Unemployment Benefits update from Ben Lien

Start
6 Apr 2020
1:00 PM
End
17 Apr 2020
11:30 PM

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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS UPDATE FROM BEN LIEN

MN UI program staff is working to clear issues from individual claims as quickly as possible. Applicants will receive a call or email if additional information is needed. They should also log in to their online account every day to see if there are messages or to see if the “request payment” link is active.

There are several other resources and options:

The MN UI call center is now taking calls from individuals who have questions about their account or the application process. Here is the call center (651-296-3644) schedule:

If you need:	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
help to complete an application	Not available	Not available	Not available	Not available	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
to request a payment	Not available	SSNs ending in: 1, 3 or 5 (6 a.m. to noon.) 7 or 9 (noon to 6 p.m.)	SSNs ending in: 0, 2 or 4 (6 a.m. to noon) 6 or 8 (noon to 6 p.m.)	SSNs ending in: Any number 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	SSNs ending in: Any number 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
help with your password	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
help with questions about your account	8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Not available

There are also step-by-step instructions, with screen shots, for the application process. These PDF files are available at:

General: https://www.uimn.org/assets/application-step-by-step-instructions_tcm1068-425435.pdf

Self-employed applicants: https://www.uimn.org/assets/application-step-by-step-instructions-selfemployed_tcm1068-425640.pdf

The MN UI website also has detailed information, including FAQs, about the benefits and application process. The main site is:

https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/covid-19.jsp

There have also been a lot of questions from self-employed workers who are wondering whether the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefit is available. Updates about this program, as well as the $600/week additional compensation and 13-week benefit extension, are available at:

https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news-updates/cares-act.jsp

For the PUA program, MN DEED is waiting for guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor about how to implement this new benefit. Self-employed workers can go ahead and submit an application (use the step-by-step guide) and they will be notified if additional information is needed. Once the application is submitted, they should monitor their account. The MN UI program website notes that they expect PUA benefits will be available before the end of April.

Please keep in mind that PUA benefits are available retroactively starting with weeks of unemployment beginning on or after January 27^th, 2020 and ending on or before December 31^st, 2020, for up to 39 weeks.

This can be a very frustrating situation, but the MN UI program has received more than 300,000 applications for UI benefits since March 16^th – this number is significantly higher than the total number of applications they received during all of 2019. Their staff is working around the clock to keep up with the volume of applications and to establish a completely new process for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

PO Box 612, Moorhead, MN 56561