PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (PEUC) AND EXTENDED BENEFITS (EB) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) Q: WHAT EXTENSIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE? A: There are currently two extension programs: the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program (PEUC), which was created by the Federal CARES Act, and the Extended Benefits Program (EB), which goes into effect under state law once the state reaches a certain level of high unemployment. Under federal law, these programs are only available for individuals receiving traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI). Individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits are not eligible for PEUC or EB benefits, but can receive up to 46 weeks of PUA benefits at this time. PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION (PEUC) EXTENDED BENEFITS PROGRAM Provides 13 weeks of additional benefits Provides 20 weeks of additional benefits (as of July 2020 — this may change if New York’s unemployment rate declines) Available as of April 5, 2020 Available as of the benefit week ending July 5, 2020 Expires benefit week ending December 27, 2020 Currently, New Yorkers qualify for extended benefits under federal rules, due to the state’s high rate of unemployment. As the unemployment rate changes, that may also change. Q. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PEUC PROGRAM? A: To be eligible for PEUC, you must first exhaust 26 weeks of regular UI benefits and continue to be unemployed. Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EB PROGRAM? A: To be eligible for EB, you must first exhaust all 26 weeks of traditional unemployment insurance benefits and all 13 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits (a total of 39 weeks of benefits) and continue to be unemployed. Alternatively, if your benefit year for regular unemployment insurance expired after July 1, 2019 and you received the 13 weeks of PEUC benefits, you may be eligible for EB. In addition, you must meet the following basic eligibility requirements: • You are not eligible for regular or extended compensation under any other state or federal law. • You meet basic state eligibility requirements such as being ready, willing and able to work and are searching for work. If you are currently employed, you cannot quit your job to claim Extended Benefits — doing so will result in disqualification. Q: HOW MANY ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF BENEFITS DO PEUC AND EB OFFER? A: Traditional Unemployment Insurance lasts for 26 weeks. PEUC offers 13 weeks of additional benefits and EB offers either 13 or 20 weeks of additional benefits on top of the weeks of PEUC benefits, depending on New York State’s unemployment rate. That means New Yorkers may be eligible for a total of 52 or 59 weeks of Unemployment Insurance benefits, depending on when they filed their claim and if the federal government considers New York to have “high unemployment” or “extremely high unemployment.” As of July 2020, New Yorkers qualify for 20 additional weeks of Extended Benefits. Approved for Benefits 26 weeks of UI Benefits Begin receiving PEUC 13 weeks of PUEC Benefits Begin receiving EB 20 weeks EB Benefits All 59 weeks of benefits exhausted Q: WHAT IS MY BENEFIT RATE FOR THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS? A: Your weekly rate will be the same amount you received for your traditional unemployment insurance benefits, which was based on your recent earnings. You can estimate your weekly benefits with this calculator: labor.ny.gov/benefit-rate-calculator/ Q: WILL I RECEIVE A $600 PAYMENT IN ADDITION TO EACH PAYMENT OF PEUC AND EB? A: Individuals eligible for PEUC and EB are also eligible for a supplemental $600 payment known as Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. However, under federal law, the last week you can claim the additional $600 is the benefit week ending July 26, 2020. Q: I EXHAUSTED MY PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA) BENEFITS. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER PEUC OR EB? A: No. PEUC and EB are only for individuals receiving traditional Unemployment Insurance, not PUA. However, under federal law, those receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) are now eligible for up to 46 weeks of benefits. Q: WHEN DO EXTENDED BENEFITS BEGIN, AND HOW LONG WILL THEY BE AVAILABLE? A: Extended Benefits are available starting the week ending July 5, 2020 — however you must first exhaust all 26 weeks of traditional UI and 13 weeks of PEUC before you can access EB. Q: HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I AM ELIGIBLE FOR EB? A: The Department of Labor will send out letters with instructions to claimants who may be eligible for EB. If you believe you are eligible for EB, but have not received a letter yet, you should take the following actions: If your Benefit Year has not expired, continue to certify for benefits as you previously did using one of the following methods. You will automatically begin to claim Extended Benefits: • Online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin: Log in to the ”My Online Services” page, select “Unemployment Services,” and choose “Claim Weekly Benefits.” • By telephone: Call the Tel-Service toll-free number: 888-581-5812. Tel-Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Instructions for TTY/TDD users (hearing impaired): Call a relay operator at 800-662-1220 and ask the operator to call 888-783-1370. • Instructions for Video Relay users: Contact your relay operator and ask the operator to call 888-783-1370. If your Benefit Year has expired, you must file a new claim. Use one of these methods to file your new claim: • Online at unemployment.labor.ny.gov: Select “Login,” and then choose “File A Claim.” It will be necessary to call the Telephone Claims Center to complete your claim. • By telephone: Call the Telephone Claim Center at 1-888-209-8124, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, Choose your language option and then press “2” to file a claim. After providing the necessary information, you will need to speak to an agent to complete your claim. • Instructions for TTY/TDD users (hearing impaired): Call a relay operator at 800-662-1220 and ask the operator to call 888-783-1370. • Instructions for Video Relay users: Contact your relay operator and ask the operator to call 888-783-1370. Q: HOW DO I CERTIFY FOR WEEKLY BENEFITS UNDER THE EXTENSIONS? A: You certify for the additional weeks of PEUC or EB the same way you certified for weekly benefits in the past. Go to www.labor.ny.gov/signin to certify for benefits on the web or call Tel-Service 888-581-5812 to certify by telephone. You do not need to speak to a Telephone Claims Center agent. Q: WHAT ARE THE WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENTS FOR EB? A: The work search requirements are the same as for traditional Unemployment Insurance (see: https://labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/work-search.shtm). Q: WHAT IF I AM ATTENDING TRAINING APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR? A: If you are attending training approved by the New York State Department of Labor, you may be eligible to receive EB and would not be required to look for work. However, if you are on a break from the training for more than five weeks, you will be required to be available for work and to actively search for work. Q: HOW ARE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PAID UNDER THE EXTENSIONS? A: Your extended unemployment benefits — either PEUC or EB — are typically paid the same as your regular Unemployment Insurance. You will receive your benefits by direct deposit or debit card. The benefits are paid using the same method as the claim that is being extended. If your Benefit Year has expired and you file a new claim online, you will be asked if you want to receive your benefits by direct deposit or debit card. If you file a new claim over the phone, you will automatically receive your benefits via debit card unless you received them by direct deposit on your previous claim. Q: WHAT IF MY ONLINE BENEFIT PAYMENT HISTORY SHOWS “0” UNDER REMAINING BALANCE? A: If you are eligible for EB, the remaining balance amount will be adjusted the next time you certify for benefits. You do not have to file a new unemployment insurance claim unless your benefit year has expired. The system will advise you if your benefit year has expired and you need to file a new claim. Q: WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR BENEFIT EXTENSIONS? A: Under federal law, the last payable week for PEUC is the week ending December 27, 2020. Eligibility for EB is based on your state having a high rate of unemployment, as defined by the federal government. Currently, New York State qualifies for EB. Q: IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER EXTENSION OF PEUC AND/OR EB? A: Both PEUC and EB are federal programs and have not been extended at this time. Continue to check for updates at www.labor.ny.gov.