The Department of Labor and Regulation is finalizing the unemployment assistance program for people who may not normally be eligible to receive benefits.
South Dakota Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman says the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to:
- individuals who are self-employed
- independent contractors
- nonprofit employees
- gig workers
PUA eligibility includes individuals working part time, or who otherwise would not qualify for unemployment benefits under state or federal law.
Hultman says if you’re not able to provide proof of your wages, you will only be allowed the minimum PUA benefit payment of $172. She says if and when you provide your proof of earnings, your claim will be redetermined. If it results in a higher amount, adjusted payments will be issued to you.
The online application has an approximate launch date of Monday (April 20).
A claimant can be compensated with the PUA benefit beginning Feb. 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending Dec. 26, 2020.
If the individual worked in 2019, provide one of the following:
- 2019 Federal Tax Return
- 2019 1099 – Miscellaneous Income Only
- 2019 W-2
- Final pay stub in 2019
- If the individual does not have any of the above, provide a 2018 Federal Tax Return.
If the individual did not work in 2019, provide one of the following:
- If working for an employer Jan. 1, 2020, or later: Last pay stub received in 2020
- If self-employed Jan. 1, 2020, or later: Invoice, billing, other documentation to provide proof of self-employment
Visit https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/cares.aspx#pua for more information.
