State Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier of Pittsfield posted an update on Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for Individuals Not Covered Under Traditional Unemployment Insurance (Self-Employed, Gig Economy Workers, Others). While more to follow, we wanted to keep you abreast of the changes as they happen.
AS our state leadership shared on our weekly calls, a benefit will be available for individuals not covered under traditional unemployment insurance like the self-employed or gig workers or those who do not qualify for lack of wages. DUA is now working with a vendor to build a new platform to disburse those benefits. According to Rep. Tricia, this platform is expected to begin processing claims on or about April 30, 2020.
She writes, “PUA will provide up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not working as a result of COVID-19 and are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not qualify for regular UC or EB under state or federal law or PEUC. These individuals will not be able to claim benefits directly through the UI Online System in Massachusetts, as of this time. The Department of Unemployment Assistance has engaged a vendor to build a new platform to disburse PUA benefits. The platform is expected to begin accepting PUA claims by April 30, 2020. Eligible claimants under PUA will be retroactively compensated with this benefit beginning February 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending December 26, 2020.”
