COVID-19: Unemployment Compensation Information

End and Reduction of Unemployment Benefit Programs (updated as of 5/18/2021)

Indiana has announced that it will end many unemployment benefits and all unemployment benefits will be decreased as of the week ending 6/19/2021. The programs ending are Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Unemployment Emergency Compensation (PEUC). Benefits will stop for anyone currently receiving benefits and you will no longer be able to apply for PUA or PEUC after 6/19/2021.

In addition, after 6/19/2021 Indiana will no longer participate in a federal program adding $300/week to all unemployment benefits. All unemployment benefits which continue after 6/19/2021 will be reduced by $300/week.

Indiana has also reinstated the work search requirement as of 6/6/2021. In order to be eligible for any unemployment benefits, a claimant must engage in at least one work search activity per week and keep documentation of the work search activity. For more information on how to comply with the work search requirement: https://www.in.gov/dwd/indiana-unemployment/individuals/work-search/

DELAYS IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND PAYMENTS (updated January 21, 2021)

Many of the Unemployment Compensation Benefit programs were modified or extended through a new law passed at the end of 2020. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) were temporarily on hold, but vouchers will be available on Friday, January 22, 2021. Vouchers for back weeks will also be available. When back vouchers are available to file Claimants should file them in chronological order starting with the oldest date first. For example, if you have vouchers to file for the week of December 27, 2020, January 3, 2021 and January 10, 2021, file December 27, 2020 first, then January 3, followed by January 10. Claimants should continue to monitor their Uplink account regularly, and take any action contained under their “To Do” banner. The system will eventually catch up for delayed payments.

CARES Act Unemployment Programs have been extended! (Updated December 28, 2020)

The PUA program has been extended through March 14, 2021. See below for eligibility information.
The PEUC program has added 24 additional weeks to regular (state) unemployment insurance. See below for details.
The FPUC program adds $300 in additional benefits.
After March 14, works approved for PUA or PEUC who have not exhausted all the weeks of benefits may collect for four additional weeks--up to and including the week of April 5, 2021.
NOTE: New PUA claims may only go back to December 1, 2020

Important Notice About DWD Unemployment Appeals Process (Updated December 8, 2020)

If you have an appeal pending for unemployment benefits with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) you are typically notified of your hearing at least 10 days in advance through email and a written notice in your Uplink account. DWD is starting a new process where it will also call some claimants and offer you the OPTION of proceeding with your hearing immediately. You should know the following about this option:

If you are called, you do not have to agree to participate in the immediate hearing. You can still proceed with the traditional hearing process and receive 10 days notice.
If you need time to organize your thoughts, it is not a good time for you, or you wish to submit documents which support your case, you may want to decline the immediate hearing. You will only receive one hearing. You want to be able to present all evidence in support of your case.

If you are represented by an attorney, do not participate in a hearing without your attorney also present by phone.
You may be contacted for this type of hearing 7 days a week, including Saturday or Sunday.
Make sure your contact information is up to date in Uplink or with DWD.

Notice Regarding PUA: You must first be denied traditional unemployemnt--if you applied already, go to your UpLink account and look for a message to apply for PUA benefits.

If you are having any problems applying for benefits, or if you are denied the new PUA benefit, you may contact Indiana Legal Services for help. Click here to find out how to apply for legal help.

Before the COVID-19 crisis began and still today, Indiana offers unemployment compensation to workers who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own. That system (which we refer to here as “traditional state unemployment benefits”) is run by Indiana’s Department of Workforce Development. (“DWD”) and it is still operational as before. However, as a result of the state and federal response to the COVID-19 crisis, there have been several changes to the benefits now available or soon to be available to unemployed Hoosiers. In summary, those changes are as follows:

You may be eligible for traditional state unemployment benefits if you have lost your work or have had to leave your work for reasons related to the COVID-19 crisis;
If you qualify for traditional state unemployment benefits, your eligibility for those benefits may be extended from 26 weeks to 39 weeks;
If you qualify for traditional state unemployment benefits, the amount of your benefits will be increased by $600.00 per week through July 31, 2020. Depending on further federal and state government action, some amount of additional benefits may become available;
If you do not qualify for traditional state unemployment benefit but are out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis, even if you were self-employed before the crisis, you may be eligible for all the same benefits as stated above.

More details will be explained below.

Should I apply for Unemployment Compensation?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should apply:
- Were you laid off (even temporarily) due to a reason related to COVID-19?
- Are you unable to find work for reasons related to COVID-19?
- Are you in quarantine under the direction of a medical professional?
- Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19 or seeking a diagnosis due to symptoms?
- Are you “self-employed” or a “gig worker” unable to work for COVID-19 related reasons?
- Do you have to stay home to take care of a sick person related to COVID-19?
- Do you have to stay home to care for a child whose school or day care is closed due to COVID-19?
- Are your hours reduced, but you are still employed?
- Were you scheduled to start work but could not due to COVID-19?
- Are you now the sole breadwinner because the head of your household has died as a direct result of COVID-19?
- Were you terminated from your employment without just cause or did you leave your employment for good cause related to the work, even if the COVID-19 crisis was not an issue?
The bottom line, you should apply. If you are unemployed or cannot find work for a variety of reasons related to COVID-19, you SHOULD apply for unemployment benefits as you are more likely to get unemployment because of changes in the law. Apply for benefits here with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

What if I am denied Unemployment Compensation?

If you are denied Unemployment Compensation, you should appeal immediately. There are strict time deadlines for filing your appeal. You should receive appeal instructions in your denial notice. You have the right to representation in an appeal hearing. Indiana Legal Services may be able to represent you in this appeal free of charge. Click here to learn how to apply for legal help.

Can I get Unemployment Compensation if I am receiving sick or other leave pay from my employer?

If you are receiving sick pay or other leave-related pay from your employer, you probably cannot get Unemployment Compensation. However, you may wish to apply anyway to have DWD evaluate your claim. For more information on work leave and pay protections, click here.

I have received an Overpayment Notice. What should I do?

If this is the first Overpayment notice you have received, you should look for a Determination Notice which has been issued around the same date in your Uplink account and follow the instructions on that notice to appeal immediately. If your appeal is pending, DWD should not pursue any collections efforts against you.
If you still have an Overpayment at the conclusion of your appeal, you may be eligible for a Waiver of your Overpayment. Not all types of Unemployment Benefits are eligible, but all or a portion of your overpayment may be waived if:

All the information you submitted associated with your Unemployment Claim was accurate;
You received benefits during an appeal or because of an error by the employer or DWD; and
Repayment would cause economic hardship for you.

The “Overpayment Waiver Request Application” is available from DWD’s forms section as form 52986: https://www.in.gov/dwd/2406.htm Efforts to collect your overpayment will be paused while your waiver application is pending. If a claimant’s initial waiver request is denied, a claimant may submit a request for a waiver reconsideration if there has been a significant change in economic circumstances and 6 months have passed since the initial waiver request. Thereafter, a request for reconsideration can be submitted once every 12 months.

What is the difference between “regular” Unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?

Regular Unemployment Compensation (referred to above as “traditional state unemployment compensation”) is the benefit you receive if (1) you were terminated from your employment without just cause or left your employment for good cause related to the work and (2) have sufficient earnings over the year which ended two calendar quarters before the week in which you file for benefits. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) is a new federal benefit available, distributed through the state, if you don’t qualify for traditional state unemployment compensation but are unemployed for COVID-19 related reasons. It is also available for individuals who have exhausted or “run-out” of their traditional state unemployment compensation.

I’m a “gig-worker”/ “self-employed”/”contractor” and I can’t work for reasons related to COVID-19. Can I still get Unemployment Compensation?

Yes, the new PUA benefit should apply to you once Indiana implements the provisions of the new federal law. For updates on when it will be available, go to DWD’s website.
What should I do right now? Although the PUA benefits are not yet available, you should go ahead and apply. You will likely receive a denial notice until PUA has been implemented by the state. According to DWD, receiving a denial on a “state claim” is a necessary step for getting approved for the new benefit. As of April 24th, if you receive a denial, you should receive a message allowing you to apply PUA These benefits are retroactive meaning you can get paid for weeks before you were approved--from the time you first became unemployed for COVID-19 reasons. You should be able to file weekly vouchers for the weeks before you applied to get retroactive benefits.

What about the additional $300 in benefits I’ve heard about? Will I get that?

The new stimulus law signed on December 28th will add an additional $300 in unemployment benefits. This additioanl benefit extend until Marhc 14th, 2021.
The previous progam of $600 additional benefits expired on July 31, 2020--however, individuals who may have been entitled to these benefits but are still waiting on a decision from DWD may still be able to collect anythign owed).

My bills/rent are coming due, what should I do while I wait for my Unemployment Compensation to be approved?

This is a tough situation. You should be in contact with your landlord or your mortgage company to let them know you are waiting for your benefits. PUA money should start to go out on or before May 9, 2020. For additional information on mortgages, click here. For additional information on rent, click here.

I just got my stimulus payment from the federal government, will that affect my Unemployment Compensation?

According to DWD, your stimulus payment will NOT affect your weekly benefits. For more information on stimulus payments, click here.

Okay, now that I’ve applied for unemployment benefits, do I need to do anything else?

Yes, you need to file "vouchers" each week--even if you are waiting to be approved or you are appealing a denial. This helps DWD determine if you are still eligible each week. For more information, click here.
For PUA benefits, DWD will make vouchers available for past weeks as well. You should be able to file a voucher to claim benefits from the time you were first unemployed.

How long can I get Unemployment Compensation?

Unemployment Compensation will be extended to 39 weeks, or through the end of 2020. In Indiana, unemployed workers are entitled to 26 weeks of benefits. The new federal law adds another 13 weeks of benefits.

My employer contacted me to go back to work. Am I required to do this even if I am afraid of getting COVID-19?

It depends on your circumstances. DWD has frequently asked questions that address this topic. Although a "general fear" of COVID-19 may not be grounds for keeping unemployment compensation eligiblity, there are circumstances (substantial changes in job duties, unsafe work environment, caring for someone who is quarantined due to COVID-19, etc.) that may mean you are still qualified. If DWD says you are no longer eligible, you may appeal that determination. If you appeal, we may be able to assist you in your hearing. Click here to learn how to apply for legal help.

I worked outside of the state of Indiana. Where should I apply?

Generally, you should apply in the state where you were employed regardless of where you are living now. If you have W-2 wages in Indiana and another state, you should apply in Indiana and call DWD and request to have your case handled as a combined wage claim. DWD will instruct you if you need to file in the other state.

For additional information, see the Frequently Asked Questions at the Indiana DWD Website