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You are here: Home / Finance / How to File for Unemployment Benefits During COVID-19
How to File for Unemployment Benefits During COVID-19

How to File for Unemployment Benefits During COVID-19

May 1, 2020 By Cade Hildreth Leave a Comment

With Coronavirus induced lockdowns, closures and quarantines sweeping the globe, millions of people are suddenly trying to navigate the murky path of how to file for unemployment benefits. If this is you, you’re in good company.

Approximately 30 million people have filed for unemployment benefits since the Coronavirus lockdowns struck in March 2020. That is more than three times as many as the 8.7 million people who sought unemployment benefits during the entire Great Recession. Even when adjusting for population growth, the numbers are extremely concerning.

The record number of unemployment claims is due to companies having to shut down in the wake to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve suddenly found yourself unemployed or furloughed, the entire process can be confusing and you might not know how to file for unemployment.

Here’s a deep dive into how to file for unemployment and other pertinent facts surrounding the benefits you should know about.

What Are Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment benefits are compensation that unemployment insurance offers to those who have become jobless.

These benefits apply to workers who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. That can be due to layoffs, restructuring, retrenchment or any other reason.

The compensation that comes from unemployment benefits can be in two forms. Either as a direct deposit in your account or an unemployment check. It’s meant to provide part of the lost income for a particular period or until when you find another job.

The United States government manages the unemployment compensation program. Each state does collaborate with the federal government to run the program.

The funding to support the program comes in large part from the state. But, federal payroll taxes submitted by employers also play a part.

Coronavirus and Unemployment

On March 17th, 2020, the federal government announced a $2.2 trillion stimulus package. That was after a horrendous week that led to 3.3 million Americans filing for unemployment.

The law is called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Its aim is to offer direct cash transfers for every eligible adult. Furthermore, the act also introduces the expansion of the existing unemployment benefits.

Specifically, the act gives every eligible adult up to $1,200. Additionally, there’s an extra $500 for every child under the age of 16 in the household.

The new legislation also created the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. Through FPUC, workers who have been laid off and furloughed due to COVID-19 can get up to $600 more per week in federal unemployment benefits.

This “boost” in unemployment benefits will run through July 31st, 2020.

With the passing of the CARES Act, the mandatory wait period was also suspended. Successful applicants won’t have to wait for seven days before the funding kicks in.

The act also adds 13 more weeks to receive unemployment. That’s thanks to the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

Another critical expansion of the benefits under the act is through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Essentially, self-employed people don’t qualify for regular unemployment insurance (or any of its extensions) can also receive compensation.

That is especially critical due to a large number of independent contractors and self-employed workers who typically aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits.

How to File for Unemployment

Since each state manages its unemployment insurance program (in partnership with the federal government), you’ll need the specific details for your state.

Typically, you can apply for unemployment benefits through the state’s labor department. If there’s no such department in your state, then look up the relevant unemployment agency handling the benefits.

Make sure you apply in the state in which you work and not where you live if the two differ.

When making the application, you’ll need to submit information to the state for processing. That can include your employer’s address and the dates which you worked for them.

If your application goes through, then, your first compensation should come in within two to three weeks.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, state agencies are handling a deluge of requests for unemployment benefits. Thus, you should make your application online if your state normally takes in applications through the phone.

Some states are also waiving the mandatory weekly job search report requirement in light of the current crisis. As such, you won’t need to fill in information every week on your job hunting efforts.

How Much Can You Expect to Get in Unemployment Benefits?

Since the goal of unemployment benefits is to replace the income you used to receive partially, the amount will depend on your former earnings.

Even though each state will use a different formula to arrive at the exact figure, all of them will take what you used to earn into account.

One common approach is to pay 50% of what you previously earned up to a capped amount that’s tied to the state’s average earnings.

The implication for those who used to earn higher wages is that though they will receive higher benefits, it’ll be less than what they used to take home. The issuing state determines the maximum amount a beneficiary can receive per week.

Another little known fact is that unemployment benefits are taxable.

You can, therefore, choose to have up to 10% of your benefits go towards paying your federal taxes.

But, what about applicants who are earning some other income and have applied for unemployment benefits? For example, you may pick up a temporary job for a day or two while being unemployed. As a rule, that other income will reduce the overall unemployment benefits you get.

Any such earnings you receive must be reported to the state’s unemployment agency.

How Long Do Unemployment Benefits Last?

Under normal economic conditions, most of the states offer unemployment compensation for 26 weeks. However, each state controls the period of pay, and as such, it can vary from as little as 12 weeks to as many as 30.

During crisis times, an extension can be given. That applies to the COVID-19 pandemic where many are jobless and others working from home.

In particular, due to the COVID-19 crisis, many states have extended the timeline for unemployment benefits by an extra 13 weeks.

Therefore, if you successfully apply for unemployment benefits, you could now receive compensation for a total of 39 weeks.

How to File for Unemployment in 2020

More people are out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic than there were in the entire Great Recession. If you now find yourself in need of unemployment compensation, the process can be intimidating.

As such, you need to seek out the right information on how to file for unemployment, including knowing where to apply for it in the state you work in.

Still have questions about how to file for unemployment? Ask your questions in the comments below.

Up Next: What To Do With Your Money During the Coronavirus Recession?

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“As an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, real estate investor, former USA Rugby Player, and fitness fanatic, I’ll teach you what your parents and teachers should’ve taught you, but didn’t know themselves.” -Cade Hildreth

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Because it’s the New Year, let’s talk about ch Because it’s the New Year, let’s talk about change...

For a long time, I’ve thought about top surgery. I remember when I was 6 or 7 years old when I wanted to run around outside on a hot, sunny day with my shirt off…and I first saw my parents… hesitate. Ughh. 

It wasn’t their fault but I still remember that heart wrenching feeling. To their credit, they ultimately said, “Ok, go do it!” While I did “do it”, I remember the feeling of shame that crept in.

Over the years, being in affirming sporting/rugby circles helped suppress the urge to get top surgery, but it never quite “stayed down.”

So last summer I got keyhole #topsurgery. I’ll talk about recovery in another post because it was definitely weird to not strength train for months.

But in THIS post, I want to share two things:

1. I am SO grateful to my wife Erin for being the supportive and growth oriented partner that she is. 🥰🙏❤️ 

She is now following her call to get a divinity degree and she’s already working in ministry as a Pastor in Training at an incredible, inclusive Presbyterian church here in Virginia. I am grateful to her for supporting me as I become more and more of who I am—and I’m enjoying watching her do the same! Love you, babe!

2. Second, I’m grateful to get to share who I am with my family. This summer we took a trip to Madden’s resort in MN to celebrate my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. (It was actually their 52nd, because we had to postpone it twice due to Covid.)

I was nervous to be in the pools and lakes around them, but I could feel it was my only choice because I knew I wanted them to “know me”. And, how could that happen if I “hid me”?

Ultimately, I have to tell you…it was freeing to be me, as I am, who I am. 

I had the BEST time splashing around and biking and goofing around with my wife, niece, nephew, & sister. 🌊🏖🐟

So, I suppose, this is a gratitude post to thank those who have supported me over the years as I become more and more of who I am. 

Top of that list is my wife, Erin, but there are countless others. ❤️

If you’re reading this, thank YOU for being one of those people in my life too. I am deeply grateful. 🥹
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1. Good and bad are labels. All things are experiences. 

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3. Having a loving, conscious relationship with myself is a core value. 

4. Emotions do not mean that anything has to be done. 

5. When I am in congruence with what I want, I have it. 

6. I have permission from myself to stop doing anything that doesn’t lead to my peace and empowerment. 

7. Stepping toward emotions and being able to feel them is a superpower. It determines the quality of my life. 

(Are there any above that you’d like me to further explain?)
 
Most importantly, which # above resonates with you? ⬆️

Happy New Year, y’all! 🎊🥳
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I invited Jenny onto the podcast because she has done something extraordinary that is long overdue: She has opened up a sports bar that exclusively plays women's sports!

Despite extensive research, Jenny hasn't found another sports bar worldwide that ONLY plays women’s sports.

Given that it's nearly 2023, this is mind-blowing. As a lifelong athlete, I find her vision compelling and inspiring.

Aptly called the "The Sports Bra", the venue is putting Jenny's culinary skills on display alongside women's sports worldwide.

The Sports Bar has taken its mission a even further by partnering with and elevating other local, women-owned businesses.

Specifically, it:

1. Sources its grass-fed beef from @CarmanRanch, an ranch run by Cory Carman, a third gen rancher out of Wallowa, Oregon).

2. Sources its alcohol from Freeland Spirits, an all-women owned and operated distillery out of NW Portland.

3. Has furniture built by @girlsbuild_org, a non-profit organization headed by @ktmhughes in Portland, OR, that teaches carpentry and construction skills to young girls as a path to empowerment.

Since opening the Sports Bra this April, people have come from ALL over the U.S. and the world to experience it—including many professional female athletes.

To learn more about Jenny as she makes history, features women's sports, and elevates women-run businesses, listen to the episode here:

shorturl.at/doGHZ

Or, you can check out the Sports Bra at:

@thesportsbrapdx
TheSportsBraPDX.com/

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Over this recent holiday stretch, we… - enjoye Over this recent holiday stretch, we… 

- enjoyed some quiet time at home
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- decorated for the holidays
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