The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is updating its current systems to distribute federal unemployment funds as part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) bringing relief to many Georgians currently not eligible for state unemployment benefits.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA, is the program that will provide unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, or those with limited work history who will not qualify for state unemployment benefits.
The GDOL is modifying its current online unemployment application adding new questions to better identify those individuals who may be eligible for PUA. This modified application is expected to be available on Monday, April 13, 2020, on the GDOL website. Once the application is received, it will take several weeks to process. These additional questions in the application will help determine qualified applicants to continue the process for PUA benefits, including a different set of wage verifications and a different process for certification of wage benefits. The GDOL is partnering with other state agencies to assist with wage verification simplifying the process for PUA applicants.
If you have already filed a claim with the GDOL and will be eligible to potentially receive benefits under this program, you do NOT have to refile your claim. These individuals will be identified and sent an email with a link to provide additional information for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program.
“We are on the forefront of this economic effort to provide relief to a brand-new group of Georgians who have never received unemployment benefits before,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “Our team is working to make sure we can offer assistance as soon as possible to those in need while also establishing a system that in compliance with federal law.”
Mecille R Shelton
July 7, 2020 at 9:12 am
Pua was coming but has not been paid in 7 weeks. No one will answer cant get any information. Looking at eviction with 2 kids.
tashaconaway13@gmail.com
July 16, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Me and you are in the same exact boat…it’s been 7 weeks they will not answer the phone…. And I have 5 little boys to support.
Kathy Cook
October 15, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Yes I’m in the same boat they are I have not received a dime for my pua in Georgia
Tammy Denmsrk
January 14, 2021 at 12:32 am
my unemployment has been exhausted since November 21st 2020 .as of December the 26th 2020 everybody’s unemployment was supposed to be exhausted but they are continuing to receive their payments after the 39 weeks now their weeks has extended over to 50 weeks but the ones that has exhausted their benefits they’re saying that they don’t have a program in place to give it to them how is that when they are giving it to the ones that would have exhausted their unemployment on December 26th. if there’s been a program that can continue to give them the 11 weeks,Then why is it the GDOL says the one that has exhausted their unemployment of the 39 weeks there is no program in place for them how could that be. I have had no income since November the 21st and fixing to lose everything they tell us not to reapply for unemployment that we will automatically get it but we do not hear anything about it. if the ones that they’re unemployment exhausted on the 26th of December if they can continue to get it then we should be able to as well.Feel like I’m being discriminated against.