Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Phase 2a Applications Now Open
July 13, 2020The following information is from the CT Department of Labor:
The CT Department of Labor (DOL) is now accepting applications for “Phase 2a” of the PUA program.
PUA is intended for those who are not eligible for, or have exhausted entitlement to, state and federal benefits. Federal guidelines require that applicants are determined ineligible for state benefits before applying for PUA.
Currently, applications are being accepted for individuals who are self-employed, 1099 and “gig” workers, Peace Corps volunteers, and workers who are not covered by regular unemployment benefits (i.e. some employees of religious institutions).
These are individuals who have either exhausted benefits or have a state Unemployment Insurance eligibility disqualification.
Some examples of such individuals are those who:
• quit their employment
• were discharged by their employer
• have insufficient earnings for a second state benefit year
• exhausted benefits within the current benefit year
• have been unavailable and/or unable to work
Therefore, an individual could be found eligible for PUA if a specific COVID-19 reason – since February 2, 2020 – triggered the individual’s unemployment or a specific COVID-19 reason triggered the individual’s lack of ability and/or availability for employment as is normally required under both federal and state unemployment law.
It is very important to remember that an applicant’s eligibility will be reviewed according to the following federal criteria:
• The individual has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis.
• A member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• The individual is providing care for a family member or a member of the individual’s household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• A child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for the individual to work.
• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because the individual has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
• The individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• The individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19.
• The individual has to quit his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19.
• The individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Step 1: File a regular state claim application with the CTDOL at www.filectui.com, using the blue button to file for state benefits.
Step 2: Go to CTDOL www.filectui.com and click on the red PUA button for PUA and complete your federal application. The system will have a record of your ineligibility status to receive state benefits.
For more PUA guidance go to http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/PUA/index.htm for table of contents and http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/PUA/filePUA.htm for comprehensive filing instructions.
