PA Pandemic Unemployment Compensation: Who's Eligible

Unemployment Assistance for the self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers will soon be available in Pennsylvania.

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania's new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — money for the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers impacted by coronavirus — will begin accepting applications in the next few days, the has state announced.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, also called PUA, is included in the new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry will announce when the PUA website is ready to accept applications. On Friday, the agency said it would be within days.

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Until then, Pennsylvanians who meet eligibility requirements should start getting together the information needed to file a claim and get benefits soon.

Find out what's happening in Across Pennsylvania with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's what you need to know about PUA:

Who Should File for PUA

Eligible individuals who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, including:

• Self-employed;
• Independent contractors;
• Gig workers;
• People without sufficient work history to qualify for regular UC; and
• People who have exhausted regular UC or extended benefits.

PUA Benefits

• Provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits;
• May not be more than the state’s maximum weekly benefit rate for regular UC of $572;
• May not be less than half of the state’s average weekly benefit amount of $195.
• Payments will be backdated to Jan. 27, 2020 or the first week you were unable to work due to COVID-19 (whichever of the two dates is later); and
• Benefits will end Dec. 31, 2020.

Information Needed for Proof of Employment or Self-employment

Acceptable documentation can include, but is not limited to:

• Copies of recent paycheck stubs;
• Bank receipts showing deposits;
• 1099s;
• Billing notices provided to your customers;
• Recent advertisements for your business or services;
• Statements from recent customers;
• Current business licenses, ledgers, contracts, invoices; and/or
• Building leases.

Information Needed to Show Previous Income

Acceptable documentation of wages can include, but is not limited to:

• Tax returns;
• Paycheck stubs;
• Bank receipts;
• Ledgers;
• Contracts;
• Invoices; and/or
• Billing statements.

Additional $600 Per Week

Individuals collecting PUA benefits will also eligible for the extra $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. The additional payments will be:

• Effective from the week ending April 4 through the week ending July 25;
• Backdated and paid in one lump sum; and
• Automatic – you don’t need to do anything to receive the extra $600.

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