👩🏽‍💻NOTE FROM THE ADVOC8TE: If you made more than $19,000 in 2019 and you were approved for PUA then you are entitled to more than that $179/week that DOES has been paying! Be sure to ask for your weekly increase and backpay! This is your money!

 What is PUA?

PUA covers individuals who are not eligible for traditional UI benefits, including the self-employed, those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and those who have exhausted their benefit eligibility under both traditional UI, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Extended Benefits (EB). As with traditional UI benefits, claimants should apply for PUA in the jurisdiction where they worked rather than where they live. PUA is effective February 2, 2020, through December 26, 2020. To apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, click here.

All PUA claims are being reviewed by claims examiners to determine if sufficient documentation is present to process back payments. If additional information is needed, a claims examiner will contact individuals directly. We are currently reviewing applications and contacting claimants who we have identified as not completing the full application process. We are unable to determine eligibility without having all of the required documentation on file. As emails and robocalls are being sent daily, please ensure that you are checking all devices for correspondence from DOES, including your email junk or spam folders.

PUA Monetary Determination Letters

Monetary determinations for PUA applications have been mailed to all individuals with a monetarily eligible PUA claim. If you received this notice, no additional action is required unless you would like to request a redetermination of your weekly benefit amount.

If you believe that you are eligible for a higher weekly benefit amount and have supporting wage documentation, please email PUA@dc.gov. All requests for redetermination will be processed in the order in which they are received.

What do I need to show to be redetermined?

Acceptable documentation of wages can include, but is not limited to:

• Tax returns for 2019

• Paycheck stubs

• Bank receipts

• Ledgers

• Contracts

• Form 1099-MISC

• Invoices

• Billing statements

For more information, please read our PUA FAQs.