But many whose benefits run out last year will have to wait until their payments start up again. And freelancers, independent contractors, and certain people who are unable to work due to coronavirus restrictions must provide more proof of employment when submitting new applications or continuing their claims.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program has expanded benefits for unemployed, freelance workers, independent contractors, the self-employed and certain people affected by the coronavirus. The unemployment benefit program for pandemic emergencies paid 13 weeks extra to those who used their usual state benefits.
Both programs will be close to new applicants on March 14, but will continue until April 5 for existing claimants who have not yet reached the maximum number of weeks.
Implementation has begun
About half of the states should pay a $ 300 boost by the end of this week, says Michele Evermore, senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project. This is in line with experts’ predictions that it will take two to three weeks before many government agencies reprogram the new measures in their systems.
Several states, including New York and California, moved quickly to put parts of the new law in place. The California Department of Employment, for example, paid a total of $ 434 million in federal payments to more than 1 million claimants as of Tuesday.
In Georgia, nearly 167,000 unemployed people received their newly extended pandemic benefits, and nearly 300,000 unemployed received the extra $ 300 from January, the state agency said.
However, more than 239,000 Georgians who have exhausted pandemic benefits before or on December 26 will have to wait a few more weeks to begin the 11-week extension, although payments will be retroactive.
“We’re pushing as fast as we can,” said Kersha Cartwright, a spokeswoman for the agency.
Unemployed residents in other states have not yet received the benefits in the help package.
Discharged Ohio residents are currently unable to submit new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applications or ongoing weekly claims. The State Department of Employment and Family Services expects those already approved to serve by the third week of January. And he also expects to start issuing the $ 300 benefit.
New requirements for some files
The latest assistance package requires those seeking Pandemic Unemployment Benefits to submit additional paperwork confirming that they are employed or self-employed.
Last year, state agencies could simply accept testimony from plaintiffs about their jobs and income. But lawmakers tightened the rules, in part because the program, which opened up the unemployment system to many Americans who had never been eligible, faced major fraud.
Unemployed people who apply for unemployment benefit benefits from Pandemic before 31 January and receive a payment on 27 December must provide documentation to their state agency within 90 days, according to the US Department of Labor. Those who submit a new application on or after 31 January must submit the paperwork within 21 days.
Proof of employment may include pay stubs, W-2 tax forms or income statements, while proof of self-employment may include federal identification numbers of employers, business licenses, tax returns or business receipts, the agency said.
Oregon, for example, is still waiting for more information about the new required documentation, including program changes. The state agency does not yet know when it will start sending payments to people with new claims for pandemic or to those whose benefits run out last year.
States have some flexibility in the documentation requirements and deadlines, Evermore said. However, it can widen the gap between states, with some strict guidelines and others less so.
In Georgia, the state agency is still determining the best way for unemployed residents to meet the documentation requirements, Cartwright said. The new rules place a huge burden on government agencies to collect and verify the paperwork, she said.
“It will slow everything down for everyone,” Evermore said.