What is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?

Updated March, 2021

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a temporary federal program that supplies unemployment benefits for those persons who become fully or partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 on or after January 27, 2020 and were not eligible to receive traditional unemployment compensation or PEUC. The PUA program is for self-employed people, independent contractors, gig-workers, and part-time workers. It was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed by President Trump in March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The PUA program has been extended until September 6, 2021; after President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

For more information on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

• Who qualifies for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
• How much money will I get from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
• How do I apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance?
• What is Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)?
• What is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)?