Previous Story
DOL yet to get clarification from USDOL on PUA eligibility
The CNMI Department of Labor has yet to receive confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor on whether the CNMI is exempted from the new eligibility guidelines that includes disqualifying those working on reduced hours from receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
In a WhatsApp response from DOL Secretary Vicky Benavente, she said CNMI DOL has yet to hold a conference with USDOL and they are still awaiting confirmation on the eligibility requirements.
In a recent webinar conducted by USDOL, CNMI DOL learned that individuals who are not fully unemployed as a result of the pandemic may not qualify for PUA. In other words, claimants who work on reduced hours as a result of the pandemic may not qualify for PUA.
According to USDOL, an individual who is working reduced hours while his or her place of employment continues to operate does not satisfy the conditions to self-certify as evidence of the eligibility shift.
CNMI DOL said in a press release that the most prominent change to the PUA program, in relation to eligibility conditions, is the requirement for all claimants to provide documentation substantiating employment or self-employment, or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment.
Individuals filing a new PUA application on or after Jan. 31, 2021, regardless of whether the claim is backdated, are required to provide documentation within 21 days of the application or the date the individual is directed to submit the documentation by CNMI DOL.
Individuals who applied for PUA before Jan. 31, 2021, and receive a payment of PUA on or after Dec. 27, 2020 (regardless of which week ending date is being paid), are required to provide documentation substantiating employment or self-employment, or the planned commencement of employment or self-employment, within 90 days of the application or when directed to submit documentation by CNMI DOL.
