Californians who have lost their job or had their work hours reduced due to the direct result of the pandemic can collect Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. According to the reports of California Employment Development Department (EDD), the authorities have processed about 6.7 claims and paid about $33.5 billion in unemployment benefits in California since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Unemployment Benefits In California And The CARES Act
Generally, the regular unemployment benefits in California last for 26 weeks, but Californians can receive payment for an additional 13 weeks under the CARES Act. The Act also provides benefits to the otherwise ineligible self-employed, gig workers, freelancers, or independent contractors.
Extended Unemployment Benefits In California
The Employment Development Department is looking to provide a separate extension of traditional unemployment benefits. The program would be the Federal-State Extended Duration benefits program and will be known as the FED-ED program. It would provide benefits for at least an additional 13 weeks.
Under this program, benefits will be provided to Californians who are struggling to go back to their job and have a prolonged duration of unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who Qualifies For FED-ED Program?
To receive benefits under the FED-ED program, Californians should meet certain eligibility criteria. Some of them include:
- Should exhaust benefits received under the regular Unemployment Insurance program
- Must run out of benefits received under the Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program
- Should be capable, available, and actively seeking to take up any job
- Should submit work search documents
More details about this program are expected to be out in a couple of weeks.
Can You Collect Unemployment Benefits If You Return To Your Work?
As businesses begin to reopen, some employers may require their employees to return to work. If you return to full-time employment, you cannot collect unemployment benefits. But if the work hours are reduced, or you are furloughed again, you can apply for UI benefits.
To apply for benefits, you should certify the number of hours worked each week and report income in the week in which it was earned. All these details must be reported on a bi-weekly certification form. If approved, you can collect payment for up to 26 weeks.
Note that the amount earned will be deducted from unemployment benefits. For instance, if you earned $200 in a week. The EDD may not count $50 and may deduct $150 from your regular unemployment insurance. So if you are expected to receive a $430 payment for that week, after deductions, you may get $280.
The same rule applies to the self-employed, independent contractors, or gig workers. The only difference is that they have to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and not regular unemployment benefits.
Filing For Unemployment Benefits In California
You can apply for unemployment benefits in California either online, by fax or mail, or the phone. To file online, visit the EDD website, log in to your account if you have one, and enter details asked for. If you don’t have an account, first register and then log in.
To file by fax or mail, access the paper unemployment application on the EDD website and mail it to the mailing address mentioned on the form. You can also call representatives at the toll-free number mentioned in the EDD website and file a claim.
What Happens After Filing An Unemployment Claim?
If you are a recent online applicant, you will receive a mail from the EDD confirming your registration. But if you haven’t filed unemployment for many years, you may not receive a mail, but a letter with an EDD Customer Account Number using which you can complete the set-up of the EDD unemployment claims account and file weekly claims.
Final word
Due to the surge in unemployment applications, the EDD may sometimes take time to process your application. Therefore, don’t panic if you haven’t received any mail from the EDD. Stay patient while the authorities process your form. For more details, you can always contact authorities at the EDD.
In March 2020, the federal government has announced a comprehensive financial aid known as the Coronavirus, Assistance, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It included several provisions, one such being the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. Under the FPUC program, the eligible could receive an additional $600 unemployment benefits a week.
The extra $600 unemployment benefits were scheduled to end on July 31. But now the Department Of Labor (DOL) has announced that benefits will be paid through the week ending July 25 or 26. The program is expected to end on July 25 in all states except New York. In New York, it is expected to end on July 26.
Once the extra $600 unemployment benefits per week expires, the traditional unemployment payment, which varies from state to state, will return to below $400 a week. This is a significant blow to those counting on additional benefits to meet their basic needs.
Why Is $600 Unemployment Benefits So Important To Americans?
Since March 2020, more than 40 million Americans have lost their jobs due to the Coronavirus-induced economic shutdown, and have applied for unemployment benefits. Even as businesses opened, as per the reports of the DOL, about 1.5 million people have filed an unemployment claim in the week ending June 20, taking the tally to 44 million.
For millions of households, the Unemployment Insurance, especially the additional $600 benefits, has acted as a financial lifeline and stay afloat amidst layoffs and recession. But if the states end the program, it could have dire consequences for those families dependent on the extra benefits they are currently receiving.
That is because many families have already exhausted their benefits they received with an expectation that they would receive benefits till July 31. With the FPUC program ending on July 25 or 26, households will continue to receive the standard amount, which is below $400.
Will $600 Unemployment Benefits Get Extended?
The answer, Depends. As per the CARES Act, the $600 unemployment benefits are expected to end in July 2020. However, under the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, the unemployed can collect the benefits until January 2021.
However, it must be noted that the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, but the Senate has approved the bill yet.
How To Prepare To Cope-Up With The Smaller Payment During The Crisis?
Since the additional $600 unemployment benefits last in a few weeks, it is wiser to save the emergency fund to be able to meet the end needs.
1. Cut Down Unnecessary Expenses
Identify areas where you can cut down unnecessary expenses and monthly bills. Instead, you can save or use that money to pay other essential bills. For instance, if you have monthly streaming subscriptions and cable, you can cancel one of the services. You could also go for a free trial period for the time being.
You can save huge amounts of money spent on food by preparing meals at home instead of ordering food. Also, you can use a cash-back card and get a bit of money back when you purchase groceries.
2. Broaden Job Search
By broadening your job search, the chances are high that you find one relatively faster. If you are willing to relocate, look for suitable positions in some other state. If you have skills that suit fields other than yours, then you can consider changing your existing field. For instance, AI technology finds its application in many fields, including health care, gaming, etc.
3. Stay Updated On Relief Measures
Since unemployment is rising despite reopening the economy, there is a possibility that the federal government or lawmakers may extend the additional benefits or announce some financial aid. Therefore, it is wiser to keep yourself updated with the latest developments.
Final Words
With the FPUC program ending next month, let’s see if the states have to offer any other benefits to the unemployed in addition to the regular UI benefits. Until that, follow the measures mentioned above and prepare yourself to meet your needs with the standard UI benefits.
The Department Of Labor provides Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits if you lose your job through no fault of your own. But the question is, can you collect your unemployment if you quit a job? The answer, Depends.
If you quit your job voluntarily without good cause, you cannot collect your unemployment benefits. But if you had a good reason as defined by your state, you may qualify for benefits.
Good Cause To Quit Your Job
There may be several good reasons for leaving a job. But not all entitle you to qualify for benefits. You have good cause to leave a job if, in the same situation, any ordinary person would have left his/her job.
Reasons Considered As Good Cause
Some of the good cause include:
1. Medical Reasons
You have a good reason to quit your job when you have a medical condition, and continuing to do that particular job could worsen your condition. To receive unemployment benefits, you must prove that:
- You had major medical reasons to leave your job
- Even though you have medical conditions, you are capable and available to take up some job
- You had notified your employer about your health before quitting and gave them sufficient time to find a replacement
2. Unacceptable Working Conditions
Unacceptable working conditions/environment is a good cause to quit a job. However, simply being unhappy with the working conditions cannot be considered as a good cause. For working conditions to be good cause for leaving your job, you must prove that:
- Unsafe working conditions
- Your employer is not paying you
- You were tricked about the working conditions
- You were not aware of the workplace condition when you took up the employment
- Your employer changed the working conditions without your consent or knowledge
- Offensive behavior by your supervisor, coworkers, or employers such as discrimination based on gender, age, or race, unfair allegations, or profanity at work
3. Family Problems
Family problems can be considered a good cause for quitting a job, provided you have informed your employer about it and taken the necessary steps to fix it. For example, you have a child and haven’t found a babysitter to give childcare, and hence are required to leave your job to provide care by yourself.
You may also receive unemployment benefits if your spouse was transferred, and you quit your job to follow your spouse. However, if your spouse voluntarily transferred, you cannot qualify for benefits.
4. Transportation Problems
Transportation problems can be a good cause to quit a job if you have lost access to your transportation or your employer has relocated the workplace, and you cannot travel to the new location. However, you must take the suitable steps to overcome the problem and keep your employer informed about it. To determine if the transportation problem is a good cause, the state will consider:
- If the traveling time has been increased
- If traveling expenses has been increased
- Whether your employer is providing you reimbursement for additional expenses
- Whether you have looked for alternative means of transportation, like public transportation, carpooling, etc.
Note that some states pay benefits only if one had job-related problems to leave a job, and some others may also consider personal problems as good cause. To determine your state defined good cause, talk to authorities at your state’s unemployment benefits agency.
What Is Not Counted As A Good Cause?
Some of the reasons that are not considered as good cause for quitting a job include:
- Took new job without informing an employer in advance
- Chang career options
- Get married
- Attend school
- Job abandonment
- Quitting in anticipation of discharge
Unemployment If You Quit Your Job: Should You Present Proof Of A Good Cause?
When you quit your job voluntarily, you will be required by the law to show proof of a good cause to collect unemployment benefits. You should also describe the circumstances that forced you to quit and the measures taken to resolve problems.
If you quit due to health conditions, then statements from your doctor can help you prove that you were genuinely unwell or had health problems.
Closing Thoughts
Before quitting, give your best to resolve the issue. However, if you are unable to resolve them and are forced to leave the job, make sure you keep detailed records of emails, or other communication you had with your employer. Remember, the evidence you provide plays a vital role in deciding the approval or rejection of your UI benefits.
Kansas is one of the states worst affected by the measures taken to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Kansas unemployment rate in May was 10.0%. To help the unemployed, the state offers Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Generally, the unemployment benefits last between 16 to 26 weeks. But due to the ongoing crisis, the authorities at the Department Of Labor have extended unemployment benefits in Kansas. The extension took effect on June 7, 2020.
Extended Unemployment Benefits In Kansas
Under the extended unemployment benefits program, the state provides benefits to qualified people for an additional 13 weeks. The new extended unemployment benefits would follow the end of the regular benefits as well as Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits.
That is to collect the payment under the extended unemployment benefits program, one should exhaust benefits received under both regular and PEUC programs.
The self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, etc. who qualify Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUA) can also collect payment under extended unemployment benefits.
Who Qualifies For Extended Benefits?
To be eligible for extended benefits in Kansas, you must meet several requirements. Some of them are listed below.
- You are still unemployed
- You have exhausted both regular UI and PEUC benefits
- You are able, available, and actively seeking for a job
- You have earned at least 2 of 4 quarters in your base period
- You must submit a log of work searches
How To Apply For Extended Benefits?
If you are already collecting his/her unemployment benefits, you need nor reapply for the extended benefits in Kansas. The authorities at the Department Of Labor will use the same details that were used to give traditional UI benefits and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. However, if you are recently unemployed or are not receiving benefits, then you must first apply for regular unemployment benefits.
You can apply for unemployment benefits in Kansas online or by phone. When filing a claim online, you will be required to enter several details such as:
- Name
- Address
- Contact details
- Address of the employer
- Social Security Number
- Driving license
Filing Unemployment Benefits By Phone
If you cannot file online, you can apply by dialing the Kansas Unemployment Contact Center. But you must be prepared to hold for a longer duration if he/she applies on Monday and Tuesday. This is because the Contact Center receives a maximum number of calls on Monday and Tuesday.
There are certain circumstances where you must file a claim by phone. They include:
- You have filed an unemployment benefits claim with another state in the last 12 months
- You have worked in another state in the past 18 months
- You were a federal employee or has served in military service in the past 18 months
After the application is submitted, the DOL will send an Unemployment Insurance Monetary Determination notice. The notice includes your incomes during your base period and provides the weekly benefit amount.
What If Claim Gets Rejected?
Sometimes despite meeting the requirements, the claim may be denied for unknown reasons. In such situations, you will have 16 days to apply for an unemployment appeal. You can appeal to the Office of Appeals of the Kansas DOL.
The authorities will review your appeal and schedule a hearing before an Unemployment Insurance Judge. The hearing can take place either over a call or face-to-face. You can present witness testimony and evidence, if any, at the hearing. The judge will then give his decision.
Kansas has multiple levels of hearing. If you are not happy with the decision of the judge, you can re-appeal it to the Employment Security Board of Review. If you disagree with its decision, you can apply for an appeal in the state court.
The extended unemployment benefits in Kansas will be made available by the month-end. If you have any further queries, contact the Department Of Labor.
The unemployed in the United States can collect Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. But when they return to their work or earn an equal or more than benefit amount, they should stop claiming benefits. However, under unfortunate circumstances, if they lose their job again, they can reopen an unemployment claim and collect weekly benefits.
In this article, we will walk through the process involved in reopening the claim. But before that, let’s have a look at situations under which you can reopen a claim.
When Can You Reopen An Unemployment Claim?
You can reopen an unemployment claim under any one of the following circumstances.
1. Laid Off
If you are laid off or furloughed again after returning to work, you can reopen an existing unemployment benefits claim. Before trying to reopen the claim, contact your state’s unemployment office to determine you are eligible to reopen the existing claim or are required to file a new one.
If you have not worked for the entire week for which you are filing a claim, you can reopen your claim without a waiting period, provided your state has that provision. However, if your state does not have this option, you would have to wait for one full week without a job before collecting benefits.
2. Fired From Work
You can reopen your claim if your fired from work or forced to quit. But if you are terminated for misconduct, you won’t qualify for unemployment benefits. When you are fired, first, contact your state’s unemployment office and determine if you can reopen your previous unemployment claim or file a new one.
Note that your state may allow you to reopen the claim based on several aspects of your case. Also, similar to being laid off, if you have not worked for a full week for which you are claiming, you will have to wait for one entire week to collect benefits.
3. Reduced Work Hours
When you have a full-time job, you cannot file an unemployment claim. However, if your employer has reduced your working hours, you can reopen and collect your unemployment benefits. But note that under such circumstances, you can claim only partial unemployment and not regular UI benefits. Depending on your state guidelines, you may be required to wait for one entire week to collect your partial unemployment benefits.
4. Unsafe Working Conditions
You can reopen your previous unemployment claim if you have voluntarily quit your new job due to unsafe working conditions. However, while reopening the claim, you must have evidence and prove that your workplace was indeed unsafe.
Note that despite applying for a claim soon after leaving your job, you may be required to wait for one full week before collecting your benefits.
Reopening an unemployment claim depends on the year the claim was initially opened. For instance, let’s assume that you had opened an unemployment claim in 2019 but got a job later in that year, and again lost the job in the same year. In such cases, you can reopen the previous claim. But if you lost your work in 2020 and want to collect benefits, it will be considered as refiling a claim.
How To Reopen An Unemployment Claim?
The steps involved in reopening an unemployment claim varies from state to state. Some states may allow its citizens to reopen and file a claim online with their previously assigned Personal Identification Number (PIN) and username. Other states may require you to call and talk to the representatives at the unemployment office.
Reopening A Claim Online
To reopen your unemployment claim online, follow the below-mentioned steps.
Step 1 – Log in to your UI account and choose to reopen your claim.
Step 2 – Fill all the details and answer all the questions asked by the Department Of Labor (DOL). This allows DOL to determine your eligibility.
Step 3 – Review and submit the details. On applying, you may get a confirmation notice/letter. Save it for future records.
Some states like California may also allow you to reopen a claim by fax or mail.
Final Words
By reopening your unemployment claim you can meet your financial meets temporarily. However, in the mean time make sure you look for a job that let’s you earn good income and help you be financially stable.
In March, the federal government passed the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide temporary financial relief to those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The relief measures included Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), etc. These programs took effect in March. However, lately, the state of Texas triggered a state extended unemployment benefits program that provides additional 13 weeks of unemployment assistance.
The extension comes after the previously extended unemployment benefits for 13 weeks under the federal’s Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) relief measure. The new extension took effect on May 31. Here, let’s have a detailed look at extended unemployment benefits in Texas.
Extended Unemployment Benefits In Texas
Typically, Texans can receive the benefits for 26 weeks. However, under the extended unemployment benefits program, Texans can now collect the payment for 52 weeks.
Texans could start receiving their state extended unemployment benefits in the week that ends on July 4, which is 13 weeks after the first extension (PEUC) that took effect in the state. Before collecting their additional 13 weeks of state extended benefits, the claimants must first exhaust their regular 26 weeks and the additional 13 weeks under PEUC.
The self-employed workers, gig workers, and independent contractors can collect extended benefits, provided they have exhausted their benefits under PUA program.
Who Qualifies For Extended Benefits In Texas?
To qualify for the extended unemployment benefits in Texas you must meet several eligibility requirements. Some of them include:
1. You have exhausted your regular as well as benefits received under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
2. You are able, available for work, and are actively seeking for a job
3. You are not receiving benefits with respect to any unemployment compensation of another state
4. You have wages in the base period of your regular benefits that includes:
- Wages higher than 40 times your most recent weekly payment
- Total wages in the base period greater than or equal to 1.5 times the highest quarter
How To Apply For Extended Benefits In Texas
You need not reapply for extended unemployment benefits if you are currently receiving the payment. But if you aren’t receiving, then file an unemployment claim online or over the phone.
You will have to provide several details while filing a claim. They include:
- Your last employer’s name, address and other contact details
- The first and last dates you worked for your last employer. If you worked on more than one occasion, provide the latest employment dates
- Information related to your normal wage you are seeking
- Information regarding hours worked and pay rate, provided you worked the week you file a claim (including Sunday)
- Alien Registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Once you submit your application, the authorities will review it and will send you a Determination Notice, that indicates whether your claim is approved or denied. If your claim is approved, you will have to request payment every 2 weeks.
But if your claim is denied despite meeting the eligibility criteria, you can appeal for unemployment benefits.
Appealing Unemployment Benefits Denial
You can appeal Unemployment benefits by requesting a hearing, within 14 days after the Determination Notice was sent to you. On receiving your appeal request, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will schedule a hearing. Your hearing may take place over the phone or face-to-face.
Texas has multiple levels of hearing process. If you disagree with the decision after your first hearing, you can re-appeal to the three commissioners of TWC. The commissioners will review the evidence and give their judgement. If you disagree with their decision, you can file an appeal in court or request a rehearing from the TWC.
Final Words
Extended unemployment benefits can provide you with temporary financial support. If you have any queries regarding the extended benefits, reach out to authorities at Texas Workforce Commission.
The federal government provides Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to those who lost their jobs. However, not all unemployed are eligible for the benefits. There are several requirements which one must meet in order to receive the benefits, failing to which they can be disqualified from receiving the benefits. Here, we will walk you through some of the reasons for unemployment benefit disqualifications.
Unemployment Benefit Disqualifications
Some of the circumstances that lead to unemployment benefit disqualifications include:
1. Quit Without Good Cause
In most cases, you will be disqualified from receiving the unemployment benefits if you quit your job voluntarily or without a good cause.
For instance, you might have quit your job because you are not happy with your pay, you want to change careers, or your job is unfulfilling, and you want to try something new. All of these might be good reasons for you to quit the job and move on, but you will be disqualified from collecting your unemployment insurance benefits.
Note that the definition of “good cause” varies with states. For example, under Texas law, good cause is the employee’s failure to carry out his/her duties that a person of ordinary prudence would carry out under similar circumstances.
2. Insufficient Earnings
Another common reason for unemployment benefit disqualifications is insufficient earnings and length of employment. To qualify for the benefits, you must earn a minimum amount set by your state in your standard or alternate base period and have worked for your employer for at least one year. Additionally, if your state requires, you may also be required to meet the minimum work hours.
3. Provide Inaccurate Information
When filing a claim, you are required to enter several details such as your address, contact details, employers’ details, social security number, and many more. If you have missed out on any details, or have entered incorrect information, and the authorities have figured it out, you may be disqualified from receiving the unemployment benefits.
4. Fired For Justifiable Cause
You would be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits if you were fired for justifiable cause. The causes include, but not limited to, failing a drug or alcohol test, stealing, falsifying records, lying, insubordination, criminal conduct, fraud, disclosing confidential information or trade secrets, or violating company rules or policies.
When you are terminated for a justifiable cause, your employer is not required to give you a notice. The employer is required to give notice only in the case of mass layoffs, corporate or large plant closures as per the policies of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
5. Not Looking For A Job
This is one of the most common reasons for unemployment benefit disqualifications. The Department of Unemployment Insurance requires applicants to be able and available to work and actively look for work. While filing for a claim, an applicant must submit his/her work search reports. The report should include the address of employers’ approached, interviews attended, etc., failing to which the claimant will be disqualified from receiving the unemployment benefits.
Earlier, the self-employed, contractors, or freelancers were not qualified to receive the unemployment benefits but are now eligible under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, a part of the CARES Act. There are several eligibility criteria that one must meet, failing to which they may be disqualified from receiving the benefits.
Closing Thoughts
Eligibility requirements for filing a claim may vary with states. For more information check your state’s Department of Unemployment Insurance website or contact authorities.
Not that many times, despite meeting the eligibility requirements, your claim may be denied. In such circumstances, you have the right to appeal your UI benefits.
The United States offers unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to its unemployed citizens to enable them to meet their monetary needs temporarily. Federal and state governments jointly manage this program. In Florida, the UI benefits are called Reemployment Assistance (RA) program.
What Is a Reemployment Assistance Program?
The Reemployment Assistance program, similar to UI benefits, provides temporary wages to qualified individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
The reason behind rebranding UI with Reemployment Assistance is to reflect the goal of assisting the unemployed to find a job by training them through Florida’s CareerSource Centers in addition to providing financial relief.
Eligibility Criteria For The Reemployment Assistance Program
To qualify for the Reemployment Assistance program, you should meet the following criteria.
- You have lost your employment through no fault of your own, and have not quit for personal reasons
- You are fully or partially unemployed
- You can work, available for work, and actively seeking work
- You have a minimum amount of wages earned in the base period
- You have documented your work search activities
Changes to RA Eligibility Criteria Due To The Coronavirus
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Florida has modified some of its criteria for qualifying for the Reemployment Assistance program.
1. Additional Benefits
The federal government’s CARES Act provides claimants an additional $600 per week. Those who qualify for the RA program will receive this payment on top of their weekly Florida benefit.
The CARES Act authorizes direct payments to eligible individuals and families. If you have filed your 2018 or 2019 income tax return and received your refund via direct deposit, then the authorities will use the same account details and deposit your payment.
2. Benefits For Self-Employed And Gig Workers
Floridians who are self-employed, gig workers, nonprofit workers, or contractors qualify for state benefits. The CARES Act allows them to apply for $600 per week by filing the form through Florida’s unemployment system.
3. Extended Duration
When the unemployment rate increases above 5%, Florida extends the duration of the benefits beyond the standard 12 weeks. That is an additional week added for every 0.5% increase to the unemployment rate. The maximum extension is 23 weeks.
Where To File For A Reemployment Assistance Program?
You can apply for a Reemployment Assistance program through online applications or paper applications.
1. Apply Through New Website For Online Applications
Due to the surge in the number of unemployment benefits claims, CONNECT, Florida’s website for online unemployment applications is crashing, causing trouble for the applicants.
To address this issue, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched a mobile-friendly website that eases the application process.
2. Apply Through Paper Applications
If you can’t apply through the website, you can file through a paper application for Florida Reemployment Assistance.
If you are already receiving the payments, then there is an additional step that you must follow to get the benefits beginning this week.
The DEO has announced that the claimants required to return to the CONNECT system to claim your weeks to continue receiving your payment. This is done to confirm that the claimants are still unemployed and are available and able to start employment.
What To Do If Your Claim Is Denied?
If your claim is denied despite meeting all the eligibility criteria, then you must re-submit the application. The re-application holds good for gig workers, self-employed, or contractors who have applied before April 5th.
What To Do If You Are Overpaid?
At times, you may be overpaid than you are entitled to receive. Whether you are overpaid due to the mistakes you committed while filing form or some other reasons, you must repay the overpayment of unemployment benefits.
In Florida you can repay the amount by sending the payment to the United Collection Bureau (UCB). you can also repay using your credit card.
If you further have any queries regarding Reemployment Assistance program, contact DEO.
Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, millions of Californians are losing their jobs. To cope up with the situation, the Employment Development Department (EDD) is providing unemployment benefits in California. The benefits are not only available to the unemployed, but also to people who are quarantined or are caring for the sick.
Unemployment Benefits In California
In general, the unemployed Californians who meet the eligibility criteria receive unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. But due to the unprecedented circumstances, the federal policymakers have expanded benefits and eligibility through various financial relief measures.
1) The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program provides a 13-week extension of benefits. That is, the claimant can get benefits for 39 weeks.
2) The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program provides an additional $600 on the top of regular unemployment insurance benefits to the claimants.
3) The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) offers benefits to self-employed, gig workers, etc.
Who Are Eligible For Unemployment Benefits During The Pandemic?
PEUC, PUA, and FPUC have their own set of eligibility criteria. But be it PUA or PEUC, there are some common requirements that you must meet to qualify for benefits. They include:
- You must be fully or partially unemployed
- You have lost employment through no fault of your own
- You are able to work, actively seeking employment and available for work
- You must report all your earning earned during the claiming week
- You must submit records of your work searches
Though it is mandatory to meet the criteria mentioned above to qualify for the benefits, the federal government is allowing the authorities at California the flexibility to amend the laws to provide UI benefits concerning the Coronavirus pandemic. For instance, the authorities at California can pay benefits if:
- Your employer temporarily shuts down operations due to Coronavirus, preventing you from going to work.
- You are quarantined and expected to return to work post quarantine
- You are not going to your work fearing the risk of exposure or infection
- You are giving care to a family member diagnosed with the Coronavirus
- You have quit your employment as a direct result of the Coronavirus
- You have been scheduled to commence a job but are unable to reach the workplace due to the Coronavirus
Where to File for Unemployment Benefits in California?
Californians who have lost a job due to the pandemic can apply for the unemployment benefits through the state’s EDD.
- Visit Benefits Program Online and register yourself, if you are applying for the benefits for the first time.
- Next, log in to the Benefits Program Online
- Go to UI online and select file a claim
- Read the instructions and provide necessary information
- Click submit
After submitting the claim, you will receive a confirmation number. Save it for future reference.
The EDD has provided various options to collect payment. For instance,
- Quarantined or sick Californians who are unable to work due to the pandemic can apply for disability insurance claim online
- If you are giving care to a family member diagnosed with the pandemic, you can apply for paid family leave claim
How Long Does It Take To Receive Unemployment Benefits?
Earlier, EDD used to take about 3 weeks to process claims. But with the surge in demand, the department is likely to take more time to provide the benefit. However, EDD is planning to keep claimants informed as the situation evolves and also encouraging them to check the EDD website for updates.
What Is The Department Doing To Speed Up Claims?
Many claimants have complained about the delays in processing the benefits. To address these concerns, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed an executive order to expand the call center work hours. Earlier, the call center worked 4 hours per day from Monday to Friday, the new call center that now operates 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Due to the increase in the number of claims, your claim may be delayed. However, if you don’t hear back from the department for weeks, you can consider reapplying for the claim.
To help Americans who lost their jobs due to the Coronavirus, the federal government has announced financial relief measures. This includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
While PUA provides unemployment benefits to the self-employed, gig workers, etc., FPUC provides an additional $600 to those eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
What Is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation?
The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation allows you to receive unemployment insurance benefits for an additional 13 weeks. This means that you can collect benefits for a longer period than under normal conditions.
Who Is Eligible For PEUC?
You must meet certain criteria to qualify for PEUC. The requirements include:
- You must have exhausted all your rights to regular benefits under federal or state law concerning the benefit year that ended on or after July 1, 2019. That is to qualify for PEUC benefits, you must have received 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation UC on or after July 1, 2019.
- You must be able to work, actively seek work, and available to work. However, the bill specifies that “a state must provide flexibility in meeting this requirement in case the applicant is unable to look for work because of the Coronavirus, including quarantine, movement restriction or illness.”
- You have no rights to regular benefits under other federal or state UC laws or benefits under any other federal law.
The Department Of Labor has also issued guidlines, which states that the applicant is required only to exhaust regular unemployment compensation and not any extended UC to which he/she may be entitled.
Based on this guidance, you may receive PEUC for the ensuing 13 weeks, provided you meet the requirements mentioned above.
What Is The Weekly Benefit Amount?
For a week of total unemployment, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation is the amount of regular benefit payable during the benefit year, plus $600 through July 31, 2020, under state law.
For a week of partial unemployment, the PEUC benefit is the amount of regular benefit payable during the benefit year for partial unemployment, plus $600 through July 31, 2020, under state law.
Where to Apply for PEUC?
If you are currently filing and receiving unemployment benefits, then you are not required to reapply for an additional 13 weeks. If you are not receiving, then you can apply for the benefits through a state-owned website for unemployment benefits.
Note –
- The action of filing the PEUC claim does not start payments. You are required to file a weekly certification for weeks you want to receive benefits from the PEUC program.
- Weeks for compensation start on Sunday and end on the following Saturday. That is, you can file for a week of unemployment on Sunday for the week that ended on Saturday.
- You have only 13 days to complete the certification to complete your certification. Failure to certify within the 13 days following the Saturday of the week you wish to receive benefits, may disqualify you for benefits for the week.
- Similar to regular unemployment insurance benefits, child support obligations must be deducted from your PEUC benefits.
- When receiving your PEUC benefit, you will be required to report your weekly claim each week to be paid. The authorities will use the same payment method used to pay your other benefits.
- When your claim expires, you are required to file a new claim, even if you still have a PEUC balance.
Is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Taxable?
PEUC is a federal program and is taxable. The benefits will be included on your 1099G for the 2020 tax year. However, taxes will be withheld from PEUC, provided you have elected to have taxes withheld from your regular UI benefits.
Though Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation is a federal program, it is administered at the state level. If you are unemployed but not eligible for the regular UI benefits, apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
