Massachusetts Launches Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Massachusetts recently launched its Pandemic Unemployment Assistance portal, which allows independent contractors such as Realtors® to apply for unemployment benefits.

You can begin your application and access more information here: www.mass.gov/pua

Additionally, you can watch a discussion of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program on the April 20th episode of Zoomed in on Real Estate.

Important Information You Need to Know

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, (PUA) is available for self-employed individuals, independent contractors, or gig workers who have had to suspend their work because of COVID-19, or had a significant reduction in work as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis.
  
  • In cases where an individual has partial earnings, these earnings must be reported, and their weekly benefit amount may be reduced.
    

• Your social security number
• If you are not a citizen of the United States, your A Number (USCIS Number)
• Your residential address
• Your mailing address (if different from residential address)
• Your telephone number
• Your email address
• Your birth date
• Your wage records for 2019, which includes:
  • The social security number(s) and date(s) of birth for your dependent child(ren)
  • If you want to use direct deposit for payment, your bank account and routing numbers
  • 1099 forms
  • Pay stubsBank statements

• In order to qualify for benefits you must certify that you are otherwise able and available to work, but are prevented from doing so because you have been directly affected by COVID-19, or you are an individual who works as an independent contractor and the COVID-19 public health emergency has severely limited your ability to continue performing your usual work activities, and you have thereby been forced to stop performing those activities.