This week, the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) launched the United States Department of Labor’s Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. This program provides extended monetary support for claimants who have exhausted their regular state unemployment benefits. PEUC is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, which extends eligibility of unemployment benefits up to 13 weeks. 

“Many people who applied for UI in the first weeks of our Covid-19 economic shutdown are rapidly approaching the end of their initial cycle of UI benefits.  This program will give claimants who have exhausted their benefits the ability to continue to receive financial support for up to an additional 13 weeks,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “In a crisis, such as COVID-19, programs like PEUC are necessary to ensure all claimants are taken care of, while continuing to get Georgians back to work.”

Claimants who are potentially eligible for PEUC are those who have received all of the unemployment benefits they are eligible for in their regular unemployment claim and whose benefit year ends after July 1, 2019.  According to the CARES guidelines, the first payable week ending date (WED) of PEUC is April 4, 2020 and the final WED PEUC may be paid is December 26, 2020. For example, if a claimants benefits have run out and their final regular unemployment payment is for WED April 11, 2020, then their PEUC claim will be effective April 12, 2020.  Their first potential PEUC payment would be April 18, 2020.   

“Although programs like PEUC are essential, building these complex and multifaceted systems takes time and attention to detail,” Butler said. “Our Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Information Technology (IT) teams have been challenged with the unprecedented task of developing and executing these programs with extraordinary timelines.  Our entire team has been amazing with their time and dedication to getting these programs created so that Georgians can receive benefits.   As we receive further instruction from the USDOL on guidelines and regulations, we will continue to update our programs and keep our claimants informed on any changes.”   

PEUC is only payable to individuals determined to have no further entitlement to receive regular unemployment benefits and must be paid prior to other state and federal programs, such as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Claimants are eligible to receive PEUC benefits for each week they request payment and continue to meet the eligibility requirements of being able and available to work.   Claimants will need to do so online at dol.georgia.gov by selecting Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payment. Notifications have been sent to all claimants with instructions on what to do.  Claimants who receive at least $1 in state or federal benefits, are eligible for the FPUC $600 weekly supplement and the payment will be issued after the weekly benefit payment.   

“As we see the number of initial claims continue to decrease each week, my staff remains vigilant on processing large volumes of claims and works to implement further advancements with programs like PEUC,” Commissioner Butler said.  “We can expect additional extensions of benefits in the future based on our unemployment numbers although our mission is to get Georgians back in the workplace.” 

The GDOL announced today that $5,440,822,786 in state and federal benefits have been paid to claimants across the state during the past 12 weeks. This includes payments in regular state UI, PUA, and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).  

Weekly regular state UI initial claims totaled 135,254, down about 14,000 over the previous week. Of the weekly total, 85,244 (63 percent) were employer filed claims. Initial claims have declined five of the last six weeks.  

Payments over last week totaled $156,742,002 in regular weekly unemployment benefits, down $4.1 million over the prior week.  Since March 21, over $1.4 billion has been paid in regular state UI benefits.

The number of initial unemployment claims filed throughout the United States was 1,542,000, a decrease of 355,000 from the previous week’s revised level of 1,897,000. 

Over the past 12 weeks, the sectors with the most regular UI initial claims processed included Accommodation and Food Services, 625,213, Health Care and Social Assistance, 288,476, Retail Trade, 283,126, Administrative and Support Services, 204,925, and Manufacturing, 191,135.  

Last week, the GDOL issued over $103 million in PUA payments to individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits. From week ending 3/21/2020 through 6/6/2020, 179,003 PUA claims have been processed and are eligible for payment. 

In addition, the total federal funds issued for FPUC totaled over $589 million last week. Over the past 12 weeks, the GDOL has issued more than $3.6 billion in FPUC funds. FPUC provides an additional $600 weekly payment to any individual eligible for any of the unemployment compensation programs – state and federal.  

As of June 9, the Georgia Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Balance was $1,466,628,378, down $1.08 billion, or 42 percent, from the balance of $2,547,476,454 on March 24.   

“Our IT teams have been challenged with creating these new programs, while at the same time trying to address the claims still under determination,”  said Commissioner Butler.  “We are working diligently to address claims still outstanding from earlier months, but many of these claims have various stops and must be worked manually which takes time to research and process.” 

The GDOL is continuing to work with employers to announce job opportunities that are critical during this crisis – some in the workplace and others that can be done from home. Today, over 96,000 jobs are listed online at EmployGeorgia.com for Georgians to access. The GDOL offers online resources for finding a job, building a resume, and assisting with other reemployment needs. 

At this time, the GDOL career centers are remaining closed to the public. All online services are still available as the staff continues to answer phones, return emails, and assist applicants. The  

GDOL will open offices to the public as soon as social distancing can be effectively implemented to protect both staff and customers.

Information on filing an unemployment claim, details on how employers can file partial claims, and resources for other reemployment assistance can be found on the agency’s webpage at dol.georgia.gov.