PUA Opens for Illinois
Hello fellow solopreneurs & IEC supporters! Today is a big day for Illinois unemployment insurance: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is now available for application:
You must apply for regular IDES benefits, and receive a determination of $0.00 of benefits, to apply. This is a non-negotiable, so, unfortunately if you have not done that, you will need to get on top of that right away as it may be a few weeks before you can apply for PUA.
You need to sign up for, and do a “quick” resume through IllinoisJobLink.com - this is also a requirement of the IDES unemployment program.
Make sure you set up direct deposit on the IDES main website first. This will save you time and hassle later, as the debit card they offer has restrictions.
You will need your tax documents, State ID, and your social security number handy. 2019 is preferable, but if you have 2018 handy, that works too (stay tuned for confirmation of this - see point 7)
Visit the IDES website and click on the top left photo that says "file an unemployment claim," or you can click the link attached below.
You will need to type up, in the application, a little "blurb" about why you are requesting PUA. Make a point to state multiple times that your business was directly affected by COVID-19, and don’t be afraid to support that with data from your business losses.
There is still no guidance on tax documents. The portal talks about 2019 tax docs, but, there is an option to say you haven't filed your most recent documents. On the confirmation email received, it stated other language for both 2018 & 2019. In any case, some are uploading 2018 1040 Schedule C, 1040, etc., to the portal, after completing the application.
Make sure you check your email shortly after submission. IDES sends an email confirmation - you must click that link or your claim will not go through!
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available - IEC is reaching out to get more guidance from IDES!