Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionWhen do I start getting the extra $300 a week?
Beginning on the week ending January 2, 2021, through the week ending March 13, 2021, individuals will receive the extra $300 FPUC payment for all weeks they receive UC, PEUC, EB, or PUA benefits.
UC claimants will receive the FPUC payments, which are paid approximately one week after UC benefits are paid. Once the PEUC and PUA Programs are making payments, the FPUC payments will be made retroactively for any backdated weeks of benefits for weeks ending January 2, 2021, and later. The $300 per week will be a separate payment from your bi-weekly benefit.
I already filed a bi-weekly claim for past weeks, do I still get the extra $300? When will I receive it?
Individuals will receive a $300 FPUC payment for all weeks for which they receive an underlying unemployment benefit from the week ending January 2, 2021, through the week ending March 13, 2021.
UC and EB claimants should now be receiving FPUC payments, which are paid approximately one week after regular UC benefits are paid. Once the PEUC and PUA Programs are making payments, FPUC payments will be made retroactively for any backdated weeks of benefits for weeks ending January 2, 2021, and later. The $300 FPUC payment will be a separate payment from your bi-weekly benefit.
It says I get an extra $300 a week, but I file a bi-weekly claim and receive benefits for two weeks at a time. How will that work?
The $300 FPUC payment will be paid separately from your bi-weekly benefit payment for the same amount of weeks that you filed. For instance, if you file for two weeks and receive unemployment benefits for two weeks, you will then receive two weeks of FPUC payments together the following week.
I'm not usually eligible for UC but am now eligible because of expansions to UC. Do I get the extra $300 a week?
Yes, all individuals who are eligible and receive regular UC, PEUC, EB, or PUA will receive the $300 FPUC payment.
Will the extra $300 a week affect my eligibility for public assistance programs?
The extra $300 FPUC per week will not affect eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, or SNAP.
We are still awaiting guidance on any effects FPUC may have on other forms of public assistance, including TANF.
Child support is deductible from FPUC payments.
How long will the extra $300 a week be available?
Once implemented, the $300 FPUC payments will be backdated to all eligible weeks for which individuals claim UC, PEUC, EB, or PUA beginning the week ending January 2, 2021, and will be paid for all eligible weeks claimed through the week ending March 13, 2021.
My job reduced my hours and I am collecting UC or will be filing for UC. Am I eligible for the extra $300 a week?
Yes. All individuals collecting regular UC, PEUC, EB, or PUA are eligible for $300 per week.
My employer offered me my job back, but I would make more staying on Unemployment. Can I do this?
No. If you are offered work by your employer and refuse to accept it, without good cause, you may no longer be eligible for UC. Determining whether there was good cause for a refusal of work is driven by the facts of each claimant’s circumstances. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, if an employee refuses to return to work because he or she is at high risk of complications from the virus and the employer cannot make reasonable accommodations, or if the employee is being asked to return to work at reduced hours that result in the employee earning less than he or she did before the pandemic, UC staff would review those specific reasons and make determinations based on the facts of their individual cases.
If you do return to work at reduced hours, and this results in a reduced weekly income compared to your weekly income prior to filing for UC, you may be eligible for partial UC plus the $300 in FPUC per week.
Do I have to pay taxes on the extra $300?
Yes, FPUC is taxable and will be subject to 10% Federal Withholding Tax, if you elected to have taxes withheld from your regular UC or PUA benefits. For information about changing your election visit our Taxes on Benefits page.