Economic News

If approved and after certifying (and if there are no other issues that require further review), you may be able to receive your first PUA payment within 3 business days through direct deposit or an existing unemployment benefits debit card or within 11 business days if you request a new debit card.

You may receive partial benefits if you are working fewer than 32 hours a week and earning less than the weekly benefit amount. You must report all hours worked and earnings, including tips, for the hours worked when you request payment of unemployment benefits.

The PUA benefit is based on your income from the 2019 tax year. You must provide proof of income via 1040 tax forms. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $169, while the maximum is $461.

Applying for PUA is a two-step process.

1. First, apply for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits at www.jobs.state.nm.us to determine if your income is covered by the regular state Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. If determined ineligible for regular UI benefits, you will then be cleared to apply for PUA benefits.
2. Once you are determined ineligible for regular benefits, you will be provided access to apply for PUA benefits through a link on your Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System homepage. 

Acceptable forms of proof of earnings include copies of 2019 income tax forms such as the following:

• Self-employed: Forms 1040; and schedules C, F, or SE
• Partnerships: Forms 1040, 1065, and schedule F, K-1
• Corporations: Forms 1040, 1120, 1120A, and schedule E, SE
• 1099 or W2

(Updated 05/28/2020)

• You must be either unemployed or have hours reduced to fewer than 32 hours/week and must be earning less than the weekly amount of unemployment you receive.
• You must not be eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits. For example, those who are self-employed/business owners, independent contractors, 1099 and other gig-economy workers, and sole proprietors who do not pay unemployment premiums on their own income are generally not eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance benefits.
• You are able to work and available to accept work except that the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing you from doing that.
• You must provide an acceptable form of proof of earnings. Acceptable forms of proof include copies of income tax return forms such as a Form 1040. For a full list of acceptable forms, please refer to the FAQs.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a new temporary federal program under the CARES Act that provides benefits to individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Unemployment Insurance.

AmeriCorps members who were unable to complete their term of service due to COVID19 may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. For eligibility guidance, visit https://nationalservice.gov/documents/2020/cncs-general-questions. For more information about PUA and how to apply, review the FAQs on this page.