Self-employed and independent contractors can now file for unemployment online, one piece of ongoing efforts to help the millions of people out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is available through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which was created in response to the outbreak to help people who do not qualify for typical unemployment benefits. The application process to receive this type of compensation slightly differs from the one for those who were laid off by an employer.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re self-employed and seeking PUA assistance, according to Pennsylvania’s Office of Unemployment Compensation.
How do I know if I qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program?
Regular unemployment benefits are offered to people who have been laid off or had hours reduced by an employer, or because they’re caring for a coronavirus patient or been asked to self-isolate as a precaution.
Anyone who does not qualify for unemployment under those requirements can file for compensation through PUA. According to the program’s website, this includes people who are:
- Self-employed;
- Independent contractors;
- Gig workers;
- People without sufficient work history to qualify for regular UC; and
- People who have exhausted regular UC or extended benefits.
How long does the funding last?
The PUA program currently allows for 39 weeks of financial assistance.
What documents do I need to show to prove I’m self-employed?
These are some, but not all, of the acceptable methods.
- Copies of recent paycheck stubs;
- Bank receipts showing deposits;
- 1099s;
- Billing notices provided to your customers;
- Recent advertisements for your business or services;
- Statements from recent customers;
- Current business licenses, ledgers, contracts, invoices; and/or
- Building leases.
For documenting previous income, you can provide:
- tax returns;
- paycheck stubs;
- bank receipts;
- ledgers;
- contracts;
- invoices; and/or
- billing statements.
What do I need to show to prove the coronavirus is the reason I can’t work?
- Documentation from medical professionals regarding diagnosis or isolation instructions for you or a person in your home
- Notices or emails from school or childcare providers
- Notices or emails from county or state government regarding closure of businesses or stay at home orders
- Notices or emails from entities for which you were contracting stating that your services are not needed due to COVID-19 related shutdowns
- If filing due to a job offer being cancelled or delayed, documentation from the prospective employer that includes start date, hours, and pay of the job offer that has been cancelled or delayed
What PUA benefits do I need to know before I apply?
- These payments may not be more than the state’s maximum weekly benefit rate for regular UC of $572;
- These payments may not be less than half of the state’s average weekly benefit amount of $195.
- Payments will be backdated to January 27, 2020 or the first week you were unable to work due to COVID-19 (whichever of the two dates is later); and
- Benefits will end December 31, 2020.
Where can I complete the PUA application?
Online applications are available through the Office of Unemployment Compensation.
Self-employed Pennsylvanians who receive compensation through the PUA program are also eligible for the $600 a week the federal government is offering through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. These payments are:
- Effective from the week ending April 4, 2020 through the week ending July 25, 2020;
- Backdated and paid in one lump sum; and
- Automatic – you don’t need to do anything to receive the extra $600.