I have been fielding a lot of inquiries about whether people are eligible for any of the many programs out there, including many people applying for unemployment for the first time.
As I have said before, the old rules don’t apply right now, so just because you thought that you would be ineligible for unemployment if “X” happened, things may have changed.
So even if you think you might not be eligible for unemployment benefits, you should apply anyway, just in case.
For example, before the COVID-19 pandemic, independent contractors could not obtain unemployment benefits. However, now that is no longer the case.
Other rules that have been relaxed in light of this pandemic include:
- If you have your hours reduced or on furlough due to the pandemic, you do not have to be completely separated from your job to qualify for unemployment benefits;
- If you were just hired recently, you do not have to have “banked” a certain number of hours in order to qualify;
- You can still qualify for the extra weeks of benefits even if you thought you used them up prior to this;
- If a family member has COVID-19 and you are required or have been asked to miss work to self-quarantine, you may qualify for benefits;
- You can qualify for paid family medical leave
One thing that has not changed is the need to certify your eligibility for benefits, which in most cases is required to be done bi-weekly.
If you have any questions at all regarding unemployment or other new laws in place as a result of COVID-19, please feel free to contact us for assistance by calling 844-835-2993. Our team will be happy to point you in the right direction! We also offer free consultations to all prospective clients.
Carla D. Aikens, P.L.C.
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