https://www.askamanager.org/2020/03/...efits-law.html
On Friday, major new unemployment benefits were signed into law ? and they significantly expand who can collect unemployment, for how long, and how much you?ll receive.
Here are the highlights of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:
? From now until July 31, everyone collecting unemployment will receive their regular state benefit, plus an additional $600 per week from the federal government.
? Once your state unemployment benefits run out (in most states that?s after 26 weeks), you?ll be able to get an additional 13 weeks of benefits on top of those.
? Between now and December 31, many people will be eligible to collect unemployment who usually aren?t: independent contractors, freelancers, gig workers, and other self-employed people, plus part-time workers and people who don?t have a long-enough work history to otherwise qualify. (This is only if you are unemployed because of the outbreak or unable to work because of it.)
Answers to some questions I?m hearing a lot:
What if I had accepted a new job but hadn?t started it yet and now the new job has fallen through because of this crisis?
You?ll be eligible for unemployment, assuming you?re not still working at your previous job. Go ahead and file.
What if I started a new job but quickly got laid off because of the crisis, and I don?t have much work history before this?
You?ll be eligible for unemployment, even if your work history wouldn?t normally be enough to qualify you. Go ahead and file.
What if I?m a recent grad who hasn?t started working yet (or someone else new to the workforce), had been looking for a job, but hadn?t found one yet?
You will not be eligible, unless you have a prior, recent work history.
What if I?m self-employed and my business isn?t bringing in money right now because of the crisis?
Freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, and the self-employed will be eligible for unemployment though a new program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. (Your unemployment must be related to the coronavirus outbreak.) Go ahead and file.
What if I recently ran out of unemployment? Will I be eligible for the extension?
As best as I can tell, you will be eligible for the additional 13 weeks of extended benefits and the extra $600/week, but you?ll probably have to file again.
What if I?m not working because I have coronavirus or need to care for a family member who does?
You?ll be eligible for unemployment if you?re not working because you?re experiencing symptoms, have been advised by a health care provider to quarantine, or have received a diagnosis, or if you?re caring for a family member who has. Go ahead and file.
What if I?m unable to work because my child?s school or day care is closed because of the outbreak?
You?ll be eligible for unemployment. Go ahead and file.
What if I quit my job because of something related to coronavirus?
It depends on the specifics. If you quit because of one of the situations above (your child?s school closed and you need to care for them at home, or your doctor recommended you quarantine), you?ll be eligible for unemployment. But if you quit because you worried about the safety of continuing to work and your employer insisted on staying open, it doesn?t look like you?d be eligible.