COVID-19-related reason.
2. Every week, you must certify and seek compensation if your job is affected by CV. By signing into your account, you can certify and request benefits online. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
3. You can get a fact-finding application from the Department of Unemployment Assistance to determine qualifications.  You must complete this application by the prescribed deadline. Failure to reply can result in your eligibility for benefits being revoked. By signing into your PU account, you can respond to all questionnaires.
4. This judgment also informs you when you’ve been eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Benefits and how much you could get. you have 30 days to appeal the ruling if your claim is rejected. By signing into your account, you can access rulings and file appeals.
5. If you want to deposit directly, you can receive the check within 4-7 business days if you are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits.

Are Unemployment Benefits Taxable?

Are unemployment benefits taxable? The answer is yes! Unemployment payments are called taxable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The state that paid your unemployment insurance should return your Form 1099-G, Such Government Payments, at the close of the tax year.  You should show the cumulative amount of compensation paid to you during the tax year in the report.  Your financial situation will determine if you will potentially owe taxes on the tax year(s) in which you collect unemployment insurance.

Do I Pay Tax on a Side Gig or Part-Time Income?

If you work part-time or are self-employed during unemployment, you could be liable for partial unemployment benefits.  In most cases, you’ll have to disclose the percentage of your gross income from those outlets to the jurisdiction. The inability to do so may be considered theft.  Unemployment insurance premium fraud is a major problem in every jurisdiction. They can enforce severe penalties if you make false statements, such as not disclosing profits.

In Conclusion

We understand how overwhelming and frustrating this covid situation is, and on top of all that, losing a source of income can be devastating. This is why the government took the initiative by launching this program and providing little relief to individuals out there.

Not only does it provide unemployment assistance, but it also gives little stability during certain times.  So, don’t wait any longer! If you think this program might benefit you or you fulfill the requirements of it. Then, take advantage of it without any second thoughts.