The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is updating its current systems to distribute federal unemployment funds as part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). The program is designed to bring relief to Georgians currently not eligible for state unemployment benefits may.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA is the program that will provide unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, or those with limited work history who will not qualify for state unemployment benefits.
“We are on the forefront of this economic effort to provide relief to a brand-new group of Georgians who have never received unemployment benefits before,” says Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “Our team is working to make sure we can offer assistance as soon as possible to those in need while also establishing a system that in compliance with federal law.”
The GDOL is modifying its current online unemployment application to identify those who may be eligible for PUA. It includes a different set of wage verifications and a different process for certification of wage benefits. The modified application is expected to be available on Monday, April 13, 2020, on the GDOL website.
Those who have already filed for state unemployment benefits and may be eligible to receive PUA will be notified by email.
