COVID-19 information

The CARES Act and other federal programs expanded and extended unemployment benefits for many claimants. The week ending Sept. 4, 2021, was the last payable week for:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

The additional $300 per week for all eligible claimants also expired on Sept. 4, 2021. By federal law, all claimants were getting $300 in addition to their usual weekly benefit amount for a limited time, except those receiving Training Benefits.

For those with claims pending in adjudication or appeal after Sept. 4:
Benefits will be available. If we find that you are eligible, we will pay benefits for weeks claimed before Sept. 4, 2021.

What all claimants should do:

1. Continue filing weekly claims for weeks you want to get benefits.
2. Watch for updates on this page, via email, social media and messages in eServices.
3. Respond to any of our requests for information. Even if you have stopped claiming or found a job, we still might need to contact you.
4. Please try not to call our Unemployment Claims Center with general questions. Call volume remains high. Find the latest information on this page and in the COVID-19 Q&As.

What if I’m still denied benefits for weeks I claimed on my regular unemployment (UI), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or Extended Benefits (EB) claims?

If you haven’t already filed an application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and you were denied benefits on a regular claim, you must have applied for PUA by October 6, 2021, which is 30 days after the end of the program. If approved, weeks you were disqualified that fall within the eligible period for PUA will be transferred to your PUA claim.

To request to file a PUA application more than 30 days after the expiration of the program, you must meet the following criteria:

• Filed a UI claim prior to October 7, 2021.
• Received a determination denying regular UI/PEUC/EB benefits dated October 7, 2021 or later for weeks within the PUA payable period of February 2, 2020 and September 4, 2021. This determination can be a monetary, nonmonetary or appeal decision.
• Requested to apply for PUA within 21 days of the date of your UI denial determination.