Two new unemployment insurance program letters from DOL over the weekend

DOL just won't let up - over the weekend we got not one, but two program letters regarding CARES Act unemployment compensation expansion. Some of the highlights:

• Eligibility for COVID-19 related reasons;
• Many workers who were previously ineligible are now eligible, including self-employed workers, gig workers, independent contractors, and folks who had exhausted rights to benefits;
• Bonus time! An extra 13 weeks of UC if necessary (39 weeks total);
• Bonus cash! An extra $600 per week.

For more details and program guidance, see:

• Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 15-20 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 - Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program Operating, Financial, and Reporting Instructions; and
• Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 16-20 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program Operating, Financial, and Reporting Instructions

Also, states are responsible for administering UC (or UI), so your state probably has additional state-specific guidance. I hate to brag, but Pennsylvania's site has been pretty darned good
.