Alabama Unemployment (ADOL) – $300 FPUC, PEUC and PUA – 2021 Federal Extensions Ending Early – News and Updates Including Payment and Claim Issues

The Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) manages the state’s unemployment administration systems which covers standard and enhanced unemployment payments. You can see the updates below for the latest news on processing of the various unemployment programs that are currently in place for local residents and jobless workers.

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Alabamans To Lose Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Early – Including $300 Weekly Benefit

Following strong job reports and state wide labor shortages that risk the ongoing economic recovery, Governor Kay Ivey announced that Alabama will end its participation in ALL federally funded pandemic unemployment programs effective the week ending June 19, 2021.

This covers the PUA, PEUC, $300 FPUC and $100 MEUC programs extended under the Biden ARPA stimulus bill discussed below. This action follows actions by several other states that are also ending federally funded pandemic unemployment programs early in order to incentivize workers to return to work. Opponents to this moved had argued that the reason people were not going back to work is due to fears around getting COVID and/or child care constraints.

I will post additional updates but if you see your benefits stopping after June 19th (from week of June 20th) then this will likely be the reason why. Unemployed workers who cannot get a job will then need to rely on traditional state unemployment benefits going forward. PUA claimants in particular are expected to be hard hit by this early end to unemployment benefits (see a discussion on this here).

You can leave your reactions in the comments forum below this article and follow along via the options below.

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Biden Stimulus Bill – 2021 Unemployment Program Extensions

Under President Biden’s $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), enhanced unemployment benefits have been extended until September 6th. This includes further extensions to the PUA programPEUC program, $300 weekly payment under the FPUC program and $100 Mixed Earners (MEUC) program. There were also provisions in the Biden Stimulus package for Unemployment tax breaks on the first $10,200 of benefits received in 2020.

Latest News and Status on PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC Extensions – Payment and Claim Issues

The Federal Department of Labor (DOL) has now issued formal guidelines to implement the latest round of extensions until September 6th. For those who exhaust their benefits, or have a zero claim balance, after March 14th (when current CAA extensions end) there could be a lapse in benefits as states can update their program/systems to enable the extended weeks of coverage funded under the ARP Program

ADOL has begun processing ARP Extended Benefits and Additional $300 Weekly Benefit from March 19th, 2021. No actions is needed for eligible claimants and payments should start from the week of March 29th. The extensions and additional payment are being added to eligible weeks beginning with week-ending 4/20/21.

“As with previous extensions of pandemic related unemployment benefits, Alabama has been able to respond quickly with little to no delay in payments to those who need them,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Modernizing our system in early January 2020 has certainly helped us to be able to achieve these goals. Alabama had the extensions implemented within three days of receiving guidance from USDOL.”

Despite official guidance, there have been several claimants reporting issues with getting timely payments. This includes this recent comment from Michelle,

Hi, I am so VERY confused & frustrated. Everything I’ve researched on Alabama DOL, they have had there systems updated to transition over for the “American Rescue Plan” when it was to start March 15th (w/e March 20th). Yet, My last payment I received was on 04/06/21 for w/e 04/03/21 on PEUC. I went in to file my weekly claim the next Sunday and all my monies were gone. It said I had no claim on file and to file a new claim. Why did my PEUC not extend over through the ARP? It was supposed to unless I’m completely stupid and missing something (and I’m not STUPID!) I received a letter from AL DOL stating all my benefits will expire with the current program on March 14, 2021 and I can possible collect PUA if eligible for the phase out period till w/e April 10, 2021. There’s no mention of the new relief plan “ARP”. Just to find a job or call for an appointment to talk with the UC claimant line. What do these people not understand?? I’ve worked all my life! I have the credits to retire yet I’m not at retirement age. It’s my money! Our country & government is a joke! PLEASE HELP!!!! This is the last thing I want to deal with but I have bills to pay!

While the extensions are in place, the issue above is likely due to Michelle reaching her benefit year end date (BYE). This means she would likely have to file a new claim and the ADOL will assess if she is eligible for regular unemployment or PEUC. If now, then she will be able to get PUA (assuming job loss reason or unable to go back due to COVID). Additional documentation etc would need to be provided to substantiate the PUA claim, which is likely the cause of delays in her situation.

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Alabama Now Paying 2021 Unemployment Program Extensions (PUA, PEUC and FPUC) Under COVID Relief Bill

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package was passed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, which among several other pandemic relief measures extends and provides additional federal funding for enhanced unemployment benefits. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and a reinstatement, but halving of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program which provides a $300 supplemental weekly unemployment payment.

These programs have been funded and extended for 11 weeks (on top of any state funded extensions), covering the weeks of December 27th, 2020 to April 5th, 2021 (no new claims after March 14th, 2021). To receive the extra $300 FPUC weekly benefits, you must be receiving regular UI, PEUC, EB, or PUA.

Update January 6th, 2021: ADOL announced it has began processing payments for the CARES Act extensions provided for in the recently enacted H.R. 133, including the additional $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payment. Claimants who are eligible for these payments will need to take no action other than continuing to file their weekly certifications. ADOL began processing these changes on Tuesday, January 5, and claimants should expect to see payments as soon as this week, depending on their bank’s policies. It was one of the first states to start paying all claimants benefits under the 2021 extended coverage period.

“ADOL worked quickly to implement these new legislative changes, in order to get this aid to struggling Alabamians as fast as possible,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Guidance was received from USDOL on Friday, January 1, and funding was received by Monday, January 4, so in all, ADOL was able to get funds out within five days.”

Final guidelines on these programs and final eligibility including additional document verification procedures to combat Fraud have been issued by the Department of Labor and are being rolled out by ADOL in their systems and programs. The following are updates that have been made per recent news.

UI claimants with existing or expired claim balances should be aware of the following general guidelines:

  • PUA and PEUC, FPUC will be automatically added to the claimants’ benefits if they are eligible for the weeks outlined in the new legislation.
  • Claimants who will have additional weeks in UI and PUA or PEUC due to state provisions (where applicable) should watch their state agency UI portal or website for updates that will allow additional weeks to be filed (see potential scenarios where you need to take action to get benefits under the new extension)
  • Claimants with weeks remaining in UI should continue to file weekly claims if their state UI systems have been updated for the extended coverage period.
  • Claimants will receive retroactive payments for all weeks they are eligible.
  • Claimants currently receiving benefits through the Extended Benefits program must finish all weeks of EB before receiving additional weeks of PEUC.

I will post additional details as they are released in coming days. So stay tuned for updates.


Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program – Now Complete

Alabama has completed paying out the $300 weekly payment under the LWA program, which provides supplemental payments to eligible unemployment benefits claimants who have been unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. They must all be getting over $100 from existing unemployment programs to qualify for this payment.

The ADOL has said they have made all 6 weeks of approved payments by the end of September, with some retroactive payments pending due to various claim issues. All payments will be retroactive to August 1st for the 6 weeks (or $1800) of approved funding (see latest payout date table).

COVID 19 Enhanced Benefits Under CARES Act

Under the CARES act, there are three types of federal unemployment assistance now available:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): expands eligibility for individuals who are typically ineligible for
Unemployment benefits, for example independent contractors, and self-employed and “gig” workers.
• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): provides an additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits, to all recipients of Unemployment Insurance; retroactive to the week ending April 4, 2020. [Now Expired]
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): provides an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment benefits to all recipients.

High unemployment amid COVID-19 has also triggered 13 weeks of extended benefits the state is permitted by federal law to offer to those who have exhausted all other state and federal unemployment aid without returning to work permanently

Useful Resources for Claimants

File A Claim if you are unemployed or partially employed and need to file an Alabama Initial Claim, get started here. It’s easy, fast and secure.

Contacts For Claimants – Contact us if you have questions about your claim

Claims & Benefits FAQ – Questions and answers to help you better understand the claim process and become familiar with the terminology.

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22 thoughts on “Alabama Unemployment (ADOL) – $300 FPUC, PEUC and PUA – 2021 Federal Extensions Ending Early – News and Updates Including Payment and Claim Issues”

  1. I hope the governor is proud of her self she has hurt Alabamians ! She took money allotted to us and signed into law because there were restaurant workers needed! So she would go take a restaurant job after working your whole life learning a trade and make half the money! They all forget who they work for state and government! We all need to get together and file a class action lawsuit against the state and government for the pain and suffering for not only us but our families! They cut me off then told me to call in I called at 5:03 and said all appointments were full how do you fill the appointments in three minutes ? Our governor is not sitting wondering how she is going to pay her bill’s or get thrown out in the street! They owe me 11 weeks and told me to show were I worked in 2019 I did two weeks ago still nothing!

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  2. Same with the pending issue on my claim!

    I haven’t received a payment in 8 weeks, and I can’t reach anyone for Help!!!!

    Please Help!!!!

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  3. I was approved for PUA back in April 2020, had no problems filing my weekly certifications so this year April 2021 I had to file a new claim. All went well claim was good. I had no breaks in my weekly payments until May when Governor Ivey announced that Alabama would stop the federal funding on June 19. Got all my payments for April but when May rolled around all of a sudden my claim went into account being reviewed. WTH does that even mean? I’ve sent in all the information I was suppose to send more than once and even tho I filed my weekly certification every week my claim has still not been paid. That’s 8 weeks that I have certified and have yet to be paid. Would really appreciate it if someone could help with this issue. I’m not the only one with this problem, there are so many more with this very issue.

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    • I feel the same way robin I appled the first time received the back pay was unemployed, then my job called me back I am currently working only part time, and I had to reapply then I started getting unemployment lesser amount ok now I have 2 pending issues they told me what they needed I have email, faxed,over 10 times cant get thru to them if they have read any uploaded correspondence thru the PORTAL ehay haven’t the called me I lived in a motel now with my employer she knoes what I am doing working what days are available I need help to get this resolved, I can get thru the phone line and I am getting frustrated and tired of trying to get any answer on every thing I have questions on just a call back would be great

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    • I have the same problem they want proof of employment when they sent me a letter showing I did not have a job cause of covid and won’t me to send them the same thing they have on file it makes no sense. they owe me 9 weeks and want proof that they already have on file .

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      • I been filing since last July and still haven’t received one payment and can’t get hold to anyone!!

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  4. I have not had an unemployment check in 7 weeks was drawing one every week until then they say I have pending issue dont understand I try everyday to call but cant get thru please help

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  5. I have worked around students my whole life in is going to be scared to go back to work as this pandemic continues their cutting off Pua June 26th. That means I have to risk my life in getting COVID bc I have to work around students. That’s germs I pray they don’t cut off my Pua man I’m so terrified.

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  6. I don’t know why my claim is having issue of account being review and I really need to clear my bills.
    ADOL is really confusing

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  7. i was receiving pua and then one wed.morning in april i no longer get one i just wish there would of been a warning i was set to do something and now i cant i have been checking and.calling in every sunday its been 5 weeks no answer yes i thhave.called the inquiry line.every day for one month now cant get thru that is a joke why.do yall put people in these situations i know yall are very busy i also understand that i cany get an answers cause when i filed my new claim yall said i had to do the girl that took it got something wrong my mothers maiden name.is not my married name and i.cant get.anybody to.help me so pls help me im 67 ad have worked all my life and only get the smallest check on social security u can get.so pls help

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  8. I was getting unemployment benefits and they cut them off and I want to know why because I done what was supposed to do thanks if some one would let me know or call

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  9. I have been trying to get in touch with someone for almost a year now about my UNEMPLOYMENT!!!!! What is really going on here in the State of Alabama?!!!! I’m a diabetic and my insulin and other medicine is getting expensive!!! When you call the numbers that they give you it’s a recording!!!!!!! I’ve received letters stating that I am approved, but there is nothing deposited to my card yet. I even updated my unemployment in December of 2020 and I’m still waiting for a response!! So if what am I to do?

    Reply
    • This seems very strange as ADOL is paying claims. Did you provided required ID verification and documentation to substantiate your PUA claim? See the article for details you need to provide.

      If you cannot get hold of a live rep then consider talking to your local government representative to get some assistance.

      Reply
      • This entire pua thing is a big joke! I filed the beginning of February and have not gotten paid a penny it says my claim is active and in Pay status but yet I’ve not gotten anything. I’ve 3 separate times sent them copies of past check stubs to prove that I am self employed and have even gotten a letter from department of revenue stating that I had 10 days to pay on my 2019 back taxes from the check stubs I sent in to ADOL. That they were going to hit my bank account and take my belongings if I didn’t pay the amount shown within 10 days. The only way they could determine a amount is from my earnings which I only sent to ADOL for my pua claim. They said that they never received the copies? So they are going to fine me and take what very little I have left knowing that I’m not working and why but have yet as of July paid me any of my benefits and can’t send me a letter or give me a call and tell me what I need to clear up now? I am sad to say that that’s not being very helpful and surely not looking out for your citizens in the most painful time in their lives. It’s more like kicking a man when he is down and not giving him what the president of the United States said he was entitled to. I’m 49 yrs old been a sub contractor my entire life and didn’t know anything about this pua until the end of January 2021 and filed the first of February. I’ve lost 2 vehicles my boat and will be losing my home i built myself at the end of the month if I don’t get my benefits and I can’t get through to talk to anyone about it. If that is what you call help I don’t think you paid attention in school. You call to get a phone appointment for the next day but they tell you they may call from 7-5 be around your phone, a appointment is a specified time which people have agreed to meet at a place they’ve agreed to meet at! They have all of the leverage because you can’t call them or can’t go to their office and they won’t send you anything stating what they need. I even got through to get a appointment for today and guess what no phone call from ADOL and at 5:03 all appointments have been taken each day well I’m sorry but there is no way they can have already had 600 people sign up for a phone call! It’s a scam and they don’t think we deserve the money and are deliberately making it hard hoping people will just give up and them not have to pay. Don’t give up keep on until you get what the federal government gave you.

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      • I too filed 4/4/2020. Received letter denying my claim as a self employed. Few weeks later letter said approved then denied. Stopped filing weekly certs then a month later stated approved. I just gave up never could talk to anyone. Then Jan2021 files again and remember still haven’t worked any. Claim approved . After receipt two checks they changed my benefit day from Jan. 2021 to June 2020. Never received any payments for those months. Then the week before payments ended in June 2021 I had a benefit balance of over $6500. Then the following week a zero balance. So who got that money was not me. I just now finally got an appt. Was told I didn’t qualify for 2020 die to not enough credits but yet I’m approved in 2021 and still haven’t worked any. And so where is the money I should have received from June 2029 thru Dec? And where did that $6500 go ? Who got that ? I have emailed representatives and congressman just to get a call back from unemployment. And if you get through your appt time is between 7a.m until 5 p.m so you have to wait all day for a call and don’t miss it you won’t get a return call. Just ridiculous

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  10. yes i am a single father of 2 boys i have never drawed unemployment EVER OR UNTIL APRIL I STARTED TRYING TO FILE IN ALABAMA NO 1 WOULD ANSWER THE PHONE THE INTERNET WOULD KICK ME OF IT IS OCT 17 I VE FINALLY GOT APPROVED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT FOR 5 WEEKS AND IVE RECIEVED 5 PAYMENTS OF 250 WTF THAT BARELY FEEDS US WHY AM I NOT RECIEVING MY BACK PAY WTF THANKS FOR NOTHING ALABAMA WHAT ABOUT MY 6 MONTHS YALL WOULD NOT LET ANY1 FILE I VE TALKED TO AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE WITH SAME ISUES WHY R WE NOT BEING RESPONDED TOO OR COMPENSATED FOR THE MONEY WERE OWED?

    Reply
  11. I was denied regular ui in Illinois on February 23rd,2020 because I was $110.00 away from earning enough wages for eligibility in the 4th quarter, I was told if I get employed & something happens where I am laid off I could earn the $110.00 needed and to reapply by April 1st,2020. Well I found a job and was about to begin working until the pandemic shut down the employer I was set to start working for, despite all my efforts to contact this future employer (which I believed I would work for as soon as the pandemic was over). Was futile. So I filed another claim with I.D.E.S. Once I found out about the pua program, I didn’t hear anything at all until October 2nd,2020 when I.D.E.S. Sent me an email to certify for 31 weeks of pua benefits, which I completed. The next morning I received another email for me to certify for the current week, which I also completed. A few days after that I received another email asking me to upload my identification, which I also did and received a confirmation email the following day informing me that I had been successful in their identification process. Also on the pua website, when I enter my information it states that I am eligible for pua, I have a weekly amount and an amount of how much I would be receiving with back pay. Now I know it’s only October 8th,2020 but I still haven’t received payment and haven’t heard anything more about it. All the information I look up tells me that once I certify for benefits it takes 2-3 business days then I will receive my payment to the payment method I have on file with I.D.E.S. I’ve seen something that said it takes 2 weeks before 1st payment. I am stressing out and I am in very bad shape financially due to this pandemic, I want to work, and have a very strong work ethic, I have to secure some type of financial means or I will be homeless soon, I am terrified and can hardly sleep or relax in my own bed and roof over my head which is jeopardy. I can’t continue to live with this type of uncertainty. Does anyone know if I am approved and will be getting unemployment benefits for sure given the process I have just entailed? Or is this just another empty promise from our pillars that are in place in America for their good hard working citizens to at least be able to feel secure if they are willing to work to support themselves and their families. As you can see I’m very upset but I am getting physically and mentally ill dealing with this situation. If you know anything about what I have provided above please respond and let me know. Thank very much,
    Anthony V.

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    • find out who the representative for the county you live and call them they will put in a legislative ticket and your claim will get processed much quicker.Then you call and call the legislative office until you are getting the money you need and deserve.I live in Tn and that’s the only way anybody gets any help here.Good luck and don’t give up.You can even call your governor.

      Reply

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