Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act creates a new temporary federal program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

In general, PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits.

Individuals covered under PUA include the self-employed (e.g. independent contractors, gig economy workers, and workers for certain religious entities), those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits.

​You may be eligible for PUA if you are self-employed, do not have sufficient work history to qualify for regular UC, or have exhausted your rights to regular UC benefits or extended benefits.

PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to covered individuals who are not eligible for regular UC and who are otherwise able and available to work except that they are unemployed, partially employed, or because of any one of the following COVID-19-related reasons:

You have been diagnosed with or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a medical diagnosis;

A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;

You are providing care for a family member or a member of your household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;

Your child or other person in the household for whom you are the primary caregiver is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that school or facility care is required for you to work;

You are unable to reach your place of employment because of a quarantine or stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

You are unable to reach your place of employment because you have been advised by a health care provider to self-isolate or quarantine because you are positive for or may have had exposure to someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19;

You were scheduled to start a new job and do not have an existing job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic;

You have become the breadwinner/major supporter for a household because the head of your household has died as a direct result of COVID-19;

You had to quit your job due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 and being unable to perform your work duties;

Your place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You worked as an independent contractor with reportable income and COVID-19 has severely limited your ability to continue performing your work activities and/ or has forced you to suspend such activities for one of the above COVID-19 reasons.

For example, a driver for a ridesharing service and who receives an IRS Form 1099 from the ridesharing service.
Clergy and those working for religious organizations who provide documentation to support one of the COVID-19 reasons.

Other workers who may not be covered by the regular UC program under Pennsylvania law and provide documentation to support one of the COVID-19 reasons.

An application specific for PUA claims is available a www.uc.pa.gov, select “File for PUA.”