Stimulus Package: Unemployment Q&A

There are a lot of questions regarding who is eligible for unemployment under the new federal guidelines as a reaction to COVID-19. Below I have tried to answer the questions I’ve been hearing a lot. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think will benefit, and if you have any other specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

I am self-employed, can I apply for Unemployment Benefits?

YES.  Normally, self-employed people are not eligible for unemployment benefits.  However, the new legislation allows unemployment benefits for both Self-Employed people and Part-Time workers.

Those who are unemployed, are partly unemployed or cannot work for a wide variety of coronavirus-related reasons will be more likely to receive benefits.

How much unemployment benefit will I receive?

DEPENDS.  Benefits are being expanded to replace the average worker’s paycheck.  The average worker earns about $1,000 a week, and Virginia’s unemployment benefits often replace roughly about 40% of those earnings.  The federal expansion will pay an extra amount to fill the gap (on average).

Eligible workers will receive an extra $600 per week on top of the Virginia state benefit.

Are freelancers and independent contractors covered?

YES. Self-employed people are now eligible for unemployment benefits.  This is in stark contrast to what used to be the case.  Self-employed workers are eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit provided by the federal government.

I lost my part-time job because of a coronavirus reason, am I still eligible?

YES.  Part-time workers are eligible for benefits, but the benefit amount and how long benefits will last depend on Virginia’s unemployment regulations. Part-time works are also eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit.

I was about to start a new job – am I eligible?

YES. Newly hired employees are still eligible for benefits. You will also be covered if you were immediately laid off from a new job and did not have a sufficient work history to qualify for unemployment benefits under normal circumstances.

I had to quit my job as a direct result of coronavirus. Am I eligible to apply for benefits?

DEPENDS.  If your employer didn’t lay you off but you had to quit because of a quarantine recommended by a health care provider, or because your child’s day care closed and you’re the primary caregiver then you will be covered.

But, this provision wasn’t intended to cover people who quit (or want to quit) because they fear that continuing to work puts them at risk of contracting coronavirus, according to congressional aides.

My employer shut down my workplace because of coronavirus. Am I eligible?

YES. If you are unemployed, partly unemployed or unable to work because your employer closed down, you’re covered under the bill.

Whom does the bill leave out?

If you are able to work from home, and those receiving paid sick leave or paid family leave are not covered. New entrants to the work force who cannot find jobs are also ineligible.

How long will the payments last?

Virginia provides 26 weeks of benefits.  The federal benefit provides all eligible workers an additional 13 weeks – so you are now covered by 39 weeks of unemployment benefits.  The extra $600 payment will last for up to four months, covering weeks of unemployment ending July 31.

I’m already receiving unemployment benefits. Will I receive any help?

YES.  Even if you’re already receiving unemployment benefits for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus, your state-level benefits will still be extended by 13 weeks. You will also receive the extra $600 weekly benefit from the federal government.

My unemployment recently ran out — could I sign up again?

YES.  If you’ve exhausted your benefits, eligible workers can generally reapply. Everyone gets at least another 13 weeks, along with the extra $600 payment.

Will this income disqualify me from any other programs?

MAYBE.  The additional $600 benefit counts as income when determining eligibility for means-tested programs, except for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP.