CARES ACT Unemployment Assistance thru Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Application

Self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not qualify can apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Benefits beginning April 20

Massachusetts self-employed can received up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not working as a result of COVID-19 and are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not qualify for regular, extended, or pandemic benefits (including religious institution workers).

These individuals will not be able to claim benefits directly through the Unemployed Insurance Online System in Massachusetts.

Beginning on April 20, 2020, these individuals will be able to complete a Pandemic Unemployment Benefits (PUA) application by visiting https://ui-cares-act.mass.gov/PUA/.

Eligible benefits will be retroactively compensated back to February 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending December 26, 2020.