Applying for Unemployment, PUA and other benefits

[gypsey]

Perhaps someone up to date with the state government's program to provide undocumented workers with UI or stimulus payments could describe here how the program works? Thanks

Exactly right. If you aren't getting enhanced unemployment or even the $1200 stimulus because you are undocumented. Sheltering in place = starving in place.

[podfish]

Yes, Covid has barely had an impact on Sonoma County (and really not all that much of one even in SF). If you want perspective on what it has done other places take a look at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...s-history.html.

oh, it's having quite an impact, just not killing as many people.

It does seem like these huge numbers aren't really being grasped by a lot of the people you see wandering around casually. Dirksen had that quote "a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking about real money". Well, when it's people, it's a dozen here, a hundred there, and pretty soon it's a real human catastrophe. Even 'only' a few percent die this year, it's as if every time you're in a crowded restaurant, or a theater, or any other gathering, you're looking at several doomed people. That's a pretty horrific image, at least to me

[gaiasophia]

I suggest contacting NBOP (North Bay Organizing Project) or Comite Vida (Comittee for Immigrant Rights) for this information, Gypsey, in regard to undocumented workers.

There is also Undocufund, that's helping.

Perhaps someone up to date with the state government's program to provide undocumented workers with UI or stimulus payments could describe here how the program works? Thanks

[gypsey]

Thanks for sharing. I wanted our readers (including the naysayers I responded to) to know that California is providing resources during the pandemic for undocumented workers. I should have thought of this myself before I responded yesterday, but a quick google showed info available at ca.gov including cdss (california dept. of social services) as well as Catholic charities etc. If someone more internet friendly than I could cut and paste and post it could be a help.

I suggest contacting NBOP...

[gaiasophia]

However, in regard to your post:
gypsey wrote:

"Perhaps someone up to date with the state government's program to provide undocumented workers with UI or stimulus payments could describe here how the program works? Thanks"

Sadly, I'm almost certain there are absolutely no state government program for undocumented workers.

Also, the suggestions I gave you, are not wealthy by any means, so probably can't help as much as is needed.

And even as a U.S. citizen, I am finding it nearly impossible to reach/apply for the pandemic unemployment for self employed people.

Divided we fall, United we stand,
gaiasophia

[Finell]

I do not understand what difficulty you could be having in applying for COVID-19 unemployment benefits as a self-employed person. My wife and I are self-employed. We each successfully applied for and received the benefits, which are paid periodically. We chose to have the funds automatically transferred to our respective personal checking accounts.

These are the steps:

1. Go to https://portal.edd.ca.gov/
2. If you are already registered to use the CA Employment Development Department programs online, log in. (Be sure to click the I'm not a robot box.) If you are not already registered, click the Register button to register.
3. When you reach the Benefit Programs Online page, click the UI Online button.
4. On the UI Online page, click the File New Claim button.
5. On the next page, read all the instructions carefully. I suggest printing out the instructions. Be sure you have all the documents and information that the instructions require before proceeding.
6. Answer all the questions on the succeeding pages and, when everything is complete, submit the claim.

Even after you submit your claim, you must certify your continued unemployment for each week.

And even as a U.S. citizen, I am finding it nearly impossible to reach/apply for the pandemic unemployment for self employed people.

[gypsey]

In regard to my post: I am sorry but you are mistaken. Just do a google and a brief description of the program for undocumented workers will pop up. For more info re the California state program. Just go to ca.gov or ca.gov/cdss.

Regarding applying for pandemic unemployment assistance, most folks I know, including myself, found applying for it and receiving it to be a relatively efficient process. I got there by googling California PUA and it took me to UI online's description of benefits and how to apply. In addition to their FAQs there are You Tube videos also. The whole thing from initial application took a total of two weeks from applying to receiving my debit card loaded with 10 weeks retroactive benefits. After that, you certify every two weeks and receive those benefits on your debit card within a day or 2. Personally I'm impressed with the program and how fast it all went. I am writing this to encourage those gig workers or self-employers/independent contractors to apply.

However, in regard to your post:

Perhaps someone up to date with the state government's program to provide undocumented workers with UI or stimulus payments could describe here how the program works? Thanks

Sadly, I'm almost certain there are absolutely no state government program for undocumented workers.

Also, the suggestions I gave you, are not wealthy by any means, so probably can't help as much as is needed.

And even as a U.S. citizen, I am finding it nearly impossible to reach/apply for the pandemic unemployment for self employed people.

Divided we fall, United we stand,
gaiasophia

[gaiasophia]

Thanks to Gypsey and Finell who outlined etc., the steps re: applying for unemployment benefits.

I appreciate you for trying to help, and I'm thankful the process went easily for you, Gypsey and Finnell.

However, it's not that I don't understand the process.

My experience (and many others )involves the website crashing when I'm in the middle of filling out application (the only time my computer has ever crashed!); error messages appearing, and more.

Waiting to get thru to actually talk to someone about it, sometimes for hours, only to hear that they are too busy and that I should call back. This is especially true for the "specialist" phone number (the specialist 800 # as opposed to 833# the covid line).

Yesterday I finally reached a live person thru the phone # you're supposed to call re: pandemic UI (Unemployment Insurance). I've been trying to get thru on that same phone #, and called so many times, since the announcement that we self employed folks will be eligible.

Turns out the folks who answer, only answer questions, have no power to "fix" whatever problem are involved, and aren't really supposed to check into our individual cases.

However, the nice guy I spoke with did something he wasn't supposed to, and checked into my case.

Turns out error messages kept appearing for him too, and the best he could tell was that they were saying I'd given an incorrect email address, but --- when he told me the email address they had, it was my correct email address!

I asked him, almost begged the poor guy, if he could fix it or if I could just somehow send them the email address again or in some way correct it myself...

Nope! He doesn't have that power.

(After I got off phone with him, I tried anyway. I've tried to change my password so I can into my account; it will say that a new code was just sent to my email address; but those emails with the passcode never arrive.

He contacted a "specialist" for me, who would have the power to fix it.
The specialist will contact me within 2-3 weeks, and if I miss the call, they'll try once more, within the following 2-3 weeks.

Then, if that works, the payment won't go out for (I can't recall how long,) I was kind to him and I was understandably upset and frustrated.
As I said to him, he'd done everything he could, and I appreciated his help.

I've heard from folks whose UI benefits have suddenly stopped for no reason.
When they get through to someone on phone, the same thing happens (person has no power to fix/ can't tell wazzup, referred to specialist whose supposed to call them within 2-3 weeks, but some folks said it had been more than a month and they never heard from the specialist at all...

I could write more, but it depresses me and I'd rather take whatever action I can to pull my life together.

Just writing to share this info, in case it helps others to know they are not alone, if they're have these kinds of difficulties.

I'd thought, that when I reached a real live person, after months of trying, that would take care of it.

Thanks again, Finell and gypsey, for trying to help!

[wisewomn]

Try this link, Gypsey:

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesource.../covid-19-drai

I believe each immigrant gets a one-time payment of $500, but I may misremember the exact amount.

[gypsey]

I am sorry you are having trouble, and you may already have tried these steps: Unless you use google Chrome and follow the instructions re issues re Javascript this will happen b/c you need to update your browser.. Technical help at EDD.gov (google) will provide the steps.

Also apparently re the error messages, the UI FAQS under "passwords and security" discuss how to handle this.

Be sure too, to set yourself up for email alerts and cell phone alerts. Trying to contact a real person is problematic b/c they aren't necessarily trained to help with tech issues. Also I'm told that EDD is very short staffed though trying to hire more people now.

As for your friends whose payments have stopped for no apparent reason, a few reasons are listed in the FAQs including common mistakes and of course just forgetting to certify or checking "yes" when the answer is "no"..
Any way, good luck getting your issues resolved. I hope this info is helpful if not to you then to others on this site.

...Thanks to gypsey and Finnall who outlined etc., the steps re: applying for unemployment benefits....

[rossmen]

We all have our own talents, and clearly dealing with bureaucracy is one of yours. My intention is admiration, since i struggle with this more than you. I applied, like months ago, and have received zilch. Perhaps you could try to understand? Free advice is lesser than questions when it comes to understanding, though it does take more time.

[SIZE=3I do not understand what difficulty you could be having in applying for COVID-19 unemployment benefits as a self-employed person. ...[/SIZE]

[gypsey]

It's $1000

Try this link, Gypsey:

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesource.../covid-19-drai

I believe each immigrant gets a one-time payment of $500, but I may misremember the exact amount.

[gypsey]

You replied to another poster, but I want to encourage you to try to get the benefits you deserve. As I see it, it is not a function of bureaucracy but a function of whether your browser is properly updated and you are using Chrome. The EDD site and googles do provide lots of guidance. Please check my earlier post and see if it helps.

BTW I am not at all tech talented. I got lucky that my browser was already updated and my work as a researcher meant I knew how to search when problems occurred. Best of luck. I hope everyone who deserves these benefits gets them!

... I applied, like months ago, and have received zilch. ...

[Finell]

I'm sorry that my response did not help you. Perhaps others will find the outline of steps useful—although at this late date, probably not.

Thanks to Gypsey and Finell who outlined etc., the steps re: applying for unemployment benefits.

[Finell]

In war, declared or undeclared, the numbers are closer to 10's of thousands, 100's of thousands, and millions.

...Well, when it's people, it's a dozen here, a hundred there, and pretty soon it's a real human catastrophe....

[gaiasophia]

Thanks so much for trying though!
And I do think there's a possability that yr info will be helpful to others.
Kindly,
dusty

I'm sorry that my response did not help you. Perhaps others will find the outline of steps useful—although at this late date, probably not.

[Barry]

Legal Aid of Sonoma County COVID 19 Disaster Team Services may be able help:

Expand

[gypsey]

It's not too late.Payments are retroactive.

I'm sorry that my response did not help you. Perhaps others will find the outline of steps useful—although at this late date, probably not.