Federal Unemployment Assistance Coming to Eligible Claimants

September 10, 2020

The pandemic is still causing widespread financial worry. But there may be some good news for you.

If you qualified for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) some months back, you may qualify to receive additional funds through a new federal program.

Beginning next week, the Lost Wages Assistance Program will provide some eligible unemployment insurance claimants an additional $300 per week in their benefits.

If you already have been receiving benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA), then you already are preapproved to receive these additional funds and do not need to apply for the program.

If, however, you have not already been approved for PUA, then you must certify that your total or partial unemployment was directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To self-certify:

  • Log in to your unemployment account - the account main page offers a new option in the menu “Certify for Lost Wages Assistance.”
  • Once you have clicked on the button, a new screen will ask you to certify your unemployment or underemployment is due to COVID-19.
  • You may then confirm submission and complete the process.

For further information on this new program, please click HERE. You may also read frequently asked questions about this program by clicking HERE.

As always, my office is here to help troubleshoot any problems you may experience with filing.