Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Program Extended - NOW AVAILABLE
PUA Overview
PUA is unemployment assistance for the self-employed, contractor, gig worker, those who file a 1099, individuals who are ineligible for any other state or federal unemployment benefits and who are unemployed, unable to work or unavailable to work as a direct result of COVID-19.
The federal extension signed into law at the end of 2020, allows for 11 additional weeks of benefits under the PUA program. This means instead of 39 weeks of PUA, eligible claimants may receive up to 50 weeks of PUA total.
The federal PUA extension is now available in South Carolina. Claimants found eligible for weeks dating back to January 2, 2021, will also receive the supplemental $300 per week for the duration of the FPUC program.
There is a new documentation requirement for PUA claimants. See that section below.
PUA Eligibility
New Filers: If you have been deemed monetarily ineligible for regular state Unemployment Insurance (UI), it may be because you filed your claim as self-employed, contractor, gig worker or someone who files a 1099. Please understand that the funding for which you may be eligible does not come from state resources. What that means is, you will receive notification that you have been denied state unemployment insurance benefits.
The number of weeks for an individual on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program has increased from a previous total of 39 weeks to 50 weeks, per the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act.
PUA Payments
- Payment Amount: The Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) you will be eligible to receive will be displayed on your portal homepage. It can range from $131 - $326 per week.
- Duration of PUA program under new federal extension:
- First Payable Week: Retroactive to claim week ending January 2, 2021.
- Last Payable Week: Claim week ending March 13, 2021.
PUA Application Process
New Filers: If you have not filed for unemployment insurance, feel free to visit our Apply for Benefits page to walk you through the process or go directly to the MyBenefits Portal to begin.
If you are found eligible for benefits, you may receive your payment within 7-14 days, but for more complex claims it could take up to 21 days to process and receive payment.
NEW DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT FOR PUA CLAIMANTS
Please be advised that if you filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), you may have received a letter requesting documentation. The Continued Assistance Act requires that any PUA claimant who filed before January 31, 2021 and received payment on or after December 27, 2020, have 90 calendar days from the date on the letter from DEW to provide the required documentation to the agency.
PUA claimants who filed a claim on or after January 31, 2021 have 21 calendar days from the date on the letter from DEW to provide the required documentation to the agency.
What documents are acceptable proof of employment?
Proof of employment includes, but is not limited to: W-2 forms, paycheck stubs and earnings, leave statements that show the employer’s name and address.
Proof of employment with organizations such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and educational or religious organizations includes, but is not limited to: documentation from the organizations or signed affidavits verifying your attachment to such organizations.
Proof of self-employment includes, but is not limited to: state or federal tax returns, state or federal employer identification numbers, business licenses, business receipts, signed affidavits verifying the self-employment.
For individuals who obtained work but were not able to start the job, also known as planned commencement of employment, you can provide a letter from the company offering the work or a signed affidavit verifying the offer of employment.
For individuals who were starting self-employment but were not able to, also known as planned commencement of self-employment, you can provide a business letter, state or federal employer identification numbers, a written business plan or a lease agreement.
How do I submit the documentation to the agency?
To upload your documents to the benefits portal, log in and click the My Documents tab. From there, select the Notice ID that is displayed on the upper right corner to complete the upload.
You may also mail a copy of your documentation to:
SC DEW
P.O. Box 1477
Columbia SC 29202.
If you mail your documentation, please include a copy of the document that was sent to you through the MyBenefits portal as it will provide the claimant ID that correlates to the documents.
How do I know if this document requirements applies to me?
If you are a PUA claimant and received the documentation notice in your MyBenefits portal, you should submit the required documentation within the indicated timeline through your portal or by mail, unless you have had other communication with the agency that confirms we have already received your documents.
Additional PUA Resources
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ
NEW Weekly Certification Question Added for PUA Claimants
If you need assistance applying for benefits, claims representatives are available at 1-866-831-1724.