01/10/2021
TAP IN MY UNEMPLOYMENT PEOPLE:
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Once implemented, will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of up to 50 weeks.
Will require a weekly certification specifying a specific “COVID-19 CARES Act reason,” beginning on January 26.
Will require individuals to substantiate employment or self-employment in the most recent tax year, beginning on January 31.
Will require identity verification at the outset of a claim, beginning on January 26.
Will impose new limitations on backdating claims.
Will be available until the week ending March 13. Those still eligible on March 13 and who have weeks remaining may file through April 10.
Will provide states with new authority to waive PUA and Lost Wages Assistance overpayments, under certain conditions.
Requires PUA appeals to be conducted in the same manner and extent as traditional unemployment appeals.
Update: PUA claims can be filed for weeks prior to December 27. However, due to the transition, new PUA applications and claims for weekly PUA benefits cannot be accepted at this time. ODJFS expects to have the PUA system back up and running by the third week in January for those who previously were approved to receive up to 39 weeks of these benefits, so they can again file weekly claims. System programming will be needed before new claims can be filed. All claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Once implemented, will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of up to 24 weeks, for eligible individuals who exhaust their traditional unemployment benefits
Will be available until the week ending March 13. Those still eligible on March 13 and who have weeks remaining may file through April 10.
Will provide states the option to allow individuals to continue receiving PEUC even if they qualify for traditional unemployment in a subsequent benefit year, if certain other conditions are met. This includes if their traditional unemployment weekly benefit amount would be at least $25 lower than the PEUC amount.
Update: New PEUC applications can be filed, and those who previously were approved to receive up to 13 weeks of PEUC benefits through the CARES Act may file claims for those weeks and receive payment. System programming will be needed to provide the additional 11 weeks of PEUC benefits. All claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for, retroactive to as early as December 27, 2020.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
Will provide up to 11 weeks of an additional $300 weekly benefit to eligible claimants in multiple programs.
Will be available for weeks of unemployment between December 27, 2020, and the week ending March 13, 2021.
Update: ODJFS expects to be able to issue FPUC payments by the third week in January. All claimants will receive all benefits they are eligible for, retroactive to as early as December 27, 2020.
Employer Benefits
Extends full federal funding for Ohio’s SharedWork program.
Extends 50% credits to reimbursing employers for traditional unemployment benefit charges.
Extends federal payment of the first week of traditional unemployment benefits, at 50% instead of 100%.
Requires claimants to be notified about state return-to-work requirements.
Extends the waiver of interest to states whose Unemployment Insurance Trust Funds require federal borrowing.
In addition, the legislation created a new program:
Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation
For individuals eligible for traditional unemployment benefits who also have earned wages in self-employment.
Once implemented, will provide an additional $100 a week, on top of the $300 FPUC benefit.
