It’s some crazy times out there. The whole situation has me and I‘m sure everyone else stressed. I know I’m doing the best that I can and that’s all that can be done. This is a bit of a brief of my experience.
I applied for the EIDL last month around the 4th of April and I’m still haven‘t recieved any money from that more than a month later (3 days they said 🙄). In between stressing out about that, I also did some research on filing for unemployment in my home state (Georgia).
I’m in a position where I am not in time sensitive need for the money but I can definitely empathize with those who are. What benefits are available are being distributed incredibly slowly. I still have yet to recieve any government money. I anticipate a month time from submitted application to money in the bank. Lots of people and small businesses can’t afford a runway like that.
Applying to Unemployment as a Self Employed Individual
The whole application process was quite confusing, but I suppose that was to be expected. The CARES act changed a lot of the previous unemployment rules, most notably allowing the self employed population to recieve benefits. I applied on April 18th. It’s a little worrying that that’s so late compared to everyone else who may have applied March even. Unfortunately the application proceess wasn’t available for the self-employed until April 14th.
The initial application process was a little awkward. I had to fill out the application about how I am an employee of myself, how I laid myself off, and leave my own contact information as my own boss. The income section is always hard for me to figure out. I haven’t really taken an official salary yet and 0 isn’t an acceptable answer. I filled it out as best I could and sent it off.
Your UI Claim Has Been Processed
It took until May 4th just for them to send me an email saying “Your UI Claim Has Been Processed”. What does that mean? Pretty much nothing. Apparently you have to attempt to claim money before the system can determine your eligibility. I had to log back in to the website just for that.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
May 6th I get an email basically saying, I am ineligible for state unemployment benefits but potentially eligible for Pandemic Employment Assistance (PAU). It was a little shocking at first. After a little bit of research, it seems like this is just the very roundabout distribution path the government has come up with.
Basically, self employed people are going to have to go through the whole state application process. They’re going to get denied specifically because they are self employed. Only then can they file for the PUA that they should qualify for. Of course, your precious runway is depleted at every step.
So all I can do now is just apply for the PUA and hope I get that. Expect an update in the next couple days.
GOT UNEMPLOYMENT
So after a lot of research, worry, and waiting around I finally recieved my first unemployment check March 13th. I had applied around the 18th so it took a little less than a month to go from submitting the first application to recieving money (still waiting for the EIDL).
It stressed me out because I wasn‘t sure I would qualify. I didn‘t make much money. I had just started the business in 2019 so I had a lot of losses and not much profit until the later part of the year. Since I still managed to get in, I assume there is no minimum income requirements. I was approved for 149 dollars + the 600 dollars. I opted to allow them to take taxes out so I ended up recieving 125 dollars + 504 dollars.
I had laid myself off around the 4th of April so I have gotten approved to recieve income for the whole period of 4/4/2020 to 7/31/2020. That means I should be recieving backpay at some point. All in all, I’m very pleased with this situation.
Thanks for reading 😃