Some PUA claimants are still getting eligibility determinations about proof-of-work documentation.
In 2021, the PUA system sent automated messages to claimants’ portals about proof-of-work documentation requirements. These were sent because of changes made to the CARES Act in December 2020.
Proof-of-work documentation is only required to be eligible for benefits for weeks in 2021. It was not required to get benefits for weeks in 2020.
What kind of documentation is required?
In order to be eligible for weeks in the year 2021, PUA claimants must provide documentation of recent employment or self-employment prior to when you first filed for PUA.
- If you first applied for PUA in 2020, then your document (paystubs, tax documents, contracts, business licenses, etc) must show some proof of work between January 2019 and when you applied for PUA.
- If you first applied for PUA in 2021, then your document (paystubs, tax documents, contracts, business licenses, etc) must show some proof of work between January 2020 and when you applied for PUA.
I got a determination that says I was ineligible for PUA benefits because I did not provide proof-of-work documentation.
What should I do?
You should appeal the determination.
If you already uploaded proof-of-work documents in your PUA portal before you got the determination, you should explain that in your appeal.
If you never uploaded proof-of-work documents in your PUA portal, you should still appeal. You should bring your proof-of-work documents to your appeal hearing.