I hope you find these Tips and Tidbits (#2) helpful.
Unemployment Roundup
There is ongoing news of a potential new stimulus package, but so far it’s all just “talk”. I will post if and when a new stimulus package passes. Make sure to subscribe to be notified when a new article is published.
You can still apply for Unemployment and the EIDL low-interest loan.
Related Articles
Issues with Claims and Certifying Backweeks
Lately, things are taking longer at the DOL. Messages are not being responded to promptly, phone calls often go nowhere, and people often need to call the DOL numerous times, even after a representative said that the issue was resolved.
If you recently signed up for Unemployment with a starting date in the past, it can take up to a month to get all your backweeks certified and paid.
I have heard reports that some higher-ups in the DOL are not happy with people claiming more than six months back. So that may be why they are making things more difficult. Also, there are many new recruits at the DOL. That, together with an overwhelmed system, could be why there are so many unresolved issues.
If your account is stuck in limbo, don’t give up. You should get whatever you are eligible for at the end. Many people are in the same situation.
This is also a reminder to those who are eligible not to push off applying for Unemployment or certifying backweeks. It can take a long time until your claim is paid, and you don’t want to lose out.
PPP Forgiveness Update
PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) is a loan for small businesses and self-employed/1099 individuals, for which you can apply for forgiveness to essentially turn the loan into a free grant.
The SBA released guidance that made it easier for people with existing PPP loans of less than $50,000 (which includes all Self Employed and 1099 people) to get their loan forgiven. I’ll write a post about it when Bluevine and Dime open up their portals for loan forgiveness.
PPP is closed to new applications as of August 8, 2020.
Social Security and Unemployment
Reader Question: I’m over 65 and collecting social security. Can I get Unemployment at the same time?
Answer: Yes, you can get both Unemployment and social security at the same time, as long as you’re eligible for Unemployment.
See more Frequently Asked Questions here and here.
Food Stamps and Medicaid
If you might be eligible for Medicaid or Food Stamps (SNAP), read this. Now during Covid, it is also easier for students to apply.
Read how eligible SNAP recipients get the maximum amount each month.
To understand how Unemployment affects Medicaid eligibility, read ‘Medicaid During Covid-19‘.
Pandemic EBT
P-EBT (The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program) is a federal program that gives money for children whose schools were closed due to the Pandemic and as such missed out on receiving school meals. If your children get free or reduced-price lunches at school, you should automatically receive money for each child. In NY, the amount is $420 per child for the months of April-June 2020 (March: $68, April: $125, May: $119 and June: $108). There may be more funds in the future too, so don’t throw out your card once you spent the money.
If you already get SNAP (Food Stamps), the extra $420 per child should have been loaded onto your existing EBT card. If not, you should receive a separate card per child. Either way, you are meant to automatically receive the money without any action needed on your part.
If you did not yet receive the $420, or if you are not sure if you are eligible, call 833-452-0096 and ask the representative to help you to find out when you’ll receive the $420.
Check out the ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ and read ‘Pandemic EBT Assistance‘ to understand more about the program.
Some NY-Based Grants and Loans
See ChaiPlus1 for some options not covered on HomeUnemployed.com
Brooklyn Man Charged with EIDL Fraud
EIDL is a low-interest loan for small businesses and 1099 workers.
Someone was charged for allegedly applying for an EIDL without actually running a business. This person was first arrested in the summer for allegedly trying to cut the brakes of a police vehicle (!!) and when his phone was searched, the police saw screenshots of his EIDL application for a carwash with a business address of an apartment in a multi-family building.
Read more here.
Some morals of the story (amongst many others…) are not to cut police vehicles’ brakes and not lie on an EIDL application. Be honest!
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