With coronavirus cases all over the US surging and many cities reimposing restrictions, the United States job crisis seems to be far from over. Each week, over a million new claims for unemployment are filed in the U.S, even as the extra $600 per week in benefits from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is set to expire in a matter of days. As the crisis drags on, some workers who were laid off at the start of the pandemic may be exhausting their state unemployment benefits, especially since some states only offer a few months.

But the good news is that thanks to a provision called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act, workers are eligible for months more of unemployment. If your state benefits are expiring, you can get more help. You’ll just have to reapply for unemployment—and may face some delays. Read on to learn more about the PEUC program and how you can extend your unemployment benefits!

How Can I Extend My Unemployment?

• PEUC, the extended unemployment benefits available due to the pandemic, are distributed by individual state unemployment agencies after unemployed workers exhaust their state benefits.
• Regular unemployment benefits vary by state. Most are available for 26 weeks, but some states are as low as 12 weeks. You can check the remaining balance of your benefits with your state unemployment office online or via phone. Find your state's office here.
• Unfortunately, state agencies do not automatically enroll you in PEUC when your benefits expire. You will need to re-enroll in unemployment benefits in order to access them.
• You should keep track of when your benefits will expire, and make a note to re-apply so you can receive PEUC. PEUC is available until the end of the year, so you still have plenty of time to access it.
• Once you apply, you may have a delay before your PEUC arrives, as about 850,000 applications are currently pending.

How Long Does PEUC Last?

PEUC lasts thirteen weeks from whenever your state’s unemployment benefits expire. Some states are offering extended unemployment benefits of their own, so you may be able to receive benefits for nearly a year. You can check with your state’s unemployment office to see local policies: find your state here.

How Much Will PEUC Be?

PEUC is pegged to match state unemployment benefits, so you’ll receive the same amount as you’ve been getting from your state. Most states pay about 40-50% of workers’ income on unemployment; the average American receives about $380 a week in unemployment benefits.  

Final Thoughts

With many people’s regular unemployment benefits expiring in the midst of rising coronavirus cases, American workers are in need of further relief. Luckily, PEUC can offer you a few months of reprieve. You’ll just have to apply for unemployment benefits again to access it, and deal with some delays due to overwhelming applications (you can track unemployment progress in your state here). But for workers who are laid off with no return to work in sight, the program could be a lifeline.

More Unemployment Coverage

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📌 Losing a job doesn't have to mean losing healthcare: check out our COBRA health insurance guide.

📌 Track unemployment progress in your state with our free tracker.