How Long Will The Extended Federal Unemployment Payments Last
Under the terms of the legislation passed in December, those eligible can get up to 11 payments. While the rollout of payments can vary state to state, all eligible workers will be entitled to the full 11 weeks of extended benefits laid out in the act, regardless of when they get their first payment. Any delayed payments should be paid retroactively to Dec. 27, 2020.
The current program is set to end in mid-March. But President Joseph Biden has proposed a new $1.9 trillion stimulus package, which would further extend federal unemployment benefits. Congress is expected to start discussing the proposed package in the coming days.
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Lost Wages Assistance Program
Lost Wages Assistance is a federal program that adds $300 for each week the program remains federally funded.If you received unemployment benefits for the approved weeks and you were unemployed or working fewer hours due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, you may be eligible for these benefits.
The LWA program is funded only for the approved weeks listed below. Washington was approved for the maximum number of weeks available.
- We process payments weekly. We will pay you for all weeks listed below that are in Paid status. If your status for a week is not yet Paid, we will issue a payment the next time we process payments if the week changes to Paid status.
- We issue payments by direct deposit or debit card. The money will come in a deposit separate from your normal weekly payment.
- See more in the LWA payments section below.
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New $300 Boost To Weekly Supplemental Unemployment Benefits
The stimulus plan also includes a new round of federal unemployment insurance supplementsthis time at $300 per week. All workers who get regular unemployment benefits should be eligible for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs weekly benefits. Those are set to last through mid-March. They wont cover retroactive unemployment, just unemployment claims going forward.
The benefits are akin to those passed in the CARES Act in March, which provided additional short-term $600 weekly federal payments to Americans whod lost work or income because of the pandemic, in addition to any regular state unemployment benefits. Those expired last summer.
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Who Lost Federal Unemployment Benefits On Labor Day
At the very start of the pandemic, the March 2020 CARES Act established temporary federal unemployment aid programs, and the American Rescue Plan in March 2021 extended those benefits to Labor Day. Here’s who was affected by the programs’ expiration, according to a detailed analysis of Labor Department data by the Century Foundation.
More than 3 million additional people lost Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, the weekly bonus — initially $600, then $300 — that helped out-of-work Americans supplement benefits and recover some lost wages. If you’re still eligible to collect state unemployment insurance , you’ll continue to receive some compensation after the cutoff. But the amount will be lower without the weekly $300 bonus.
Some 3.3 million people lost all their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or PEUC, which extended aid to those who had already exhausted their state’s benefits period . This category includes workers who would have no longer been eligible to receive unemployment because they passed their state’s benefit window. The program provided up to 53 weeks of additional aid for those who had exceeded state allowances.
That’s not the full picture of everyone affected by unemployment. Reported jobless rates generally don’t account for those who have left the labor force entirely and are no longer counted as looking for work, such as the long-term unemployed.
The Indiana Department Of Workforce Development Has Begun Sending Out Unemployment Compensation To Around 120000 Who Had Their Benefits Cut 19 June
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb in May ordered an end to federal pandemic unemployment benefits which took effect 19 June. Jobless workers in the state became the first in the nation to file a lawsuit to reverse the governors decision, arguing the governors actions were unlawful.
Governor Holcomb ended the federal programs providing financial aid to out of work Hoosiers claiming that the benefits were harming the state by causing a shortage of available workers to fill open positions. Marion Superior Court Judge John Hanley sided with the workers saying that the harm created by terminating the benefits far outweighed any risks to the state.
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Can I Still Apply For Unemployment Insurance
Each state handles and regulates its unemployment benefits differently, so whether or not you qualify for unemployment will depend on a variety of factors in your state. According to the Department of Labor, there are three general criteria to be eligible for unemployment benefits:
- Youre unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states, this means you can only receive unemployment benefits if theres a lack of available work not if you voluntarily quit or are fired from your job.
- You have to meet hour and/or wage requirements. Each state has its own guidelines for the amount wages earned or hours worked before you can qualify for unemployment.
- You meet any additional requirements in your state. Additional unemployment requirements can vary significantly depending on where you live.
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Who Qualifies For An Extra Payment
The first thing youll need to determine is whether you even qualify for a payment. Youll have to currently be unemployed and receiving benefits to get the $300 payment automatically issued. But if you were unemployed between March 29, 2020, to March 13, 2021, and your benefits ran out, you may still qualify for unemployment compensation through the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation .
If you havent applied for unemployment already, youll need to do so as soon as possible to be eligible for the extra payment. You dont have to be unemployed due to COVID, but you do have to meet your states eligibility criteria for unemployment payments. If you qualify for unemployment in your state, youll qualify for any extra payments being issued.
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Why Did Benefits End Early In So Many States
Citing labor shortages in the spring, 26 state governors claimed pandemic-related unemployment benefits were producing limited incentives for workers to take jobs. Many economists and analysts disagreed, highlighting several factors that prevented people from finding suitable work, including low wages, lack of health care, inadequate child care and fear of contracting COVID-19.
With unemployment claims still fluctuating as the economy struggles to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, reports are showing that the early cancellation of the federal programs had little impact on labor markets. A recent JP Morgan Chase Institute study confirmed that states that ended supplemental unemployment insurance programs during the summer saw a limited impact on job growth.
According to an August report by the Century Foundations Andrew Stettner,Politics, not economics, drove the attack on unemployment insurance. The states that cut off the enhanced benefits before the federal expiration were mostly Republican-led.
Arkansas, Indiana and Maryland were slated to cut off benefits early, but successful lawsuits forced those states to preserve the federal coverage, at least temporarily. In issuing their rulings, judges noted that the ending of benefits made it harder for the unemployed to afford basic needs. Lawsuits were also filed against state governors elsewhere, which were either denied by judges or are still held up in the courts.
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Who Will Get the Extra 11 Weeks of Unemployment?
Those getting regular unemployment from their state as well as PUA can get an additional 11 weeks of payments if needed. That’s good news for those who recently ran out of weeks or will soon face that issue. These extra benefits will go through April 5.
Here’s how that often looks, according to The New York Times:“Most states pay benefits for 26 weeks, though some offer less. After that, the CARES Act had extended benefits by 13 weeks. The latest package would tack on 11 more weeks, bringing the total extension to 24 weeksfor anyone receiving either state benefits or pandemic unemployment assistance.”
Note that if you live in a state where there are already extended benefits these benefits provide extra weeks of unemployment for statesyou will need to exhaust those benefits before getting the extra weeks of benefits listed above, explains Evermore.
2 New Things You Should Know
The first is that if you were getting regular unemployment, but you also had some additional income from a 1099 or similar, there’s a new program that can help you replace that additional income. It’s and people who had at least $5,000 in self-employment income can now receive up to $100 a week in additional unemployment insurance, explains Evermore.
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When Will There Be Another Covid
That’s a good question. After weeks of debates in Congress, Biden’s American Rescue Plan made it to the House through a parliamentary tool called budget reconciliation. The House voted Saturday to pass the legislation meaning it will go to the Senate next. Once there, it will be debated and then voted on. If the Senate approves the bill in any form , it will head to Biden for his signature.
What Information Is Needed To Apply For Unemployment
In order to complete your application, youll need the following information and documents.
- Social Security Number
- Name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Alien registration number and expiration date, if a non-citizen
- Oklahoma Drivers License or state-issued ID card number
- Name and address of the company on your paycheck stub or W-2 form
- Employment start and end date
- Wages earned and how you were paid
- Form SF8 or SF 50 if employed by the Federal government in the last 18 months
- DD Form 214 for military service in the previous 18 months
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Who Will Get the Extra 11 Weeks of Unemployment?
Those getting regular unemployment from their state as well as PUA can get an additional 11 weeks of payments if needed. Thatâs good news for those who recently ran out of weeks or will soon face that issue. These extra benefits will go through April 5.
Hereâs how that often looks, according to The New York Times:âMost states pay benefits for 26 weeks, though some offer less. After that, the CARES Act had extended benefits by 13 weeks. The latest package would tack on 11 more weeks, bringing the total extension to 24 weeksfor anyone receiving either state benefits or pandemic unemployment assistance.â
Note that if you live in a state where there are already extended benefits these benefits provide extra weeks of unemployment for statesyou will need to exhaust those benefits before getting the extra weeks of benefits listed above, explains Evermore.
2 New Things You Should Know
The first is that if you were getting regular unemployment, but you also had some additional income from a 1099 or similar, thereâs a new program that can help you replace that additional income. Itâs and people who had at least $5,000 in self-employment income can now receive up to $100 a week in additional unemployment insurance, explains Evermore.
Have a question for Millie? Email us at [email protected].
How Likely Am I To Receive Unemployment
But just because you apply, it doesnt mean youll be approved. Each state handles claims differently, and approval rates vary. For example, while more than 50% of laid-off workers get unemployment checks in New Jersey, only 10.5% do in North Carolina, according to the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
- First payment: Payment will arrive two to three weeks after your initial claim
- Payment options: Direct deposit or the AL Vantage Prepaid Benefits Card
- First payment: Payment will arrive two to three weeks after your initial claim.
- Payment options: Direct deposit or Debit Card.
- First payment: Payment will arrive within 15 days after your initial claim.
- Payment options: Electronic Payment Card
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Which Unemployment Aid Was Extended
The rescue package extended benefits for two critical unemployment programs. The first is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a program created to provide unemployment benefits to gig workers and others typically not eligible.
The second is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which extended the typical 26 weeks of state benefits by an extra 13 weeks under the CARES Act, passed in March.
Base pay: Minimum wage set to rise in 20 states, 32 localities as growing number adopt $15 an hour
Both programs will now last at least an additional 11 weeks, from Dec. 27 through March 14, which means the 39-week benefit limit for PEUC has been increased to 50 weeks. Those receiving unemployment under PUA or PEUC on March 14 who havent exhausted their 50 weeks can continue to claim benefits until April 5.
Some states may take longer to reinstate PUA and PEUC, but recipients should still get their money retroactively, experts say.
When will I get the $300 bonus?
How long it will take for jobless workers to receive the funds will be left to state unemployment departments. The additional $300 per week will start reaching workers by mid-January in most states, experts estimate.
How To Track Your Refund And Check Your Tax Transcript
The first way to get clues about your refund is to try the IRS online tracker applications: The Wheres My Refund tool can be accessed here. If you filed an amended return, you can check the Amended Return Status tool.
If those tools dont provide information on the status of your unemployment tax refund, another way to see if the IRS processed your refund is by viewing your tax records online. You can also request a copy of your transcript by mail or through the IRS automated phone service by calling 1-800-908-9946.
Heres how to check your tax transcript online:
1. Visit IRS.gov and log in to your account. If you havent opened an account with the IRS, this will take some time as youll have to take multiple steps to confirm your identity.
2. Once logged in to your account, youll see the Account Home page. Click View Tax Records.
3. On the next page, click the Get Transcript button.
4. Here youll see a drop-down menu asking the reason you need a transcript. Select Federal Tax and leave the Customer File Number field empty. Click the Go button.
5. The following page will show a Return Transcript, Records of Account Transcript, Account Transcript and Wage & IncomeTranscript for the last four years. Youll want the 2020 Account Transcript.
6. This will open a PDF of your transcript: Focus on the Transactions section. What youre looking for is an entry listed as Refund issued, and it should have a date in late May or June.
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Am I Eligible For Unemployment
Thanks to some tweaks to unemployment law made by Covid-19 legislation, more people qualify for unemployment than before. You qualify if you:
- Have been laid off by your employer
- Have been furloughed by your employer
- Are self-employed and have lost work
- Are a gig worker like an Uber/Lyft driver, or an independent contractor, suddenly out of work
- Are unemployed and only seeking part-time work
- Cannot reach your place of work as a result of COVID-19
- Quit your job as a direct result of COVID-19
How Long Will The Benefits Last
Trump directed the use of funds from FEMAs Disaster Relief Fund, which would be capped at $44 billion, lasting until December. But experts say states will run through the funds quickly.
More than 25 million people had received the $600 weekly bonus. With the enhanced unemployment aid capped at $44 billion, Stettner estimates that the additional aid will last just over a month, or about $10 billion per week, if the same number of people receive the bonus and if every state participates.
States approved for the program are guaranteed three weeks of funding, according to FEMA.
The program will run until Dec. 6, according to Trumps memorandum, or until the $44 billion in FEMA aid runs out. It could also end earlier if the Disaster Relief Fund depletes to $25 billion, or Congress passes new legislation on federal unemployment benefits, whichever happens first. The fund had a balance of $74 billion as of July 31, according to FEMA.
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About The Peuc Extension
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation provided up to 53 additional weeks of payments if youve used all of your available unemployment benefits.
- The first 13 weeks were available from March 29, 2020 to September 4, 2021. In UI Online, your claim type displays as PEUC.
- After collecting the first 13 weeks, an additional 11 weeks were available beginning on or after December 27, 2020 to September 4, 2021. Your claim type displays as Extension Tier 2 in UI Online.
- After collecting the first 24 weeks, an additional 29 weeks were available beginning on or after March 14, 2021 to September 4, 2021. Your claim type displays as Extension Tier 2 in UI Online.
To have qualified for a PEUC extension, your regular UI claim must have started on July 8, 2018, or after.
If you ran out of benefits within your benefit year
- If you ran out of benefits within your benefit year, we automatically filed your PEUC extension on your regular unemployment claim.
- If you were collecting on a FED-ED extension, you continued to collect it until it was exhausted. We filed the additional weeks of the PEUC extension after you used all FED-ED benefits.
If your benefit year ended
