The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has released new instructions for 1099 or “gig” workers who have lost work because of COVID-19.
Those who believe they may be eligible for federal benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, must apply for regular unemployment insurance before applying for benefits under PUA. The new application portal for PAU is expected to open on May 11 through the IDES website.
If a claimant receives an eligibility determination of $0, they can appeal that decision by providing verification of wages earned, or they can submit a claim for PUA benefits.
Claimants who have already applied for and been denied regular unemployment benefits can submit a claim through the new PUA portal when it opens. Receiving a denial for regular unemployment benefits is a mandatory first step in determining eligibility for PUA.
PUA provides 100 percent federally-funded unemployment benefits for individuals who are unemployed for specified COVID-19-related reasons and are not eligible for the state’s regular unemployment insurance program, the extended benefit (EB) program under Illinois law, or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC). This includes independent contractors and sole-proprietors.
You can learn more at here.