Last day to apply for PUA and FPUC is Dec. 26

The CNMI Department of Labor is reminding the public that Dec. 26, 2020, is the last day it will be accepting applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation assistance.

Who can apply for PUA/FPUC?

PUA and FPUC are available to citizens of the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, the CNMI, Guam, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and qualified aliens who reside and work in the CNMI who became unemployed, unable to work, or not available to work as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Individuals who are self-employed, those seeking part-time employment, or individuals who were about to start a job but could not begin work because of COVID-19 are also eligible for PUA and FPUC.

A list of acceptable COVID-19 related reasons to qualify for PUA are as follows:

• The individual has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis;

• A member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;

• The individual is providing care for a family member or a member of the individual’s household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;

• A child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for the individual to work;

• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency;

• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because the individual has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;

• The individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency;

• The individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19;

• The individual has to quit his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19;

• The individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency; or

• The individual is an independent contractor who is unemployed (totally or partially) or is unable or unavailable to work because of the COVID-19 public health emergency has severely limited his or her ability to continue performing the customary job.

Individuals who wish to receive PUA benefits must provide proof of identity and demonstrate their status as U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or qualified aliens. This is irrespective of territory law eligibility criteria for regular unemployment benefits.

Qualified aliens include:

• Legal permanent resident (“green card” holder)

• An asylee, refugee, or an alien whose deportation is being withheld

• Alien paroled into the U.S. for at least one year

• Alien granted conditional entry (per law in effect prior to April 1, 1980)

• Cuban/Haitian entrant

• Aliens in the U.S. who have been abused, subject to battery or extreme cruelty by a spouse or other family/household member, or have been a victim of a severe form of human trafficking

• Aliens whose children have been abused and alien children whose parent has been abused who fit certain criteria

Application filing dates

Individuals may apply for PUA if they have had a week(s) of unemployment on or after Feb. 2, 2020, through Dec. 26, 2020, as a result of COVID-19. PUA is available for individuals who have lost their jobs, had their regular work hours reduced, or were self-employed individuals but are no longer able to work as a direct result of COVID-19. Individuals may file applications for PUA from the date the first public CNMI DOL announcement, issued on June 10, 2020, through Dec. 26, 2020.

How and where to apply

Claimants may apply for PUA either online or in person. Submit a PUA application online at the following address: www.hiremarianas.com.

PUA applications and other forms may also be obtained and submitted at either of the following location(s):

SAIPAN:
CNMI Department of Labor
Division of Employment Services
Building # 1334, Ascencion Dr.
Capitol Hill, Saipan MP 96950

ROTA:
Sinapalo Youth Center
Sinapalo 1
Rota, MP 96951

TINIAN:
Edu’s Plaza, 1st Floor
San Jose Village
Tinian, MP 96952

or
Tinian Public Library
San Jose Village
Tinian, MP 96952

General program inquiries

Individuals who have questions about the PUA/FPUC programs are encouraged to contact the CNMI DOL via email at info@puamarianas.com or call the following numbers between 8am and 4pm, Monday – Friday: 322-8870, 322-8872, 322-8874, 322-8877, 322-8879, 322-8871, 322-8873, 322-8876, 322-8878, 322-8880.

Required documents

To receive PUA, individuals must submit in-person or upload online the following:

• A government issued picture identification (Driver’s license, passport, alien registration card, etc.)

• Social Security card number

• If applicable, copies of the most recent federal income tax form(s), check stubs, and other proof of earnings

• If applicable, evidence of self-employment earnings, business license, including financial documents such as 2017 federal/CNMI income tax forms, profit and loss statement, and proof of business loss due to the disaster.

Individuals must provide proof of identity and citizenship (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualified alien) and proof that they are legally authorized to work in CNMI. If it is later discovered that an individual is not a qualified alien and/or is not authorized to work due to a false statement made by the individual, any PUA paid will be overpaid. PUA payments are not subject to any waiver provisions and, therefore, any overpayments established must be repaid in full.

Further information

Individuals who are determined eligible for PUA must file weekly claim certifications (to demonstrate their continued eligibility) either in person or online by using any of the filing methods described above. Individuals who file a PUA claim will receive information about their benefit rights and responsibilities. To remain eligible for PUA, individuals must continue to meet all eligibility requirements and conditions found in the PUA/FPUC Benefits Rights Information Handbook. Continued eligibility is determined on a week-by-week basis.

Individuals who willfully conceal material facts or knowingly making false statement(s) to obtain PUA to which they are not entitled will be required to repay all benefits fraudulently collected and may be

Fraud hotline

Individuals are encouraged to call 670-989-9095 to report any perceived instances of wrongdoing or fraud pertaining to PUA/FPUC. (PR)