How To Extend Your Ui Benefits
If you applied for Unemployment Insurance at the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency , you have likely exhausted or are about to exhaust your benefits. UI is designed to last for 26 weeks, but fortunately, there are additional 13-week extensions currently available. The extension is not automatic, however. UI claimants will need to apply and fill out an application to receive extended support.
If you applied for Unemployment Insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance earlier in the COVID-19 public health emergency, you may have exhausted or are about to exhaust your benefits.;These extension are not automatic, however. You;will need to apply and fill out an application to receive extended support.;
UI lasts for 26 weeks and there are two 13-week extension programs and one 7-week extension program available: Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits . PUA lasts for 39 initial weeks and one 7-week extension is available for through the EB program.
Click here; to download our Extended Benefits Fact Sheet on both programs.;
Cares Act Extension And Changes To Unemployment Benefit Programs
The information below is based upon the most recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor. This website will be updated frequently.
NOTE:;When your benefit year ends, you;must reapply;even if you did not work in the past year.; ;If you worked in the past year, DUA will recalculate your weekly benefit amount.;If your new benefit amount is lower by at least $25;and;your benefit year ended;after;December 27, 2020, you can stay at the higher amount while getting extended weeks under the Pandemic Employment Unemployment Compensation program. when your benefit year ended.);
No Chance Of Extending Federal Unemployment Benefits
The expiration of the federal governments $300 weekly boost comes at a chaotic time for many American workers. As the nation grapples with cases of the contagious delta variant and the White House urges Americans to get vaccinated for Covid-19 , several states have reinstated indoor mask mandates to try to minimize the spread of the virus.
Although no large-scale economic shutdowns like those seen at the start of the pandemic have been announced, people job searching or who have just returned to the job market may be feeling less financially stable.
Since many have exhausted their state benefits, a wave of people will lose unemployment benefits once the federal bonus expires. Self-employed and gig workerswho will lose Pandemic Unemployment Insurance benefits created in 2020dont have state programs to fall back on.
In a letter last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh reiterated President Bidens previous message that its appropriate to let benefits end in early September.
But ending the boost doesnt mean the economy is set up for smooth sailing after that.
Even as the economy continues to recover and robust job growth continues, there are some states where it may make sense for unemployed workers to continue receiving additional assistance for a longer period of time. Allowing residents of those states more time to find a job in areas where unemployment remains high, wrote Yellen and Walsh.
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People Collecting Pua Lose All Jobless Aid
People on PUA don’t qualify for any other type of unemployment insurance. During the pandemic, this program supported people who couldn’t work due to child- or dependent-care needs, as well as the self-employed, freelancers, gig workers and part-time workers.
As of Sept. 6, these recipients will not have another safety net to recover lost wages.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Unemployment Compensation
Normally yes. Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service . That means unemployment benefits are always subject to federal taxes, but state taxes on the benefits vary depending on the state where you live.;
However, as part of the stimulus package, the federal government is forgiving taxes on up to $10,200 of unemployment benefits earned in 2020 for individuals earning less than $150,000.;
If you already filed your 2020 taxes, you dont need to amend your return. The IRS is adjusting qualifying returns automatically in two phases. Nearly three million refunds were sent the week of June 7, and another batch of refunds is expected to be distributed later in June. The IRS will send a mailed letter to anyone whose return has been adjusted.
If you havent yet filed your 2020 tax return, If you filed for benefits in 2020, your state should mail you Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payment, which will include your total unemployment compensation received during the year. Youll use this form to determine how much to adjust your tax return calculations in order to get the tax break.;;
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Enhanced Unemployment Extensions Under Covid Relief Stimulus Bill
Common sense has prevailed and President Trump has now signed the $900 billion COVID relief stimulus bill into law, despite his reservations and following widespread condemnation against his last minute complaints. This now releases, among many other items, funding for the enhanced unemployment benefit programs and stimulus checks to millions of Americans.
For those receiving UI benefits under the PUA and PEUC programs you should continue certifying weekly as payments will be made retroactively once the final bill is approved. While you wont receive payments, you want to ensure you dont face delays when back payments start. For those who have exhausted their benefits, they will have to unfortunately have to wait until the final bill is passed before next steps are known.
Opt Grace Period And 90 Days Opt Unemployment Important Facts
International students enrolled in an educational institution in the USA and holding an F1 visa are allowed to gain employment after completing their studies. This employment is known as Optional Practical Training or OPT . F1 student visa holders can pursue OPT for 12 months. Students participating in one of the designated STEM courses get an additional period of 24 months which is known as STEM OPT Extension.
Most of the current and prospective students possess sound knowledge about various aspects related to optional practical training, such as pre-completion & post-completion OPT, part-time &full-time OPT jobs, and application procedure.
But OPT grace period and OPT unemployment are the points or aspects that seem confusing or unclear to many students. Therefore, we have provided a detailed explanation regarding both of them in this blog post. Hope you get benefitted from our efforts.
Essential Facts about Post-Completion OPT
- Nature of Employment
The employment opportunity that you wish to undertake during optional practical training should be related to your major area of study. You can engage in paid jobs, paid internships, unpaid internships, volunteering work, and self-employment. In simple words, your employment can be paid or unpaid. As long as the tasks or activities you perform are related to your field of study and you do not violate any labor laws, lawful F1 status is maintained.
- Number of Hours & Employers
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Is What I See In The Calculator The Exact Amount Ill Receive
No. This calculator shows the average weekly unemployment payment in your state, plus the boost provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. You may qualify for more or less than that amount. Refer to your states unemployment website to learn more about whether you qualify and how much you might receive. This calculator should be used as an estimation tool only.
Apply For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
If you are denied regular benefits, you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance . You should receive an alert in your account about applying for this program. If you do not receive an alert about applying for PUA and you receive an alert to apply for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , you will need to complete the PEUC application before you can apply for PUA.
Key information:
- If your application is approved, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your normal income, up to a maximum of $790.
- You will be asked to upload documents such as your federal tax return as proof of income, which could increase your weekly benefit amount above the minimum of $235. The last day you can submit these documents is either Sept. 6, 2021, or 21 days after you applied for PUA, whichever is later.
- You also will be asked to answer questions that verify your work history. You will have 21 days from the date of the letter to submit your answers.
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Groups Are Calling For Unemployment Insurance Reform
Many worker advocacy groups, including Unemployed Action, ExtendPUA and Unemployed Workers United have been working with policymakers to improve unemployment benefits throughout the pandemic with the ultimate goal of more long-term systemic reform, Jerry says.
Advocates say permanently expanding the pool of workers eligible for jobless aid can improve an inequitable unemployment insurance system. Americans most likely to be supported by today’s temporary PUA and PEUC programs â the long-term unemployed, self-employed, freelancers, gig workers, part-time workers and caregivers â are also disproportionately Black, Hispanic, Asian, women and low-income earners.
“Unemployment insurance is an essential program,” Jerry says, “but it was created in the 1930s and exclusively left out predominantly BIPOC workers. Over the years we’ve made some progress toward reform, but the need for PUA, PEUC and FPUC further demonstrates how much further we need to go.”
/150 Day Unemployment Rules
Base on the Interim Final Rule published April 8, 2008, and the Final Rule Published March 11, 2016, with defective date of May 10, 2016, F-1 student has 90 days aggregated maximum allowed period of unemployment while on the 12-month post-completion OPT and additional 60 days allowed for STEM OPT Extension.
Does the rule mean I have to find a job within the first three months of my OPT or go home?
You must be gainfully employed by the 90th day after the start date listed on your EAD Card. The total number of days allowed for unemployment while on post-completion OPT is a maximum of 90 days.
I am applying/on a STEM OPT Extension . How many total days of unemployment am I allowed?
Students who receive a 24-month STEM OPT Extension are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire post-completion OPT period.
I am qualified for an H-1B Cap Gap Extension. How many total days of unemployment am I allowed?
Students who qualify for an H-1B Cap Gap Extension of employment authorization remain subject to the 90/150 days maximum of unemployment for the entire duration of OPT.
A student who has exceeded the period of unemployment while on post-completion OPT/STEM OPT Extension has violated her/his status unless he/she has taken one of the following actions:
- Applied to continue her/his education by a change of degree level or transferring to another university
- Departed the United States
- Taken action otherwise to maintain legal status
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Will I Have A Lapse Or Delay In Getting My Benefits If A Bill Does Pass This Year
Some are arguing that the ongoing delays in Congress passing a new stimulus bill that includes UI benefits extensions may mean a lapse or extended delay in 2021 payments even if a bill is passed in the next week or two. Based on the challenging rollout of other Pandemic unemployment programs this year, worker advocates say it could take weeks for the antiquated state unemployment systems and programs to get updated and process claims/payments for new benefits.
With Democratic candidate Joe Biden winning the Presidential election and Senate Republicans likely to retain control of the Senate , the probability of a stimulus package containing supplementary unemployment benefits happening this year is very remote as Trump and the Democrats have no political incentive to compromise. This means current and retroactive payments under the CARES act enhanced unemployment programs will expire at the end of the year. Further, it is also highly likely that the next stimulus package will be much smaller and more focused. This means any supplementary unemployment benefits will be in the $300 to $400 range and for a short period . More details will come soon and I will post updates as that happens.
See details on when the renewed unemployment stimulus could be paid if passed in the next few weeks. Payments will be retroactive to September 12th, the week after LWA benefits expired.
For additional unemployment resources and state based information see the UI resource page.
Federal Unemployment Benefits Ending
Federal unemployment benefit programs under the CARES Act ended on September 4, 2021. You will no longer be paid benefits for the following claim types after September 4:
Note:Federal-State Extended Duration benefits will no longer be payable after September 11.
The federal government does not allow benefit payments to be made for weeks of unemployment after these programs end, even if you have a balance left on your claim. Certification weeks eligible for payment before the end of these programs will be processed. This includes weeks eligible for conditional payments. You will be notified about what to expect based on your claim type.
Note: View the following to learn more about benefits ending and other assistance programs still available:
If your program type is:
- UI, you are receiving regular unemployment.
- PEUC, Extension Tier 2, or Extension Tier 2 , you are receiving Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits.
- Extension FED-ED, you have used all PEUC benefits and are now receiving FED-ED extension benefits.
- Disaster Assistance, you are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance . If you arent receiving PUA, you are receiving Disaster Unemployment Assistance following a declared disaster.
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States Aim To Provide Workers With Full $400 Benefits; 1 State Considered $400 But Chose $300
Most states that have submitted applications signaled that they will not provide an additional $100 to unemployed workers, meaning eligible claimants will only receive the $300 in federal funds each week. However, three states so far have decided to match the federal funds, while one states payout is in flux.
How To Apply For Peuc
Anyone who has exhausted their regular unemployment compensation benefits can get an extra 29 weeks of benefits through the PEUC program.
To receive PEUC, you must be actively engaged in looking for work. However, the bill specifies that “a State shall provide flexibility in meeting such requirements in case of individuals unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restriction.” Individual states will offer guidance on how to extend benefits through this program.
In addition to the weekly benefit amount you can receive under PEUC, you will also be eligible for $300 per week under the FPUC program beginning after March 14, 2021, and ending on or before Sept. 5, 2021. Previously, 26 states ended their participation in the FPUC program early, before the Sept. 5 deadline. The best way to confirm the status of your unemployment benefits is to check with your state’s unemployment office. The Department of Labor lists the contact information for all fifty states’ labor offices on its website.
A “nonreduction” rule in the CARES Act prevents states from doing anything to decrease the maximum number of weeks of unemployment insurance or the weekly benefits available under state law as of Jan. 1, 2020.
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How To Collect Extended Unemployment Benefits
How you will collect extended benefits will vary based on your state. In some states, you wont need to do anything. You will automatically be paid for the additional weeks. In others, you may need to apply.
- If you are currently collecting unemployment benefits:Benefits are provided through the state unemployment offices, and information on eligibility will be posted online. If you are eligible, you will be advised on how to collect when your regular unemployment benefits end.;
- If you have exhausted unemployment benefits:Long-term unemployed workers who have already exhausted state unemployment benefits may also be eligible for additional weeks of benefits. Check with your state unemployment website for eligibility criteria in your location.
How To Apply For Unemployment
To submit an individual unemployment claim, please visit this link administered through the West Virginia Department of Commerce and Workforce West Virginia:;
To contact any of the 18 unemployment claim offices around the state, follow this link to access appropriate contact information for your specific claim:;
Questions about applying for unemployment in West Virginia can be directed to Workforce West Virginia by emailing;.
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Biden Stimulus Package Unemployment Extensions
Congress and President Biden have now passed into law the $2 trillion stimulus package, also known as the American Rescue Plan . It includes further unemployment program extensions until September 6th, 2021 for the PUA, PEUC and FPUC programs originally funded under the CARES act in 2020 and then extended via the CAA COVID Relief Bill. The need for another unemployment stimulus was reinforced by the prevailing high unemployment situation in many parts of the country due to the ongoing COVID related economic fallout.
Disadvantages Of Extended Unemployment Benefits
The downside of unemployment benefits is that paying them can, like any other;government spending, increase;budget deficits and add to the government debt. How can this hurt the economy? Investors may become worried that the government can’t pay back its debt.;
Demand;falls for U.S.;Treasury bonds, which are used to finance government spending. This makes interest rates rise, increasing the cost of borrowing for everyone. Most loans;peg;their interest rates to the yield on Treasurys.
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