NMDWS awaits guidance from U.S. Department of Labor on implementation of CARES Act Extension
For Immediate Release
December 28, 2020
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
505.250.3926
NMDWS awaits guidance from U.S. Department of Labor on
implementation of CARES Act Extension
(Albuquerque, NM) – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) is currently reviewing the CARES Act unemployment extension provisions contained in H.R. 133. These provisions will bring additional unemployment compensation to over 160,000 New Mexicans.
“The Department of Workforce Solutions will work as hard as possible to get these extension and increases in place as soon as we receive necessary rules and funding from the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Bill McCamley, NMDWS Cabinet Secretary. “We know how vital this money is to New Mexicans and will get it into people’s pockets as soon as possible so bills can get paid.”
NMDWS is currently awaiting additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor on how to implement these CARES Act extensions in New Mexico. The Department’s Technology Division is on standby and will work diligently to implement necessary system changes and get eligible claimants their much-needed relief as quickly as possible.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
- Will provide up to 11 weeks of an additional $300 weekly benefit to eligible claimants.
- A claimant must be eligible to receive benefits under regular state Unemployment Insurance, PUA, PEUC, or FDEB1 (Federal Extended Benefits) to receive FPUC.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- Will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefits, to a maximum of 50 weeks.
- Weekly certification will be required
- Claimants will be required to provide documentation of eligibility to qualify for PUA beginning January 31, 2021.
- PUA will be available until week ending March 13, 2021 (no new applications will be accepted after that date), with allowance for three additional weeks of benefits for those who have not reached the maximum number of weeks through week ending April 3, 2021.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
- Will provide up to an additional 11 weeks of benefit, to a maximum of 24 weeks.
- PEUC will be available until week ending March 13, 2021 (no new applications will be accepted after that date), with allowance for three additional weeks of benefits for those who have not reached the maximum number of weeks through week ending April 3, 2021.
CARES Act benefits for claimants on PUA and PEUC expired on December 26, 2020. Claimants will be able to submit their weekly certification anytime now through midnight January 2, 2020 for the week of December 20-26, 2020.
Due to President Trump signing the bill on Sunday, this may result in a break in payments for those on PUA or PEUC. The department must wait on guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor before the provisions of the Act can be implemented.
To allow claimants the opportunity to reach a Customer Service Agent in the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center regarding regular matters, the department asks that individuals not call to inquire about the federal extension at this time. The department will provide further information to claimants on our website and through all communication channels as soon as it is available.
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