SPOKANE, Wash. — It's a question on the minds of many people as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the job market and economy: What do I need to do if my unemployment runs out?
Normally, unemployed workers in Washington and Idaho can get benefits for 26 weeks in a 12-month period. But federal programs have been added to to help people whose regular unemployment benefits are about to expire.
Some federal programs are in jeopardy right now if Congress does not take action to expand them.
We are breaking down what unemployed workers should do if their benefits are running out in Washington and Idaho.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Residents in Washington and Idaho can take advantage of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which is a federal program created under the CARES Act.
These benefits are available for up to 13 weeks through Dec. 26, 2020.
PEUC in Washington
According to the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) website, eligible unemployed workers in Washington include those who:
- Have exhausted their regular UI claim with a benefit year that ended on or after the week ending July 6, 2019.
- Are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work as directed. You should answer yes if COVID-19 business closures are preventing you from working but you'd be able and available to work when businesses open back up.
- Have left work through no fault of their own.
Unemployed workers in Washington who have reached the end of their benefit weeks will receive a "Final Payment" status in their eServices accounts.
Those who have a link for PEUC should click to apply.
If a link is not available, check the mail for a "PEUC Monetary Determination" or "EB Monetary Determination" letter. A determination letter will tell someone if they are approved for benefits and explain eligibility requirements.
PEUC in Idaho
The minimum payment amount for unemployed workers in Idaho will be $72 per week and the maximum payment will be $448 per week under the PEUC program, according to the Idaho Department of Labor website. Payments are retroactive to the first week after someone exhausted their unemployment benefits.
Unemployed workers must have a claim with a benefit year ending date of July 1, 2019 or later.
Those who are eligible can apply online by logging into their claimant portal, clicking "File an Extension" on the claim tile to the lower left, and answering all questions before hitting submit. Unemployed workers who apply will receive confirmation that their PEUC application is complete.
Unemployed workers who have not submitted a weekly certification for two weeks in a row have what is considered an "inactive" claim. They can visit their claimant portal and select "Apply for Benefits" to reopen it.
Those who apply for extended benefits should submit their weekly certification on the first Sunday after they apply.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
PUA in Washington
Unemployment benefits for those who are otherwise not covered, including members of the gig economy and contract workers, are set to expire on Dec. 26 if Congress does not act to extend them, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.
The CARES Act funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
PUA was reduced from 46 weeks to 39 weeks beginning the week of Nov. 22, according to the Washington ESD website.
Here's a list of who is eligible for PUA:
- Part-time workers and others who have lost work due to COVID-19
- Parents who have lost childcare due to COVID-19
- People at high risk of contracting COVID-19
- People sick or caring for someone with COVID-19
- People who are unemployed due to COVID-19 and are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits
PUA in Idaho
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance expires on Dec. 26, 2020 in Idaho, according to the state Department of Labor's website.
The program provides up to 39 weeks of benefits. More information about PUA in Idaho is available online.
Extended Benefits in Washington only
Extended Benefits apply to unemployed workers in Washington state. They provide up to 20 additional weeks of benefits after unemployed workers have used up regular and PEUC benefits.
The number of weeks will be reduced to 13 beginning the week of Dec. 13, according to Washington ESD.
In order to qualify, unemployed workers must have a regular claim that expires May 30, 2020 or later.
Unemployed workers should receive a letter about two weeks before their PEUC claim runs out that provides more details about Extended Benefits and prompts you to apply. The easiest way to do so is through the eServices account.
The weekly extended benefit amount will be the same as the weekly benefit amount that person had during their most recent regular unemployment claim.
More information about benefit extensions and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the ESD website.
