The PUA login in portal provides up to 79 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals who are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons, as defined in the CARES Act.
So if you’re out of work because of COVID-19 and not eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA login) may be right for you.
About Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Eligibility
RELIEF FOR WORKERS AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS ACT
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA login) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.
COVERED
- Diagnosed with COVID-19 or with COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a diagnosis
- Member of a household has been diagnosed with COVID-19
- Providing care for family or household members diagnosed with COVID-19
- Primary caregiver for child unable to attend a school or another facility closed due to COVID-19
- Unable to reach a place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because advised by a medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
- Scheduled to commence new employment and cannot reach workplace as a direct result of COVID-19
- Became major breadwinner because the head of household died from COVID-19
- Quit job as a direct result of COVID-19
- Place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19
- Self-employed / Independent Contractors / 1099 filers / Farmers – and affected by COVID-19
- Seeking part-time employment but affected by COVID-19
- With insufficient work history and being affected by COVID-19
- Otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19
- Independent contractor/gig worker who has been forced to significantly limit his or her performance of customary work activities because of the COVID-19 public health emergency and are experiencing a diminution of work. If this is the case, you must report any earnings each week.
NOT COVERED
- Individuals that can telework with pay
- Individual receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits (regardless of meeting a category listed above)
RELATED: How to Sign In to Unemployment Account – Unemployment Benefits Login
PUA Login In – PUA Portal for Claimants
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a federal program that provides payment to workers not
traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with
limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health
emergency.
The steps you will take to file a PUA claim and receive weekly benefits are:
- Register to create your account in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Portal.
- File your initial PUA claim.
- As early as the coming Sunday, submit your weekly claim certification (some states only require bi-weekly claim certification).
If you require assistance with registering, filing your claim, or doing weekly certifications, contact staff at your local unemployment office, as they are able to perform all these activities in the system on your behalf.
How to Sign in to PUA Account – PUA Unemployment Login
To log in to your PUA account, follow the simple steps below.
- Go to the official login page at Login – PUA Claimant Portal
- Enter your Email address in the “Email” section.
- Enter your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Provide your PIN
- Finally, click on the “Login” button to access your account
How to Register and File Your Initial PUA Claim
A guided wizard will walk you through the steps to register a PUA account in the system and file an initial PUA
claim. The basic steps are to:
- Enter your Social Security Number to determine your eligibility to file a PUA claim.
- Complete a multi-page registration form to create your system account.
- Enter your work history.
- Receive certification confirmation.
- Complete the claim filing process by acknowledging your rights and responsibilities
How to Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Online
You can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance online. The application is mobile-friendly and can be completed in under 30 minutes if you have the appropriate documentation.
The Department of Unemployment Assistance will review your application
The Department of Unemployment Assistance will review your Pandemic Unemployment Assistance application and confirm details, including whether you are unemployed for a COVID-19 related reason, proof of your total wages, and whether, other than your COVID-19 related reason, you are able and available to work.
Continue to certify for weekly benefits
You must certify and request benefits every week that your work is impacted by COVID-19. You can certify and request benefits online by logging into your account. This is accessible 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Respond promptly to all requests you receive from the Department of Unemployment Assistance
If there is a question of eligibility, you may receive a fact-finding questionnaire from the Department of Unemployment Assistance requesting information from you. You must respond to this questionnaire by the deadline specified. Failure to respond may result in disqualification from receiving benefits. You can respond by logging into your PUA account.
The Department of Unemployment Assistance will send a decision
This decision tells you whether you’ve been approved for Pandemic Unemployment Benefits and how much you will potentially receive. If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision within 30 days. You can view decisions and file appeals by logging into your account.
PUA Payment
If you are approved for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits, payment will be made within 4-7 business days for individuals choosing direct deposit. For all others, payment will be made within 10-14 business days.
Department of Unemployment Assistance – PUA Contact Number
Phone
Department of Unemployment Assistance, Call Center at (877) 626-6800
Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. Multilingual call agents are available.
