IDES Instructs 1099 Workers to Apply
for Regular Unemployment Benefits Before PUA Program Goes Live
PUA Portal to Launch on May 11
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[September 08, 2020]
The Illinois Department of
Employment Security (IDES) today released new instructions for 1099
workers who have lost work due to COVID-19. Workers who believe they
may be eligible for new federal benefits under the Pandemic
Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, must first apply for regular
unemployment insurance before applying for benefits under PUA when a
new application portal opens on May 11, 2020 via the IDES website.
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If claimants receive an eligibility determination
of $0, they can then appeal that decision by providing verification
of wages earned, or they can submit a claim for PUA benefits.
Claimants who have already applied for and been denied regular
unemployment benefits can submit a claim through the new PUA portal
when it opens. Receiving a denial for regular unemployment benefits
is a mandatory first step in determining eligibility for PUA.
Filing for regular unemployment also provides claimants the
opportunity to select how they want to receive benefits. Eligible
claimants can choose between direct deposit or a debit card onto
which their benefits will be loaded. Debit cards can take up to one
to two weeks to receive in the mail while direct deposit payments
take two to three days once a claimant completes their weekly
certification for benefits.
PUA provides 100% federally-funded unemployment benefits for
individuals who are unemployed for specified COVID-19-related
reasons and are not eligible for the state’s regular unemployment
insurance program, the extended benefit (EB) program under Illinois
law, or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC),
including independent contractors and sole-proprietors. Up to 39
weeks’ worth of benefits are potentially available under the program
for COVID-19-related unemployment claims.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/May/06/images/ads/current/farmers_grain_sda_daily_farm_2016.png)
IDES is contracting with Deloitte to implement and
maintain the web-based PUA program. While a program of this
magnitude would normally take up to a year to design and implement,
the department expects the program to launch on Monday, May 11,
2020.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/May/06/images/ads/current/fourcorners_sdadaily_SFARM_2019.png)
PUA claims will be backdated to the individuals’ first week of
unemployment, but no earlier than February 2, 2020, and will
continue for as long as the individual remains unemployed as a
result of COVID-19, but no later than the week ending December 26,
2020. The program is similar to the federal Disaster Unemployment
Assistance program which provides unemployment benefits in response
to local disasters.
Those with questions or in need of assistance with unemployment
benefits at this time are encouraged to visit IDES.Illinois.gov.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |