Note: Currently, there are no unemployment extensions available in the state of Georgia.
When you apply for Georgia unemployment, you can receive UI benefits for up to 26 weeks. But what happens when your benefits run out?
Various Georgia unemployment extensions have been available in the past to provide financial assistance to those in need during times of high unemployment. These extensions, such as the State Extended Benefits (SEB) program, were designed to offer additional weeks of support beyond the regular Georgia unemployment benefits. However, it’s important to note that currently, no unemployment extensions are being offered in the state.
In addition to the SEB program, Georgia has also participated in federal programs such as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). These programs were established to help workers who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, offering extended benefits to eligible claimants.
State Extended Benefits will return if the Georgia unemployment rate reaches 5%. Disaster Unemployment Assistance will become available when the President of the United States declares an emergency in a region.
State Extended Benefits (SEB)
In Georgia, the State Extended Benefits program has ended. SEB becomes available when Georgia’s unemployment rate goes above 5.0%.
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) ended the program on February 6, 2021 after the unemployment rate dropped below the 5.0% threshold.
State Extended Benefits are for workers who have used up their regular unemployment insurance benefits. These benefits offer extra support when a state is going through high unemployment rates. The basic Extended Benefits program can provide up to 13 additional weeks of benefits during times of extremely high unemployment.
When the program is available, claimants must have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The weekly benefit amount is the same as regular unemployment compensation. You can use the Georgia unemployment calculator to see your benefit amount.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Please note: Currently, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is currently not available in the state of Georgia.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is funded by the federal government and managed by the United States Department of Labor and Georgia State Workforce Agencies. The program was first established under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974.
DUA offers temporary financial assistance and employment services to jobless workers and self-employed individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster. If you’re not eligible for any other type of state or federal unemployment assistance, like regular unemployment insurance, Trade Readjustment Allowance, or State Extended Benefits, DUA might be an option.
A “major disaster” refers to any natural catastrophe, such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water or tidal wave, earthquake, snowstorm, drought, fire, or other similar events. For a disaster to be considered “major,” it must result in a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
When a major disaster happens, the Governor of Georgia can request a Presidential Disaster Declaration. This declaration identifies the affected areas and makes U.S. federal funding available for emergency relief, which may include DUA if needed.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is only available during the disaster assistance period. This period starts on the first Sunday after the President declares a major disaster. The date when you become eligible for DUA determines the number of weeks you can receive these benefits. Eligibility for DUA benefits is assessed weekly, so you must continuously meet the requirements to keep receiving DUA payments.
COVID Pandemic UI Benefits
Please note: All COVID-related unemployment benefits have expired and are no longer available. During the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, several programs were enacted to extend Georgia unemployment benefits.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) was a benefit program for people who wouldn’t typically qualify for unemployment assistance, like self-employed individuals, gig workers, and part-time workers who couldn’t work directly because of COVID-19. This included individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19 or instructed to quarantine.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ended in Georgia on June 27, 2021. If you had filed claims for benefits for weeks of unemployment ending before June 27, 2021, you would have received PUA benefits if you were eligible.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) extended unemployment benefits for claimants beyond the traditional 14-26 weeks. It allowed you to extend your time on unemployment when your regular benefits would have normally expired.
PEUC benefits ended in Georgia on June 27, 2021. If you have exhausted your regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, you are no longer eligible for this extension.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) was a program that provided a $300 weekly supplemental benefit for all types of unemployment assistance during the pandemic.
FPUC benefits ended in Georgia on June 27, 2021.
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)
Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) was a program that provided a $100 weekly add-on benefit for those who were eligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits but also earned self-employment income. This program aimed to help people like you who had a mix of traditional and self-employment earnings.
MEUC benefits ended in Georgia on June 27, 2021. If you had filed claims for benefits for weeks of unemployment before June 27, 2021, you would have received MEUC benefits if you were eligible.
Comments are closed.