Unless a bill extending the extra unemployment is passed, on the cut-off date, youll resume receiving your standard unemployment benefits until your unemployment runs out. Currently, no extra compensation is planned after September 6th.
The usual rules of unemployment still apply. Youll need to be actively looking for work while receiving unemployment benefits even during COVID. But how youll demonstrate this varies from state to state . In some states, youll simply sign a statement saying youre looking for work, while others will require you to provide contact information for the places youve applied.
However, there are some COVID exceptions to this general rule. If your business closed or reduced operations due to the pandemic, you might not have to prove that youre looking for work. But this only applies if your employer has promised to call you back into work when the business resumes normal operations.
If youre receiving unemployment compensation, the $300 will be added to your weekly benefits. In many cases, this is by direct deposit, but some recipients get their money via debit card or paper check. If you want to change the way your benefits are paid, you can usually do this through your state unemployment office.
For those who arent receiving unemployment compensation, PEUC is typically paid one of two ways: loansolution.com/title-loans-sd/ direct deposit or prepaid debit card. The unemployment office will use the last method of compensation to deposit your PEUC funds. If you received your previous payments by debit card, the funds will be deposited to that card unless you request direct deposit when you sign up for PEUC.
One great option for direct deposit is Chime . Once you have an account, you can direct your unemployment benefits to go directly to that account. Chime will even give you access to your funds as much as two days earlier than what theyd normally be available. So if youre eager to get it, this could be a way to consistently receive those weekly payments a couple of days early.
Chime Disclosure – Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. 1Chime cannot guarantee when files are sent by the IRS and funds can be made available. ^Early access to direct deposit funds depends on payer
What happens if my work fluctuates?
COVID has complicated things for some workers. With lockdowns and restrictions varying, you may be called back to work, only to be laid off again a few weeks later. But if youre receiving unemployment benefits, you may need to reach out and let your unemployment office know. In some states, you simply have to stop certifying every week and your benefits will expire.
If youre called back to work and laid off again, there is some good news when it comes to unemployment benefits. You can pick up your unemployment benefits where you left off. This includes the extra benefits youre receiving. Youll continue to get benefits until youve exhausted the number of weeks youre eligible to receive them or you reach the cutoff date.
Summary
Extra unemployment compensation has helped unemployed workers make it through a tough economic time. As things gradually return to normal, hopefully, unemployment claims will drop and there will be no need for a further extension of extra unemployment benefits.
In the meantime, its important to check with your state unemployment office to determine what unique requirements apply to your own unemployment claims.
Freelancers who qualify for PUA will also get the extra money a little longer. The American rescue plan also extends PUA benefits through Labor Day. However, the maximum unemployment benefits you can receive as an unemployed freelancer is 79 weeks. If you live in states with high unemployment rates, that may be extended to 86 weeks.