The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on Monday will begin accepting applications for the new pandemic unemployment assistance program that extends benefits to a range of previously uncovered workers and people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
It will also begin paying out the $600 per week in expanded benefits to unemployed people. Both programs were funded through the CARES Act, according to the Denver Post.
The update — which has been eagerly awaited by self-employed people, independent contractors and people who depended on gig work for their income — will make Colorado among the first states to start paying benefits created by the massive federal stimulus bill, state officials said Friday.
After creating a new claims system independent from the one that processes applications for Colorado’s standard unemployment insurance program, the labor department is hopeful it will be able to handle the needs of the expanded worker groups.
It not clear how many people will apply. More than 231,000 Coloradans have applied for unemployment support in the past four weeks as the new coronavirus causes unprecedented damage to the world economy.
“We don’t know what the volume will look like into our new system because not only do we not know how many gig workers are out there, we don’t know how many of them will apply for unemployment,” Joe Barela, the state labor department’s executive director, said in a news release. “But we have expanded tools and on Monday will have systems in place to begin taking these applications and provide other resources.”
Pandemic unemployment payments can be backdated to Feb. 2, according to Jeff Fitzgerald, the state’s unemployment insurance director. Applicants are being asked to provide their 2018 or 2019 tax returns.
Once people apply, Fitzgerald expects processing to take about 24 hours, then those approved for benefits will be able to request payments for prior weeks. Within a few business days, people should have access to money either through direct deposit into their bank accounts or via a state-issued debit card. Direct deposit is the fastest way to access the money, Fitzgerald said.
Keep reading on the Denver Post.
About Unemployment Insurance
People can receive pandemic unemployment support for up to 39 weeks, 13 weeks longer than the state’s system typically allows. Those who have recently run out of state benefits are being instructed to continue requesting payments every two weeks through the state’s system until the extended support kicks in. Those who have used all of their benefits and stopped requesting payments may have to open new claims through the pandemic unemployment system, state officials say.In order to qualify for benefits, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own (for example a layoff, reduction in hours, or reduction in pay not related to performance). We will contact your previous employer(s) to help determine whether or not you may qualify.
Quitting Your Job
You have the right to leave a job for any reason at any time, but the circumstances of the separation will determine if and when you will receive benefits.
Discharged or Other Reasons
You may still be eligible for payment if you were discharged from your job. A partial list of qualifying separation reasons includes:
domestic violence
personal harassment by the employer not related to the job performance
hazardous working conditions
medical conditions
We will review the circumstances of your job separation to determine if you are eligible for benefits.
Legal Presence Requirements
Colorado law requires all persons 18 years and older to provide proof that they are lawfully present in the United States before receiving unemployment benefits. You must provide one of the following forms of identification (ID):
Valid Colorado driver's license or a valid Colorado ID card.
United States military ID card or a military dependent ID card.
United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card.
Native American tribal document.
Valid driver's license or ID card issued by another state or Canada. U.S. Passport
Before filing a claim, estimate your potential payments.
Contact the Colorado Division of Unemployment Insurance
Colorado Division of Unemployment Insurance | 303-318-9000 | Contact Us
