How To Get COVID-19 Unemployment Assistance

While that may have been tough news to swallow, you may be able to receive significant help via unemployment assistance.

Millions lost their jobs and income as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. This left many scrambling for ways to keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table.

Although the government issued $1,200 stimulus checks, that one-time payment isn’t enough to support someone who lost their job. Luckily, new unemployment benefits can help fill any financial gaps to keep you afloat until things get back to normal.

To help you get unemployment benefits as quickly as possible, we’ll cover what you need to know to see if you may qualify and how to get started.

A Quick Look at Unemployment Insurance

Each state has its own unemployment insurance program to help people when they lose their jobs. In Florida, for example, you can get up to $275 per week for up to 12 weeks if you qualify. To see how much your state offers, go here.

Unemployment benefits are nothing new and were meant as temporary aid until you can find new employment. This same overall structure still exists with the latest version of unemployment via the government’s stimulus package, only self-employed workers can now qualify as well.

Qualifications for Unemployment Under the New Stimulus Package

The government beefed up unemployment assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It not only offers added financial benefits on top of those provided by the state, but also makes it easier to qualify for assistance.

You can get COVID-19 unemployment benefits if you:

• Lost your full-time or part-time job due to COVID-19.
• Are self-employed and lost clients due to the outbreak.
• Can’t work because your job is deemed as nonessential.
• Were about to start a new job but couldn’t due to the shutdowns.
• Had to stop working to take care of children or family members since schools/facilities closed.
• Collect Social Security or veterans benefits.

If you receive paid leave or can work from home, you will not qualify for the new unemployment assistance. If you have to self-isolate due to exposure to COVID-19, you can be eligible. If you choose to quit your job out of fear that you’ll contract the virus, and your workplace remains open, however, you will probably not be eligible.

Qualifying for COVID-19 unemployment allows for plenty of interpretation and is done by state, so you may be eligible even if you think you aren’t.

In essence, it was initiated to help people who had to quit their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there is a lot of gray area here. That’s why it’s best to apply, as you may be eligible for this significant assistance.

Unemployment’s Monetary Benefits

The stimulus’ unemployment benefits get added to those from the state and equal an extra $600 per week for 13 weeks. In the case of Florida, you could receive up to $875 per week under this new program.

How to Apply for COVID-19 Unemployment Assistance

Even though the funding comes from the federal government, you will have to apply through your state to receive unemployment benefits.