How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits in PA if You are Self-Employed or An Independent Contractor During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pursuant to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, these individuals will also receive an additional $600 per week in benefits through July 31, 2020.

Eligibility for PUA Benefits

Those individuals who are eligible for benefits under PUA are the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers, who are not eligible under Pennsylvania state law, and individuals who lack sufficient work history or have previously exhausted their state benefits. 

Required Employment Documentation

Individuals applying for benefits will need to provide documentation of employment or self-employment, such as copies of their recent paycheck stubs, bank deposit receipts, IRS-1099 forms, billing notices to customers, advertisements for services, statements from customers, current business licenses, ledgers, contracts or invoices, and/or leases.  Additionally, they will need to provide documentation of wages, such as tax returns, paycheck stubs, bank receipts, ledgers, contracts, invoices and/or billing statements.

COVID-19 Impact Documentation

Moreover, those individuals will need to substantiate the COVID-19 reason for their inability to work by providing documentation, such as proof from a medical professional regarding diagnosis or isolation instructions, notices or emails from school or childcare providers, notices or emails from a county or state government regarding the closure of businesses or stay at home orders, notices or emails from customers stating that their services are not needed due to COVID-19 related shutdowns, or proof of a job being postponed or cancelled.

Application Process

Applications can be made online here.

Contact Information

If you have a question about PUA or other unemployment benefits you may be eligible for, please feel free to contact us at contact@nochumson.com and an attorney at Nochumson P.C. will immediately reach out to you to schedule a free consultation.