Unemployment Website Is (kinda) Up as of 4/18/20 at 10pm: Here's the Process for Those Applying Due to Coronavirus Reasons (a PUA claim)

If you are applying for Unemployment due to the Coronavirus, it's a PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) claim. You access it through ESD the same way you'd access a regular unemployment claim. The option to file one is in big bold letters. You MUST file a "regular" claim first.

Some Sunday edits:

1. Save your work! This is an option in the bottom left corner of the application.
2. ESD has a LARGE disclosure that they are experiencing very slow response times and to try again later. So try during off peak hours.
3. If you are trying to call on Sunday, try again Monday. The staff capacity is much, much lower today. - Penny
4. Filing a PUA claim extends EXISTING unemployment claims by 13 weeks. If you already receive unemployment, all of this applies to you, too (but is much easier.)

FYI: A very kind ESD employee, u/PennyPedro**, has hopped in here to answer questions. Tag her if you have a claim question!**

A few quick FAQs (I am trying to update them):

• Don't know if you need to file for a PUA claim? Check these checklists. If you already applied and the top checklist applies to you, you DO NOT. If the bottom checklist applies to you, then yes, apply for one.
• Can I call about this on Sunday? (Yes) (Update: Maybe wait until Monday, see above)
• What is PUA/PEUC?
• Do I get extra benefits with this if I already ran out? (Yes, probably, but still maybe)
• When will I see my $600 federal "bonus"? (Also: Am I eligible for the $600 extra each week?)
• Do I still need to look for work? (no) - you can say no in your weekly claims
• How do I know if there is something wrong with my claim ("issues") / if I need a decision?
• Filing a claim based on WORK vs INCOME - what to do

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FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EXPERIENCES!

***Here are the reasons allowing you to apply. See Checklists linked above!****

• Your place of employment closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency
• You are an independent contractor or self-employed individual and your ability to do your work has been affected or your place of business closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency
• A child or other household member for whom you have primary caregiving responsibilities is out of school, daycare, or other facility due to closure as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency
• You cannot reach your place of employment because of quarantine imposed as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency
• You are unable to reach your place of work because you have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19
• You were scheduled to start a job but no longer have a job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency
• You had to quit as a direct result of COVID-19
• You were diagnosed with COVID-19
• You have symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a medical diagnosis
• An individual in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and you have been advised to self-isolate
• You are providing care for a family member or household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• You became the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of household died as a direct result of COVID-19