PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Labor and Regulation is finalizing the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) online application with an approximate launch date of Monday, April 20, and has identified documentation required for processing claims.
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees and gig workers. This includes individuals working part time, or who otherwise would not qualify for unemployment benefits under state or federal law.
“Individuals should start gathering their information now in preparation for filing a claim,” said state Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. “You will need to provide proof of wages when submitting the PUA application.”
If the individual worked in 2019, provide one of the following:
2019 Federal Tax Return
2019 1099 – Miscellaneous Income Only
2019 W-2 Final pay stub in 2019
If the individual does not have any of the above, provide a 2018 Federal Tax Return.
If the individual did not work in 2019, provide one of the following:
If working for an employer Jan. 1, 2020, or later:
Last pay stub received in 2020 If self-employed Jan. 1, 2020, or later: Invoice, billing, other documentation to provide proof of self-employment
“If you are not able to provide proof of your wages, you will only be allowed the minimum PUA benefit payment of $172,” said Secretary Marcia Hultman. “If and when you provide your proof of earnings, your claim will be redetermined. If it results in a higher amount, adjusted payments will be issued to you.”
A claimant can be compensated with the PUA benefit beginning Feb. 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending Dec. 26, 2020.
“Our goal is to issue payments to those who are eligible as soon as administratively feasible,” said Secretary Hultman. “We will announce when the PUA benefit application is available.” Visit https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/cares.aspx#pua for more information.
(The S.D. Department of Labor contributed this report/news release.)
