Iowa Workforce Development says unemployment checks should go out within ten days

Hunter
04/06/20
Unemployment benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic should be reaching the hands of those that need it within the next ten days.
That’s the word from Iowa Workforce Development, who outlined the benefits of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, act in a news release Monday.
In that release, IWD says that the CARES Act also includes eligibility for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits in any amount to be paid an additional $600 weekly benefit. After receiving guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, IWD has begun aligning resources and technology to create the necessary processes to be able to pay qualified individuals their benefits as quickly as possible, and they estimate this will occur within the next 10 days. That additional payment is eligible between the week beginning March 29 and ending July 25th.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to those who are self-employed, independent contractors, non-profit employees, so-called “gig” workers and part-timers who wouldn’t normally qualify for benefits.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation provides up to 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who’ve already exhausted regular unemployment benefits, or have no rights to regular unemployment benefits. The window to collect those 13 weeks runs from March 29th to December 26th.
Iowa Workforce Development advises that employees who quit their job, refuse to return to work or refuse to receive full-time pay are not eligible for these benefits.
Businesses employing less than 500 people are eligible for the CARES act Paycheck Protection Program through the Small Business Administration. These low-interest loans are forgivable if all employees are kept on the payroll for at least eight weeks, and the loan is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
Further information, as well as updates of frequently asked questions, are available at www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov.