Expansion of Unemployment Benefits:

• Expired: The federal unemployment benefits of $600 per week will last for four months (through July 31, 2020).

• The CARES Act has added 13 weeks unemployment benefits. In the state of Washington, this means that the normal 26 weeks that people may collect unemployment has been lengthened to 39 weeks under the CARES Act.

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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

• The CARES Act has expanded unemployment benefits to workers who are not traditionally eligible to collect unemployment benefits.  Eligibility has expanded to self-employed workers (i.e., independent contractors, gig workers, and freelancers), those who are seeking part-time work, and those who have not been working long enough to normally qualify for unemployment benefits.

• The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program will expire on December 31, 2020.

• In order to receive benefits under the PUA, you will need to provide documentation proving your status as either fully or partially unemployed OR that you are unable to work due to: 

  • A COVID-19 diagnosis of yourself, a member of your household, or someone you are providing care for, 

  • Providing care for a child or other household member whose school or work is closed as a result of COVID-19, 

  • A state-mandated quarantine or a self-quarantine advised by a health care provider, 

  • A workplace closure, inability to reach your place of employment, or quitting your job as a direct result of COVID-19, or 

  • You meet other conditions that the Secretary of Labor has established.

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