Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation is a national program that provides financial assistance for unemployed individuals.
It is a part of the federal unemployment programs in the United States. The said program helps and supports individuals who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
It was mainly created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that primarily assists those individuals that are severely impacted by Covid-19.
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) amends the extension of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation when it was signed by United States Pres. Joe Biden on March 27, 2020.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Weekly Benefits
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation mainly provides a $600 weekly benefit for every eligible individual. However, when it was extended through the ARPA, the amount of benefit was reduced by half.
The main objective of the said program is to provide additional benefits for unemployed individuals throughout the United States.
It also serves as a supplemental program together with other unemployment programs. The
financial assistance from the program can ease their financial hardships and solve their respective problems.
Moreover, it will help unemployed individuals to maintain life stability even amidst the pandemic.
Local State Government Handle the Program
Benefits from the FPUC are added to the benefits from other unemployment insurance benefits. In this way, beneficiaries can easily claim their unemployment benefits in a fast and reliable way.
Even though FPUC was created by the federal government, the local state governments manage and handle the said program. They supervise the rules and regulations, qualifications, application, and disbursement of benefits.
Eligible individuals can claim their respective benefits through their local state agencies that manage unemployment insurance benefits.
Purpose of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
The risk of Covid-19 threatens every individual with its continuous spread. When the pandemic reached its peak in March 2020, state businesses, factories, and other establishments were forced to stop their operation.
This situation resulted in the unemployment of millions of individuals throughout the United States. Most of them lost their respective jobs at fault on their own.
At the end of 2020, the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released that the unemployment rate of the United States reached 6.7% and this became the center of the crisis for every American that lost their financial source.
The CARES Act Provides Immediate and Targeted Financial Assistance
In order to assist and help unemployed individuals, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted by the federal government.
It includes three unemployment programs; the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC),
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
These programs primarily provide benefits for unemployed individuals that are affected by Covid-19.
Unemployment programs became the primary source of financial assistance for unemployed individuals. With these, individuals can provide their necessities and maintain their cost of living amidst the pandemic.
Beneficiaries have the freedom to use their benefits from their choice as long as it will help them.
Eligible Individuals will Receive PEUC
The amount of benefit from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation differed when it was extended by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The original benefit from the program was halved when it was extended. Refer to the amount of benefit that can received by a beneficiary under the Federal Unemployment Compensation.
1. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, FPUC will provide $600 weekly benefits for eligible individuals. This program lasted from March 29 to July 25, 2020.
2. Under the American rescue Plan Act (ARPA), FPUC will provide $300 weekly benefits for eligible individuals. This program lasted from December 27, 2020, to September 4, 2021.
Who are the Eligible for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation?
The eligibility rules for the FPUC are set by the U.S. federal government and followed by each local state government. Individuals who are unable to meet the program's standards will be automatically disqualified.
See the list below for the eligibility rules for the said program.
• Individuals must be unemployed through no fault of their own. Individuals who resign from their work due to personal reasons or are removed due to misconduct are automatically ineligible for the said program. The local state agencies will monitor the eligibility of each applicant.
• Individuals must meet the standard earnings within their employment prior to their application for unemployment benefits. The earning guidelines vary depending on your local state, visit your local state office to check your income guidelines.
• Individuals must receive at least $1 from unemployment benefits.
• Individuals must be available to work.
• Individuals must be actively seeking employment as they receive unemployment benefits.
• Further eligibility rules will depend on your local state.
How to Apply for FPUC
There’s no available application process for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance as it is expired.
However, FPUC is retroactive. Individuals who did not receive their respective benefits from the program can still claim them.
Individuals can go with their respective Local State offices to check their pending unemployment benefits and file a claim for them.
Does the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Still Provide Benefits?
Unfortunately, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation stopped providing benefits for beneficiaries.
The
American Rescues Plan Act (ARPA) just extended the said program up to September 6, 2021. Thus, the FPUC is expired. Individuals will not receive benefits from the said program anymore.
On the other side, the U.S Congress does not prioritize another extension of unemployment benefits as the U.S unemployment rate is continuously recovering.
