Unemployment applications open for new PUA program
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Those who are self-employed, independent contractors or otherwise ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits will be able to start applying for benefits on Monday, April 20.
This program falls under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act).
On Monday, the state will also begin issuing payments under Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). Learn about the application process:
Virtual FAQ for claimant questions
9:15 a.m., April 20 (English)
11:30 a.m., April 20 (Spanish)
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Expanded unemployment benefits for those who don't qualify for state unemployment insurance and are unemployed as a result of COVID-19.
Available from Feb. 2 through Dec. 26
Allows for up to 39 weeks of benefits
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Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
Allocates an additional $600 to recipients of traditional unemployment and PUA benefits.
Applies to claims from March 29 through July 25 and is retroactive to the date of claim filing.
Is automatic. No application necessary.
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State employment situation release may cause confusion
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Dramatic changes in Colorado's unemployment picture will not be reflected in today's release of the monthly unemployment data. Because those numbers are largely based on data not yet reflecting COVID-19 economic impacts, the Northwest Workforce Area will not be featuring the release in our newsletter.
The release is based on data collected the week of March 9-13, which is just prior to the first massive influx of COVID-19-related unemployment claims.
The report,
available here
, shows the initial impacts of this public health crisis, but is not yet yet reflective of the number of unemployment claims entered in the final two weeks of March.
The five industries with the highest claims are:
- Accommodation and Food Services - 21,124
- Healthcare and Social Service - 9,717
- Retail Trade - 7,400
- Other Services* - 5,914
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation - 4,080
The May unemployment situation, which is inclusive of April data, will be the first release where impacts of COVID-19 will be reflective of our new economic reality.
The Northwest Workforce Area Business Services Team will resume its regular updates in May when the numbers more accurately reflect the current situation.
*Other services include personal services such as nail and beauty salons, barbers, etc
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The C
olorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced Thursday that there were 104,217 initial unemployment claims filed the week ending April 11.
That is at least 55,000 more than the week ending April 4. Over the past four weeks, 231,610 initial claims have been filed.
Also of note:
- Online payment requests made since March 16: 150,000+
- Benefits paid for the week ending April 11: $62.0 million
- Benefits paid for the week ending April 4: $29.8 million
- Average 2020 weekly benefits paid for weeks prior: $8.7 million
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Unemployment numbers now available by industry, county
Communities seeking to understand the impacts of coronavirus-related closures now have access to data on initial unemployment claims by county and by industry.
Though there is a lag in the data, it should be extremely useful for response planning. The current report includes claims through March 28. Numbers through April 4 are expected late today.
In the Rural Resort area, Eagle County showed the highest initial impact in total claim volume. Eagle County was also one of the earliest counties in the state to be hit with a high level of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Industry-level data is not yet available by county, but it is clear that jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector are highest impacted statewide and with the majority of regional jobs in this industry it highlights local impacts.
Graphics featuring Colorado's historic unemployment claims, rates and benefits paid are
available here.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
The weekly level initial claims data are NOT directly comparable to the state-level data the Department submits to the Employment and Training Administration every week. Totals differ due to timing and definitional differences between this collection of claims data and the official weekly figures.
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Register online to get stimulus checks via direct deposit
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People with banking information on file with the IRS are seeing economic stimulus payments land in their accounts, but the first round of paper checks won't be issued until May 4.
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Paper checks will be rolled out in several waves starting with those in the lowest income bracket and moving through to higher income brackets.
Those who don't want to -- or can't -- wait for paper checks, can file their banking information online with the IRS.
A residents' banking information may not be on file with the IRS if they do not file taxes or don't typically receive tax returns via direct deposit. Individuals are urged to update their payment information in order to speed up delivery of the individual economic impact payments.
SCAM ALERT!
NOTE:
There are a large number of scammers trying to gain access to personal information. Please visit the official IRS site to sign up and do not enter personal information on any website that is not an official government portal.
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Upcoming options for free, online training for businesses
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Colorado Workforce Center staff available for support
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Eagle and Lake County
719.486.2428
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Summit County
970.668.5360
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Colorado Department
of Labor & Employment
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Mark Hoblitzell
Regional Business Services Coordinator
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Previous Employer Updates:
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