Unemployment Benefits

If you are reading this in 2020, we’ve just had a massive financial downturn due to coronavirus. Brick and mortar business are forced to shut down everywhere to slow the spread of this pandemic. Employees that can work remotely are at risk of losing their jobs due to sheer lack of volume in business. As I’m writing this 6.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment. Nearly all businesses have come to a screeching halt. How then are individuals and families going to make it through a time like this?

Unemployment Benefits are offered through each state. Most states require you to file/apply for unemployment benefits online. If that option isn’t available to you, toll-free numbers or other ways to file are available (check with your state.) During times of crisis, their websites can get overwhelmed, so they encourage everyone to be patient and try applying again later.

If it is an exceptional time like a crisis, laws and updates to benefits might be frequent so it may be a good idea to get on their newsletter or notification list to stay updated.

Where do you go to apply for unemployment?

The U.S. Department of Labor is in a partnership with the American Job Center network. And, the first place to visit is www.careeronestop.org. There you will apply for your state unemployment and find the new benefits related to COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance. They mention, “In general, benefits are based on a percentage of your earnings over a recent 52-week period, and each state sets a maximum amount. Benefits are subject to federal and most state income taxes and must be reported on your income tax return. You may choose to have the tax withheld from your payment.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update: The federal government is allowing new options for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits related to COVID-19. For example, federal law allows states to pay benefits where:

• An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
• An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
• An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.”

There is also a new federal law for self-employed and gig workers, which “provide an extra $600 per week as well as an additional 13 weeks of benefits. Read more at COVID-19 Information.”