Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is set to launch May 12. Applications will start processing the week of May 12 and payments will begin for eligible claimants that same week.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today it has acquired the services of Geographic Solutions Inc. to implement a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program system and get assistance to Arizonans faster.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, which enacts a number of changes to unemployment compensation.
These changes include the creation of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides benefits for certain individuals who are not eligible for Unemployment Insurance. This includes individuals who:
- have exhausted all rights to such benefits
- self-employed
- seeking part-time employment
- lack sufficient work history
- do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits
under state or Federal law or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals.
Payments will be retroactive to the date of eligibility back to the week of February 2, 2020. Individuals who are eligible under PUA will receive a weekly benefit amount, ranging from $117 to $240 per week. And eligible for the additional $600 per week included in the CARES Act as well. Individuals will be eligible to receive these retroactive payments based on their eligibility status in those prior weeks.
DES continues to communicate with all individuals who have been denied for being monetarily ineligible for regular Unemployment Insurance back to the effective date of the PUA as outlined in the CARES Act. The Department will contact individuals if additional action is needed. Most importantly, Individuals should keep a record of their earnings each week. Reason being to determine ongoing eligibility for PUA.
Click here for updates and additional information from Arizona Department of Economic Security.
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