03/30/2020
Please review and keep up today on what is available to aid you thru this unprecedented time.
*** Update - March 29, 2020 at 12:50 pm ***
The CARES Act has been signed into law, but those benefits are not yet available and Iowa Workforce Development is awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.
- IWD is now accepting applications for CARES Act benefits, and those claims will be processed as soon as IWD receives additional guidance.
- For those who were previously eligible and have already applied, please continue to file your weekly claim. For those who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, and gig economy workers, or requesting an extension of benefits and are not currently filing weekly claims, please submit your initial application now. You may file a claim here:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/file-claim-unemployment-insurance-benefits
-If you have already filed a claim, you do not need to take any action at this time. Please continue to check this website daily for updates. Additional information on the CARES Act can be found here:
https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/ui-extension-information
***Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: CARES Act***
This law increases the availability of unemployment insurance benefits to those that are self-employed, contract workers, those ineligible for state unemployment benefits or have exhausted benefits.
Iowa Workforce Development is in the process of preparing for the availability of these benefit programs. Due to the complexity of the program requirements this process will take time. We appreciate your patience as we work through the details.
1. Question: If I am self-employed, do I need to file a claim online for unemployment?
Answer: Yes, you will first need to file a claim online to see if you are eligible for a regular Iowa claim. After you have submitted your claim, continue to check the IWD website for updates on what additional information is needed.
2. Question: Do I need to submit an application to receive the additional $600 per week on my unemployment claim?
Answer: If you have already filed a claim that is in process or have filed a claim and are currently being paid, you do not need to take any action to receive the additional $600 per week. As USDOL provides guidance on those payments, you will be issued those payments as they become available.
3. Question: I was receiving unemployment through last week and my benefits have exhausted. I am still within my benefit year and was told I can’t file again until my claim expires. Do I need to refile a new claim to receive the additional money that was passed in legislation for the CARES Act?
Answer: No, you do not need to file a new application. When the extended benefits are available, additional information will be posted on our website. All claimants that exhausted benefits after 02/02/20 or the first week an individual is out of work due to COVID-19, whichever is later, will be processed for the extended benefits.
As the effective dates of the programs are determined, please know that if you are eligible for back weeks of unemployment benefits on one of these federal programs, we will work with you to make those changes as allowed by state and federal law.