Independent Contractor Unemployment Insurance - Federal CARES Act
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The people you need to speak to are only around from 8-12 on the EDD 800 number. I think it's at the top of the rejection letter among other places. The best time to call is at 8 am and just keep trying. It took me a few hundred calls per day a few weeks ago before I got through. My son called on Wednesday this week and spoke to someone within an hour. You can look back at my last post but basically they said the person processing my paperwork made a mistake. They refiled for me over the phone and processed it at the same time. Good luck.
@carlsbadguy wrote:
Has anyone in California been able to get thru to the EDD to challenge a claim for PUA? I submitted a claim the first day you could as an independent contractor a received a $0 benefit determination 2 weeks later and have been calling every day since and can't even be on hold.
@carlsbadguy.... It's a crapshoot. Just keep calling. I was shocked when the phone rang and I was finally able to speak to someone.
@1forum1 wrote:
@carlsbadguy.... It's a crapshoot. Just keep calling. I was shocked when the phone rang and I was finally able to speak to someone.
I have two friends who spent days calling, finally got through about two weeks ago and as of yesterday, have now received their money. In one case, they just wanted my friend to supply proof of identity (Driver's license and SS card). The other was a box inadvertently checked wrong on the application...
I chose to have both federal and state taxes taken out and it seems like a lot they are taking. Out of $717.00 combined total, I receive $638.00
@Msaddict wrote:
I chose to have both federal and state taxes taken out and it seems like a lot they are taking. Out of $717.00 combined total, I receive $638.00
You feel like 12.38% for both state and federal taxes is too high? I'm not sure where you live, but the rate for federal self-employment tax alone is 15.3%...and it's far less than the 17.12% that would be due if you were earning that much year-round.
I think a lot of shoppers used to writing most of their income off are going to be shocked when taxes come due next year and they have fewer right-offs that before.
Have anyone applied/recevied Pandemic Umeployment Assistance in Texas? I know self-employ can apply, but not sure if there are any restrictions, tips, etc. I should know as a mystery shopper. I've been on TWC website and read the basic info. Thanks!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2020 07:20PM by atram.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/10/2020 07:20PM by atram.
/has anyone from Texas been successful? I applied back in March and was denied as expected. Finally got through to the number stated on the website for additional information after a month of calling only to be told it was the wrong number they had changed it and am still calling daily to no avail! Just wondered how things are going with others in TX.
I have not been successful in getting through to TWC nor getting any information but I am sure it has to do with being 1099 employee. Hopefully they get it all straightened out soon. Let me know if you get through!
In Texas? That's wonderful! Are you strictly 1099? If so how did you do that!
Yes, in TX. Most of the MSC I work for consider me a contractor and they didn't ask to submit 1099 or anything. I just put self employ not listing individual MSC since it's too much and not possible anyways.
I am glad it worked for you! Did you apply recently? I am stuck in the backlog I think 
Yes, it only take me a few days and same for others in TX that I know applied for the benefit.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2020 10:18PM by atram.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2020 10:18PM by atram.
I qualified for PUA and it's a Godsend.
Did any of you who are getting this assistance get the email over the weekend about the new certification requirement under the CARES Act? None of the non-health-related reasons is applicable for the type of IC most of us are. I qualified through my freelance copywriting and vintage sales businesses, both of which are just about non-existent due to the pandemic. I had two very large freelance projects put on hold indefinitely, and very few people have disposable income right now, which is what my vintage business depends on. So, while my "place of employment" isn't closed, my self-employment income is still way down due directly to the pandemic.
Our state PUA office's phone number is always either busy or not working (they haven't managed to activate it in the many weeks this has been going on), so I emailed them to ask for guidance. In the meantime, I picked an option that was "the best," but not really accurate. How are you all dealing with this? Even though stuff is opening up, it seems that MS is still pretty limited right now.
Did any of you who are getting this assistance get the email over the weekend about the new certification requirement under the CARES Act? None of the non-health-related reasons is applicable for the type of IC most of us are. I qualified through my freelance copywriting and vintage sales businesses, both of which are just about non-existent due to the pandemic. I had two very large freelance projects put on hold indefinitely, and very few people have disposable income right now, which is what my vintage business depends on. So, while my "place of employment" isn't closed, my self-employment income is still way down due directly to the pandemic.
Our state PUA office's phone number is always either busy or not working (they haven't managed to activate it in the many weeks this has been going on), so I emailed them to ask for guidance. In the meantime, I picked an option that was "the best," but not really accurate. How are you all dealing with this? Even though stuff is opening up, it seems that MS is still pretty limited right now.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Right, MS is very limited for me too. I have the same issues like many others reaching TWU via phone as well. What's the new certification requirement under the CARES Act?
I'm in FL, and I'm not aware of any new certification requirements under the CARES act. I am getting PUA, and I just re certified, claimed my weeks last week. So I don't log in until the end of the month now for my next two weeks. But we were not sent any notices of changes.
Did you put something along the line of self-employ as a mystery shopper for your approved PUA?
@atram wrote:
Did you put something along the line of self-employ as a mystery shopper for your approved PUA?
No, because it's a miniscule part of my SE income. I filed based on my freelance and vintage-sales businesses.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I have to take the dog to the vet now, but I'll post the email I received later on.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I still haven't been able to get through, recordings or not connected! UGH maybe someday before I lose everything
Did they said why you're denied at least? Maybe try putting self-employed if you haven't already?
Tes due to self employment but from what I read and the recordings they are supposed to automatically see if you are eligible for the cares act and they have been accepting my claims just not paying!
@BirdyC wrote:
Did any of you who are getting this assistance get the email over the weekend about the new certification requirement under the CARES Act? None of the non-health-related reasons is applicable for the type of IC most of us are.
I did not receive any emails about the end of health related reasons for the CARES act. Perhaps it is a state requirement in your state. I will be getting my next certification soon so I will see but my state still asks that high risk people stay at home recognizing the still rampant virus out there. They are allowing most things to open up for the healthy younger people.
I am in California and did not get it. I do not know what state BirdyC is in.She is the one who mentioned it.@laspgh wrote:
No but I am in TX where are you?
I'm in Pennsylvania, but this new requirement applies to Federal guidelines. The email:
PUA claimants will notice a federally-required change in the weekly claim application for benefits, which was added to Pennsylvania’s PUA application on Friday, June 12. The U.S. Department of Labor requires individuals to certify for each week of PUA benefits claimed that they are unemployed for at least one of the COVID-19 reasons provided in Section 2102 of the CARES Act.
If at any time you are no longer unemployed for one of the COVID-19-related reasons included in Section 2102 of the CARES Act, or your unemployment is due to reasons other than one of these specific pandemic-related reasons from Section 2102 of the CARES Act, then you are no longer eligible for PUA benefits. At that point, you should simply stop filing for weekly PUA benefits.
As an important reminder because individual situations may change over time, the reason(s) for unemployment which you initially provided is not required to match the reason(s) you remain unemployed.
The addition to the PUA application is as follows. You will see this question and acknowledgement the next time you file for weekly PUA benefits:
Then the questions that were on this week's cert follow:
Major Disaster Information
How did the COVID-19 pandemic cause your unemployment? Select the option that best fits your circumstances.
0 You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVI0-19 and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
0 A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVlD· 19.
0 You are providing care for a family member or a member of your household who has been diagnosed with COVID• 19.
0 A child or other person in your household for which you have primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for you to work.
0 You are unable to ,each your place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
O You are unable to reach your place of employment because you have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID•19
0 You were scheduled to commence employment and do not have a job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVI0-19 public health emergency,
0 You have become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19.
0 You had to quit your job as a direct result of COVI0•19.
0 Your place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVl0· 19 public health emergency.
None of these are applicable for many self-employed individuals. Somewhere in the cert it said to choose the closest option, but there really isn't one, at least for me. What's frustrating is that the act provided for people not normally eligible for regular unemployment insurance, yet the screening questions for weekly certification are aimed at people who work for others.
PUA claimants will notice a federally-required change in the weekly claim application for benefits, which was added to Pennsylvania’s PUA application on Friday, June 12. The U.S. Department of Labor requires individuals to certify for each week of PUA benefits claimed that they are unemployed for at least one of the COVID-19 reasons provided in Section 2102 of the CARES Act.
If at any time you are no longer unemployed for one of the COVID-19-related reasons included in Section 2102 of the CARES Act, or your unemployment is due to reasons other than one of these specific pandemic-related reasons from Section 2102 of the CARES Act, then you are no longer eligible for PUA benefits. At that point, you should simply stop filing for weekly PUA benefits.
As an important reminder because individual situations may change over time, the reason(s) for unemployment which you initially provided is not required to match the reason(s) you remain unemployed.
The addition to the PUA application is as follows. You will see this question and acknowledgement the next time you file for weekly PUA benefits:
Then the questions that were on this week's cert follow:
Major Disaster Information
How did the COVID-19 pandemic cause your unemployment? Select the option that best fits your circumstances.
0 You have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVI0-19 and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
0 A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVlD· 19.
0 You are providing care for a family member or a member of your household who has been diagnosed with COVID• 19.
0 A child or other person in your household for which you have primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for you to work.
0 You are unable to ,each your place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
O You are unable to reach your place of employment because you have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID•19
0 You were scheduled to commence employment and do not have a job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVI0-19 public health emergency,
0 You have become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19.
0 You had to quit your job as a direct result of COVI0•19.
0 Your place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVl0· 19 public health emergency.
None of these are applicable for many self-employed individuals. Somewhere in the cert it said to choose the closest option, but there really isn't one, at least for me. What's frustrating is that the act provided for people not normally eligible for regular unemployment insurance, yet the screening questions for weekly certification are aimed at people who work for others.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Those were the initial questions when I first applied in FL. I don't do the traditional MS, instead I stick strictly to Trailer checking and all assignments that deal with Movie theaters. So for me the last option in that list applied to my situation and still does. Even though theaters have been allowed to open, none of them actually opened due to no new content available until end of July, unless you count Unhinged on July 1st. But that is not an upcoming assignment for me.
In Idaho they added all those questions on June 1.
Idaho also has a question about self employed and not being able to go back to work as your self employment work related are not yet open/not accepting self employment work currently.
And if you are a high risk to corvid 19.
I have to file weekly on Sunday, so for the 7 & 14th I checked Yes to both of these questions.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2020 12:15AM by sueac101.
Idaho also has a question about self employed and not being able to go back to work as your self employment work related are not yet open/not accepting self employment work currently.
And if you are a high risk to corvid 19.
I have to file weekly on Sunday, so for the 7 & 14th I checked Yes to both of these questions.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2020 12:15AM by sueac101.
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