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!WHEN ASKING A QUESTION POST YOUR LOCATION OR OTHERS WILL BE UNABLE TO ASSIST!

You are eligible for the $600 weekly FPUC payment if you are on any sort of unemployment, including PUA and partial unemployment. This is available for claims dated 3/28/20-7/31/20. The federal supplement does not affect eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP. It does affect SNAP and TANF.

If you filed for UI more than a week after your layoff date, you are eligible for backpay.

The obligatory waiting week has been waived, so your claim will process with a date a week earlier than what you apply for, to account for the waiting week waiver.

NY
There is a streamlined application process so that all applicants complete the same form, regardless of which program they'll eventually be eligible for.
PUA:
Unemployment for the self-employed. Acceptable proof of income includes prior year tax returns, 1099, P&L, bank statements and more. You will most likely be approved for standard UI even if you're an independent contractor, if you had W2 employment within the last 18 months.
If you are assigned the minimum rate of $182 when it should be higher based on your income, complete this form, fax it in, then send it again via the message center (Subject1: "Benefit Rate and Monetary Determination" Subject2: "Some of my wages are missing or incorrect") so that they definitely got it. Your rate should be adjusted in less than a week. You are also entitled to get your updated rate on all prior weeks.
You are also eligible for PUA if you landed a job but where unable to start due to the pandemic. You need an employment offer that was then rescinded to prove this.
PUA is available for a total of 46 weeks from 02/02/20-12/31/20.
Partial UI:
You can apply for partial UI if you're working 3 days or less, and earning $504/weekly or less. The DOL deducts 25% of your base rate for every day that you work. (You receive 100% of your rate if you don't work at all, 75% if you work 1 day, 50% if you work 2 days, and 25% if you work 3 days).
PEUC:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks. This benefit is available through 12/31/20.
Extended Benefits:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 20 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks and your PEUC weeks. This makes for a total of 59 weeks that you can possible receive unemployment benefits. This benefit is available as long as the state's unemployment rate is high.
Requesting Backpay:
The NY DOL is using Docusign to allow claimants to file backpay. You should receive an email from the DOL with instructions. The email subject is "Action Required - NYS DOL Certification for Back Week Payments". This might end up in your spam folder, so be sure to check that as well.
If you don't receive this email or you don't want to wait, call the NY DOL and speak to an agent to certify for backpay over the phone.
It takes a little less than a week from when you complete backdated certifications until your claims are processed and funds are released.
$0 Benefit Determination:
Email @cgr for instructions on a fix for this issue

You can email @cgr at chaiplus1@gmail.com for help with any unemployment questions.


NJ
Apply here.
PUA:
Unemployment for the self-employed. Acceptable proof of income includes prior year tax returns, 1099, P&L, bank statements and more. You will most likely be approved for standard UI even if you're an independent contractor, if you had W2 employment within the last 18 months.
At this point it looks like claimants are still being given $231- the minimum PUA rate- regardless of prior income.
You are also eligible for PUA if you landed a job but where unable to start due to the pandemic. You need an employment offer that was then rescinded to prove this.
PUA is available for a total of 46 weeks from 02/02/20-12/31/20.
Partial UI:
You can apply for partial UI if your hours have been reduced by 20% or more. You'll be allowed to earn an additional 20% above your rate determination. Your earnings will then be deducted from your rate, and you'll receive the balance as your UI payment.
PEUC:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks. This benefit is available through 12/31/20.
Extended Benefits:
For those on regular unemployment- you will receive an additional 20 weeks of benefits after you've exhausted your initial 26 weeks and your PEUC weeks. This makes for a total of 59 weeks that you can possible receive unemployment benefits. This benefit is available as long as the state's unemployment rate is high.
Requesting Backpay:
You can request backpay if you are lucky enough to get through to an agent.

Here is a guide for NJ residents from the LRRC.
« Last edited by cgr on November 27, 2020, 09:48:37 AM »

Author Topic: Unemployment Help  (Read 483183 times)

Online cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3420 on: November 08, 2020, 03:40:40 PM »
But I saw a few people who only got Backpay up to the remaining days available.
i.e. someone who had 8 days remaining and 4 missing weeks, he called and was told that they are processing it for him, but a few days later he got only 2 weeks and the available days is at 0.

That's because agents love making everything as difficult as possible these days.

There needs to be a certification to jumpstart the adding of more days (internally)- if you don't certify after reaching 0 the additional days don't get added. I suggest these people call in and certify for those weeks again. It might take a few calls and a few weeks with the way things have been going, but they're entitled to those funds.

Offline yosefsv

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3421 on: November 08, 2020, 09:13:21 PM »
That's because agents love making everything as difficult as possible these days.

There needs to be a certification to jumpstart the adding of more days (internally)- if you don't certify after reaching 0 the additional days don't get added. I suggest these people call in and certify for those weeks again. It might take a few calls and a few weeks with the way things have been going, but they're entitled to those funds.
Thanks. Will try it out.
If it benefits even just one fellow DDFer, its worth posting it.

Online cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3422 on: November 09, 2020, 03:39:08 PM »
PSA:
If you are eligible for PUA or UI and have not yet applied, we urge you to do so soon. PUA (as of now) expires the week ending prior to 12/31/20, which leaves less than 2 months to expiration. While this might seem like ample time, applications can take a while to process, especially if issues crop up. Additionally, backpay has been increasingly difficult to procure, oftentimes taking longer than two months. While there has been no official statement on the matter, we believe that once PUA expires it will not be possible to apply and receive backpay any longer. While this does not directly affect UI claimants, we have seen a trend of increasing difficulties in applications and backpay, and it's very possible that come 2021 backpay will be denied altogether for 2020 weeks.

PUA is just one of many programs expiring at year-end. For more program information see my signature block below.

Offline ShimshonK

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3423 on: November 09, 2020, 05:32:14 PM »
NJ.

Were there any exceptions made for corporate officers who were laid off (more specifically, an S Corp owner who loses business, and therefore, stops paying themselves a salary) to claim traditional UI, or is PUA would the only way to go?

If claiming PUA - In this case, payroll has never been processed yet for 2020, but will need to process a paycheck for the entire year (reasonable salary for the IRS). Is it better to process this once annual payroll/paycheck before claiming PUA or after? I'm worried the DOL will see a large amount of wages paid and it might raise red flags, even though it's compensation for the whole year (up until the claim).

Offline miles lover

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3424 on: November 10, 2020, 04:13:03 AM »
PSA:
If you are eligible for PUA or UI and have not yet applied, we urge you to do so soon. PUA (as of now) expires the week ending prior to 12/31/20, which leaves less than 2 months to expiration. While this might seem like ample time, applications can take a while to process, especially if issues crop up. Additionally, backpay has been increasingly difficult to procure, oftentimes taking longer than two months. While there has been no official statement on the matter, we believe that once PUA expires it will not be possible to apply and receive backpay any longer. While this does not directly affect UI claimants, we have seen a trend of increasing difficulties in applications and backpay, and it's very possible that come 2021 backpay will be denied altogether for 2020 weeks.

PUA is just one of many programs expiring at year-end. For more program information see my signature block below.
How can they deny backpay if their websites and call centers weren’t an option ?

Online cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3425 on: November 10, 2020, 09:22:33 AM »
How can they deny backpay if their websites and call centers weren’t an option ?
If you filed a timely claim and they were the issue, I do think you'll be able to get your backpay. If you're going to file a claim on 12/20/20 dated March, I don't have that much hope...

Offline elimmm

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3426 on: November 10, 2020, 09:49:57 AM »
whats the best way to apply for backpay now and how long is typical till they deposit the money?

Offline etech0

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3427 on: November 10, 2020, 10:26:00 AM »
If you filed a timely claim and they were the issue, I do think you'll be able to get your backpay.
i sure hope so
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3428 on: November 10, 2020, 11:17:53 AM »
whats the best way to apply for backpay now and how long is typical till they deposit the money?
NY or NJ?

Offline schneury

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3429 on: November 10, 2020, 01:10:54 PM »

Online cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3430 on: November 10, 2020, 01:20:09 PM »
Im interested in NJ

You need to file your application (make sure to answer the "last date worked" correctly to enable you to get all backpay you're entitled to), and once you receive approval start calling to get backpay released.

I don't think there are enough data points yet of backpay to answer:
how long is typical till they deposit the money?

Offline gozalim

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3431 on: November 10, 2020, 02:59:41 PM »
Calling all business owners whose employees filed for unemployment:
I'm trying to gather data points for NY and NJ, to see if claims were indeed billed to employers, and if so which ones.

If you have a good understanding of your SUTA fund charges (both NY and NJ offer online employer portals), were any claims where a W2 employee, who noted a PUA reason (childcare, quarantine/covid diagnosis, business closure due to covid) on their application, billed to your SUTA account? If it was, did you attempt to refute the charge by responding that the claimant was filing for a PUA-covered reason?

Any firsthand experience in this matter is appreciated.

To expand: NY and NJ (for the moment) are both charging UI covid-related claims to the employer's SUTA account, something that most states are not doing. I'm trying to narrow down what they mean by this, and to see if there's room to refute claims that are not the employers fault, like childcare, quarantine/covid diagnosis, and mandated business closures. That would leave just economic downturn layoffs as the employers responsibility.
is this question still relevant?

Online cgr

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3432 on: November 10, 2020, 03:03:18 PM »
is this question still relevant?
Yep.
Feel free to PM me if you'd rather not post publicly.

Offline gozalim

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3433 on: November 10, 2020, 03:08:00 PM »
My employer says they're being charged.
I'll send them your email address

Offline ShimshonK

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3434 on: November 10, 2020, 05:46:19 PM »
NJ.

Were there any exceptions made for corporate officers who were laid off (more specifically, an S Corp owner who loses business, and therefore, stops paying themselves a salary) to claim traditional UI, or is PUA would the only way to go?

If claiming PUA - In this case, payroll has never been processed yet for 2020, but will need to process a paycheck for the entire year (reasonable salary for the IRS). Is it better to process this once annual payroll/paycheck before claiming PUA or after? I'm worried the DOL will see a large amount of wages paid and it might raise red flags, even though it's compensation for the whole year (up until the claim).
Bump. If anyone has advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Offline skv

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3435 on: November 10, 2020, 07:35:12 PM »
NJ.

Were there any exceptions made for corporate officers who were laid off (more specifically, an S Corp owner who loses business, and therefore, stops paying themselves a salary) to claim traditional UI, or is PUA would the only way to go?

If claiming PUA - In this case, payroll has never been processed yet for 2020, but will need to process a paycheck for the entire year (reasonable salary for the IRS). Is it better to process this once annual payroll/paycheck before claiming PUA or after? I'm worried the DOL will see a large amount of wages paid and it might raise red flags, even though it's compensation for the whole year (up until the claim).

I really don't think it makes any difference. You don't get to choose whether you go on UI or PUA in any case. If you had been processing payroll, the computer would have likely put you on reg UI (I've seen this happen) because the computer doesn't know you are the owner. Since you haven't been doing regular payroll, you won't have any work history in the system, so it will put you on PUA. Doing payroll now won't make a difference in that regard.

They did update the system at one point and they now say that if you are paid for work previously done when on PUA you need to report it in the week it was received. So if you are paying yourself now you may need to report it. Read the instructions when you certify and see if that is applicable to you.

Offline ShimshonK

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3436 on: November 10, 2020, 08:01:59 PM »
I really don't think it makes any difference. You don't get to choose whether you go on UI or PUA in any case. If you had been processing payroll, the computer would have likely put you on reg UI (I've seen this happen) because the computer doesn't know you are the owner. Since you haven't been doing regular payroll, you won't have any work history in the system, so it will put you on PUA. Doing payroll now won't make a difference in that regard.

They did update the system at one point and they now say that if you are paid for work previously done when on PUA you need to report it in the week it was received. So if you are paying yourself now you may need to report it. Read the instructions when you certify and see if that is applicable to you.
Thanks!
So, the way I see it is that it doesn't make a difference when I pay myself, but for that week that I process the paycheck, I shouldn't claim it, due to earning back-owed income?

My (hopefully) final question would be - might this make any sort of difference if I may try to claim regular UI starting January (if PUA isn't extended), by closing down the business completely (I'm pretty sure that makes owners eligible for it)? I'm not sure how that would work, and whether it would be a new claim, etc.

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3437 on: November 10, 2020, 08:44:00 PM »
Thanks!
So, the way I see it is that it doesn't make a difference when I pay myself, but for that week that I process the paycheck, I shouldn't claim it, due to earning back-owed income?

My (hopefully) final question would be - might this make any sort of difference if I may try to claim regular UI starting January (if PUA isn't extended), by closing down the business completely (I'm pretty sure that makes owners eligible for it)? I'm not sure how that would work, and whether it would be a new claim, etc.

When you claim benefits, next to the question "Did you work this week" is a button that says "Help me answer this question." Read it and answer how it applies to you.

I can't answer regarding regular UI after that. Presumably if its true that you are eligible if your business closes down, by then your payroll would have shown up in the system and you would be able to get it, but I don't know enough to advise on that.

Offline ShimshonK

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3438 on: November 10, 2020, 09:32:32 PM »
When you claim benefits, next to the question "Did you work this week" is a button that says "Help me answer this question." Read it and answer how it applies to you.

I can't answer regarding regular UI after that. Presumably if its true that you are eligible if your business closes down, by then your payroll would have shown up in the system and you would be able to get it, but I don't know enough to advise on that.
Thanks again. Any point on filing and then not claiming the benefits, as opposed to just filing a week later once I collect the wages (if I process the payroll this week)?

Offline Live N Learn

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Re: Unemployment Help
« Reply #3439 on: November 10, 2020, 11:44:08 PM »
How long after an employee files for UI does the employer get notified?
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