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Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) began making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments for self-employed, contract, and other workers who were not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
I know some of you have reached out to our office with questions about unemployment benefits for positions like the hourly employees at Shakopee Area Catholic Schools - they would be eligible for these PUA payments.
Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA:
- If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
- If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
- If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
- If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. They expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April. There is no need to call or follow-up; you will hear from them proactively if they need additional information to determine eligibility.
- You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail.
- Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.
- PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.
- Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found here: COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors
Anyone who has been separated from their job, had their hours reduced or cannot work due to the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to apply online at uimn.org.
If you have any other questions about the resources available to our community, or our work in the Minnesota Legislature, please feel free to contact our office, and don’t forget about our upcoming Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, April 30.
Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn
Eric Petersen, Legislative Assistant | Eric.Petersen@house.mn
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