PHOENIX – On May 11, the Arizona Department of Economic Security announced the launch of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. On May 12, the Department announced the launch has been temporarily delayed
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for individuals who were previously ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, including self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers.
DES is expected to mail checks 165,000 individuals who filed an initial claim for benefits between February 2, 2020, and May 2, 2020, and did not meet the criteria for regular UI, but do meet the eligibility criteria for PUA. These individuals will receive an initial payment representing the minimum PUA benefit amount ($117 per week) plus the additional $600 in weekly benefits
added by the CARES Act. These first payments will include three-weeks’ worth of benefits.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance launch has been temporarily delayed. We expect it to be live shortly. Please check back for updates. We appreciate your patience.
— AzDES (@ArizonaDES) May 13, 2020