To clarify the $600 Federal in addition to unemployment.

The amount you receive is for 39 weeks (in Massachusetts) from the state unemployment, or until you return to work. The $600 is Federal and is additional per week from April to July 2020. Who knew I guess this could change.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2020 03:13PM by shopper8.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Yeah, well in Oklahoma they do not care because when I filed I was told that I did not qualify because I have not been employed by anyone for the last several years and the next time I contact them is supposed to be in July when the money is gone.

Sounds like OK just does not yet have their CARES Act together yet.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Yes. Do keep checking the OK dept of labor website and reapply when they get it straightened out. Fingers crossed for you!

Massachusetts wasn't set-up for contractors or gig workers until April 20th.
BE SURE TO FILE UNDER COVID19 PUA, NOT UNEMPLOYMENT, ONLY CONTRACTORS, GIG WORKERS, SELF-EMPLOYED. THIS IS FEDERAL. CARES ACT

2STEPPS- WHAT DID YOU FILE UNDER?

Also something that I have discovered in speaking with friends who are unemployed; There's a provision in PUA for people who had just re-entered the workforce, or been offered a position, but did not start or were laid off due to the pandemic. Even if they did not have enough qualifying income for standard unemployment, they will be covered under PUA.

s

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2020 11:47PM by 2stepps.

@shopper8 wrote:

2STEPPS- WHAT DID YOU FILE UNDER?

What do you mean what did I file under?

Here is what Idaho has posted on Friday 4/24.

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2020

The Idaho Department of Labor has begun making more than $63 million in payments for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which provides temporary emergency funds of $600 per week for claimants.

It will take approximately three business days for claimants to see the funds in their bank accounts or debit cards once it has been issued. The payments are retroactive to March 29 or the first week the individual received benefits, whichever is later. The payment will be delivered in one lump sum.

Claimants do not need to do anything extra to receive the $600 weekly, but they should continue to file weekly claims. Claimants with pending issues preventing payment will not receive the additional funds until the issues are resolved and they are allowed benefits. There is no need to call the department as claimants can check the Claimant Portal to confirm payment.

As of Friday 4/24 Idaho added a place to upload our PUA documents. For a few companies I didn't have a 1099 for 2019 as I didn't make $600 with them, so I copied my work history payments page and sent in.

I have fired off emails to the site where you need to submit a pic ID and some other proof. We will see what they say if they say anything.

2stepps. Did you file under regular unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Application PUA. They are different. If you have Mystery shopped you are not an employee. File under contractor, 1099, or gig.

All states were required to start accepting gig worker applications by today. Keep in mind, they still have guidelines to follow to verify qualifications. Those that qualified for unemployment are already receiving the extra $600, or accumulating back pay while their state incorporates the link they need to get the funding from the Federal Government.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

So, are independent contractors allowed to earn a small amount and still be eligible for the benefits? I mean, if I were to find enough work to earn, say $50, would I still be eligible for unemployment and the CARES bonus? Must you have zero income to get any benefits?

I know you must qualify for at least $1 in unemployment benefits to get the $600 stimulus. The qualifications for the unemployment benefits will vary by state, however.

Dandydew, I think you might mean are you allowed to earn money going forward and still keep your unemployment. There is a formula of how much they deduct from your unemployment check.So if you earn $50 in a week you would just get a smaller check that week. You would still get the $600.

2steppes there is a link here to where to apply if you have not done so yet. [okcfox.com] This is from a news article from a while ago so you probably can go directly to the PUA site by now. But try the link in this article if all else fails.

I have gotten through to where I can apply but I think they want you to use IE or Bing as it is now named but I use a Chromebook and it does not have bing on it. On the Chromebook, it will not take my birthday and if I use a tablet it will not accept my phone number. I called in yesterday and they said that they would call me back but no idea when.

As for making money while unemployed, I do not know about other states but it used to be in Oklahoma you could earn up to $100 a week before it counted against your unemployment then after that it was reduced dollar for dollar until you did not receive anything. But I do not know how it will work with the feds.

@sandyf wrote:

2steppes there is a link here to where to apply if you have not done so yet. [okcfox.com] This is from a news article from a while ago so you probably can go directly to the PUA site by now. But try the link in this article if all else fails.

@2stepps wrote:

As for making money while unemployed, I do not know about other states but it used to be in Oklahoma you could earn up to $100 a week before it counted against your unemployment then after that it was reduced dollar for dollar until you did not receive anything. But I do not know how it will work with the feds.

It's going to vary by State how much you can earn with disqualifying yourself, but if you don't qualify for at least $1...you will not get the federal $600 payment.

Meaning; That $50 gig could end up costing you $600!

It was stated in one of the posts above that one should not file for the regular State benefits, but rather, file for the Federal PUA benefit. In Alabama, that is not the case. One must first file for State benefits and, which will be the case for us ICs, be declared MONETARILY INELIGIBLE to receive benefits. Then you will apply for PUA (or another of the Federal offerings). If you qualify for one of the Federal programs, you will then begin receiving benefits retroactive to initial filing date. But if the State found you ineligible for State benefits for any reason other than monetarily, then that will have to be cleared up before Federal benefits are awarded.

Thank you Shawnthewoman for that clarification . We are all giving advice by the seat of our pants and based on the way things are in our own state. So everyone you need to check what is going on with your state and if you have specific questions and mention which state you are in then someone in your state can clarify. If not you might get info that is only good in another state...or not as some things are the same from state to state. Like the $600 which is a federal program. But the steps to actually apply may vary from state to state.

Now the 10th and no word back.

Bottom line, each states online portal provides instructions on how to apply. The directions for self employed people will guide you accordingly. No one should lie or seek to manipulate the system, which would be a Federal Offense. Be honest, see what happens.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

CNN just released an article on taxability of the stimulus payments and programs it may exempt you from:

[www.cnn.com]

Short version. The $600 is federally taxable....

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

To clarify the $600 Federal in addition to unemployment.

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine