GLOSSARY AND UPDATES
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
This program supports business owners, the self-employed, independent contractors and others who don’t qualify for traditional unemployment benefits.
Once implemented, the extension will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of up to 50 weeks.
Will require a weekly certification specifying a specific “COVID-19 CARES Act reason,” beginning on January 26.
Will require individuals to substantiate employment or self-employment in the most recent tax year, beginning on January 31.
Will require identity verification at the outset of a claim, beginning on January 26.
Will impose new limitations on backdating claims.
Applications will be accepted until March 13, 2021. Individuals who are eligible for PUA benefits on the week ending March 13 and who have remaining weeks to claim will be able to continue to file through April 10.