What are the unemployment benefits available through the CARES Act?

Legal Aid helps with unemployment benefits, including appeals

What are the unemployment benefits available through the CARES Act?

• FPUC is Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. FPUC provides an additional $600 per week on top of an individual’s weekly unemployment benefit. FPUC is available through July 31st.
• PUA is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. PUA provides unemployment benefits to people who are unable to work because of a COVID-19 related reason but are not eligible for traditional unemployment. Independent contractors, freelancers, and self-employed individuals may be eligible for PUA. You must first apply and be denied for traditional unemployment before you can apply for PUA.
• PEUC is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. PEUC provides for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits for people who have exhausted their traditional unemployment benefits.

What are some other things I should know?

• If you have gone back to work, you can still pursue benefits for the time you were out of work.
• You must file a weekly claim to receive benefits. You may file your weekly claim online or by telephone. You can file your weekly claim for the prior week beginning each Sunday. Weekly claims must be filed within 14 days of the week ending date to be considered timely. 
• If you have been denied benefits and received a written Notice of Determination, you have ten calendar days from the date of the notice to appeal. You can email your appeal to uiappeals@oesc.state.ok.us, or call 1-800-555-1554 to appeal by phone. You can also appeal by fax or mail.
• Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can ask OESC to withhold taxes from your benefits. 

Have questions about unemployment or need help with your claim? Apply for help from Legal Aid by visiting www.oklegalconnect.org or call (888) 534-5243, Mon – Thurs., 9 am to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Current as of 5-12-20