getgrants

PUA is a federal benefit available to workers who are unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and who do not qualify for Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI). This includes:

• Independent Contractors
• Self-employed workers
• Non-profit employees
• Part-time workers do not have enough work history to be eligible to make a claim

To qualify for PUA, you must be unemployed as a direct result of one of the 10 COVID-19 related reasons . Proof of your income is required to be eligible for PUA.

ATTENTION: If you have not already done so, and have a salary with a covered employer (who pays UI taxes) in the last 18 months, submit a regular UI application . PUA is only available to workers who are not eligible for the regular UI.

1. REQUEST IT ONLINE

   • File an application for PUA Apply for PUA here by creating an account or logging in at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov .
    
   • Go to your UI summary page.
   • Select the link "Click here to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance".
   • Have the following information ready:
     • Social Security number
     • Wisconsin driver's license, if you have one
     • A list of all employers you worked for in the last 18 months, their full addresses (including zip codes), phone numbers, and the dates you started and stopped working for them.
     • Those who do not qualify monetarily for a UI claim will need proof of salary / self-employment from the most recent fiscal year.
   • Hours of operation: Apply for PUA online during the following hours:

     Sunday	9:00 AM - Medianochet
     Monday Friday	Available 24 hours
     Saturday	1:00 AM - 3:00 PM

     For help on how to use the online services or if you cannot access the internet, call the PUA Helpline at (608) 318-7100. The hotline is available from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

     This hotline is exclusively to help you complete your PUA application and provide general information about the PUA program. If you call for any other reason beyond PUA, your question will not be answered; call the claimant helpline .

2. SUBMIT PROOF OF YOUR INCOME

   • After submitting the PUA application, you must submit proof of your income within 21 days.
     • Complete federal tax return from the previous year (2019). Please include the following when applicable:
       • Business Profit or Loss Form C
       • Agriculture Profit or Loss Form F
       • Form K 1- Share of partner income
     • W-2 from previous year (2019)
     • Proof of final salary in 2019
     • If you don't have any of the above documents, you can file your 2018 federal tax return (ATTENTION: if you can't present proof of your 2019 salary, you will only be able to receive the minimum PUA payment. Once you can provide your proof of income to 2019, your claim may be re-evaluated. If it results in a higher amount, adjusted payments will be issued.)
   • Send proof of income by mail or fax:
     • Mail:
       Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program
       PO Box 7905
       Madison WI 53707
     • Fax:
       (608) 327-6193
       Include a cover sheet; write ATTN: PUA on the cover sheet, and include: 1) the number of pages you are faxing (except the cover sheet); 2) your full name and 3) your social security number.

3. PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILE WE PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION

   • Due to the new program and the unprecedented volume of requests, it may take additional time to process your request.
   • Unless you have been instructed to call, you do not need to call the department . If there is a question or problem with your request, we will be able to contact you by phone or mail. If you haven't heard from us, it means your request is still being processed.
   • You do not need to do anything else until we contact you directly.

4. CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY

   • Once your PUA Application is processed, we will send you a determination.
   • If you qualify for PUA, your determination will provide additional instructions on how to file your weekly claims.

5. FILE A WEEKLY CLAIM

   • You cannot file weekly claims for PUA until your eligibility is determined. If you qualify for PUA, your determination will provide additional instructions on how to file your weekly claims.
   • After you are told that you can start filing your weekly claims, you must file a weekly claim for each week that you want to receive benefits.
   • If you are eligible for weeks that have already passed, you can also file your claim at that time. ** You will be paid retroactively for weeks due.