If the 11-week extension goes past my benefit year end, do I need to reapply for unemployment? Yes. A new application for benefits is required once the benefit year ends, which is every 52 weeks. Claimants on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) do not end their benefit year until the program ends. PUA claimants will only need to file their initial PUA claim once and then complete a quarterly application to check for eligibility for a standard unemployment claim. Benefit year end dates were moved to April 10, 2021 for PUA claimants.
Why do claimants on FDEB1 have to wait to get back on PEUC? The U.S. Department of Labor requires that if a claimant has started Federal-State Extended Benefits (FDEB1) they must exhaust the 13 weeks of FDEB1 before they can apply for the additional 11-week PEUC extension under the Continued Assistance Act.
What if I need clarification on my 1099? The amount is far more than total calculated and more than I’ve received. Please be advised that your 1099G includes payments that you may have received in 2020 including your weekly benefit amount, Lost Wages Assistance (LWA), Worker Pandemic Benefit (WPB), and the $600/week FPUC under the CARES Act.
Virtual Town Hall – Continued Assistance Act Extensions will open February 7, 2021 This Wednesday the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will host a virtual town hall in regards to the start of extended benefits under the Continued Assistance Act. Secretary McCamley along with subject matter experts will be on hand to provide further details on what claimants can expect, what they may need to do to prepare, and answer questions.
Why are claimants that exhausted PEUC and qualified for FDEB1 not being moved back to PEUC until the FDEB1 benefits are exhausted? According to a previous town hall, that was not supposed to happen. Under the Continued Assistance Act guidelines provided by U.S. Department of Labor, if a claimant has started state-federal extended benefits (FDEB1) they must exhaust those benefits first before they are eligible to return to extended benefits under Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).