An unprecedented 26 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the past month. Millions more are dealing with significantly reduced hours due to sickness, workplace closures, or unexpected caregiving duties. In the weeks ahead, these numbers will continue to grow.
If your hours or wages have been reduced, your ability to work has been impacted, or you have lost your employment as a result of COVID-19, here are some resources workers across the country may be able to access for some initial financial relief.
Unemployment Insurance:
If you have lost your job or have had your hours or wages reduced for reasons related to COVID-19, including individuals who are unable to work due to school or childcare closures, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance.
Benefit amounts vary by state. The national average for unemployment benefits is about $300 per week depending on your past earnings. Some states offer a larger benefit than others; for example Massachusetts offers about $800 per week per individual, while states like Florida only provide up to $250 per week. The amount you actually receive is based on your past earnings.
From April 1 until July 31, 2020, regardless of what the standard benefit in your state is, claimants are eligible to receive an additional $600 per week on top of the standard benefit amount.
Additionally, as of April 1 through December 31, 2020, when you apply for unemployment insurance:
- You may be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of benefits on top of the maximum number of weeks your state typically allows
- The traditional one week waiting period has also been waived for all new claimants; workers can begin qualifying for benefits on the first day of lost wages
Work search and work registration requirements have been temporarily waived for all claimants. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain benefits.
Filing a claim online is the fastest method, and states are strongly encouraging this option given the large request volume. Seeing your first payment might take several weeks, given surges in demand for benefits. However, benefits can be applied retroactively to the date your earnings were reduced, as far back as April 1, 2020. Seeing your first payment might take upwards of four weeks though given surges in demand for benefits.
A full list of unemployment benefits by state including links to each state’s unemployment office’s website is available at the end of this document.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:
People who don’t ordinarily qualify for Unemployment Insurance may be eligible to receive benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. This includes:
- Independent contractors
- Self-employed individuals
- Business owners who have had to close their business
- Individuals who remain employed but whose hours have been reduced
- Individuals who have already exhausted unemployment insurance benefits in their state.
PUA claimants will receive standard benefits that are determined by each state. In some cases, it may be based on past earnings, but not always. In addition to the standard benefit, all PUA claimants are eligible for the additional $600 per week from April 1 through Jul 31, 2020. For workers whose time has been reduced, standard benefits are prorated but claimants can receive the full $600 additional benefit.
Similar to Unemployment Insurance, PUA claimants are eligible for an additional 13 weeks of standard benefits on top of the weeks your state usually provides.. The traditional one-week waiting period has also been waived for all new claimants; workers can begin qualifying for benefits on the first day of lost wages. Work search and work registration requirements have been temporarily waived. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain benefits.
The PUA benefit has generated a lot of confusion across states. Most claimants have been directed to submit their claims through their states’ Unemployment Insurance agencies, but in many states these agencies are not set up to approve these particular claims yet since they traditionally would not qualify. High volumes of PUA claimants are reporting rejected cases.
States are working to create new systems to process PUA claims. Claimants who have been rejected are encouraged to keep checking your state’s Unemployment Insurance website for updates on how to apply for PUA. Washington State, and Wisconsin are now receiving PUA claims. California anticipates having their PUA claims site ready on April 28th. Pennsylvania and Massachussetts are asking claimants to wait until the end of April to begin submitting claims. PUA claimants will likely not see benefits for at least one month from now.
A full list of unemployment benefits by state including links to each state’s unemployment office’s website is available at the end of this document.
Economic Impact Payment ($1,200):
Regardless of your employment status, cash may be on its way to you in the form of a $1,200 payment. The full $1,200 amount is available for people making up to $75,000 (individual) and $150,000 (married). Benefits are reduced if your individual or household earnings pass this threshold and they phase out completely if you earn over $99,000 (individual) or $188,000 (married). In addition to benefits for adults, an additional $500 cash payment is available per child up to three children per household.
You can estimate your household’s expected check using an online calculator.
If you haven’t yet received your payment, whether or not you have to take action depends on how up to date you are on your taxes. Payments will be sent based on your 2019 or 2018 adjusted gross income on your tax return. If you haven’t filed a tax return for either of these years, you should do so quickly if you can. As part of your return, it is encouraged that you provide direct deposit information so the check can be wired directly to your account.
If you aren’t able to file quickly, or you don’t plan to file 2018 or 2019 taxes, the IRS has created a new website for you to sign up to receive your payment sooner. Through this site, you can check your payment status, update your direct deposit information, or register your information to receive the payment.
Individuals claimed as dependents by someone else will not receive a check. This will likely most affect high school seniors and college students up to the age of 24. People could receive checks as early as April 17th, but it’s anticipated some people may wait up to five months before their payment arrives.
Student Loan Suspension:
Regardless of your employment status, individuals with federally held student loans (which are the vast majority of student loans issued since 2010) have had their loans suspended automatically until September 30, 2020.
Under the CARES Act, there will be no penalty or interest accrued, during this period, and
garnishment of wages, Social Security or tax refunds for student loan debt collection is not permitted.
Privately held student loans owned by banks, credit unions, schools, or other private entities, are not eligible for this benefit at this time. In these cases, you should contact your lender directly to explore payment deferral options.
Expanded Paid Sick Leave:
If you are still employed but unable to work due to Covid-19, you may be eligible for Expanded Paid Sick Leave up to 10 paid sick days (equivalent to 80 hours) at your regular rate of pay on top of any Paid Sick Leave your employer currently offers. Part-time employees can also receive Expanded Paid Sick Leave, but it will be limited to the average number of hours that the employee works over a two week period.
Effective now until December 31, 2020, employees are eligible for Expanded Paid Sick Leave at their regular rate of pay if they are:
- Diagnosed with COVID-19,
- Quarantined under doctor’s order due to exposure,
- Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis,
If you are still employed but unable to work due to caregiving duties, you may be eligible for Expanded Paid Sick Leave benefits at two-thirds your regular rate of pay.
- Providing care for or assisting a family member who is self-isolating because of diagnosis, or is experiencing symptoms and is under doctor’s orders to do so,
- Caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed
Eligibility for expanded benefits is currently limited to workers at private employers with fewer than 500 employees. Employers with 50 or fewer employees may be exempt from providing this benefit. Employees must have been employed by their employer for at least 30 days in advance of requesting the benefit. Paid Sick Leave benefits must be coordinated directly with your employer.
Expanded Paid Family Leave:
If you’re still employed but have exhausted your Paid Sick Leave and are still unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19, certified by a medical professional, or because your child’s school or place of care is closed, you may be eligible to receive two-thirds your regular rate of pay for an additional 10 weeks .
Eligibility for expanded benefits is currently limited to workers at private businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Employers with 50 or fewer employees may be exempt from providing this benefit.
Employees must have been employed by their employer for at least 30 days in advance of requesting the benefit. Expanded Paid Family Leave benefits cannot be combined with existing Paid Family Leave benefits already offered by your employer. Paid Family Leave benefits must be coordinated directly with your employer.