Colorado (CO) Unemployment Benefit Payments After Enhanced Pandemic Benefits Expiry – Latest News and Updates

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) manages the Unemployment Insurance Benefits program, which includes payment and processing of the now expired federally funded enhanced unemployment programs in addition to extended state benefits as discussed below.

How Much Unemployment Can I Get Paid In Colorado?

With the expiry the pandemic unemployment programs, only traditional/regular state unemployment is available for full or partial unemployment claims. The table below provides key details on the latest unemployment benefits and qualifying wage requirements.

You will need to submit a claim or certify your application via the state’s unemployment website (see section below on filing a claim) to get your actual weekly benefit amount.

Note that to qualify for unemployment, your job or hours worked loss will generally need to be involuntary. I.e. through no fault of your own or via directly quitting. Your job and wages must also have been paid/covered by an employer or source that deducted unemployment insurance taxes per state law (see your paycheck).

Further if you are being paid severance via a layoff or able to use sick leave or paid vacation, you cannot claim unemployment. You can also only get benefits if you are unemployed or are working fewer than 32 hours a week.

You will also need to certify for benefits at regular intervals (weekly or bi-weekly), demonstrate ongoing work availability and evidence of job search requirements to keep getting weekly unemployment benefits.

Maximum Weekly Unemployment (Min to Max)$25 to $742. Actual WBA is around 55% of a persons average weekly wage over base period. There are two calculations of WBA in CO, one of which may limit your Max WBA to $675
Benefit DurationUp to 26 weeks
Minimum Qualifying Income over Base PeriodAt least $2,500
Part-Time Income or Workers – UI benefits impactYou can earn up to 50% of your WBA and still be paid your full benefit payment. After that, a 1-1 dollar reduction of earned pay to weekly benefits
CO State Unemployment Benefits Summary

Why is my weekly benefit payment lower than the maximum amount?

Your actual weekly benefit amount (WBA) is the amount of money your state agency has determined you and your dependents may receive for regular unemployment insurance after filing a claim. This can change weekly based on your certification or claim for benefits.

Your actual WBA is based on the amount that you earned (including tips) over the states pre-defined base or alternate wage period, which are generally based on four out of the last five completed calendar quarters spanning 12 to 18 months.

The higher your earnings, the higher your approved WBA will be, up to the maximum amount allowed in the state. All earnings must be subject to UI tax (covered employment) to be eligible for factoring into your benefit determination.

Any part time or temporary earnings from employment or other activities during eligible weeks you are claiming and certifying for benefits, will potentially reduce the amount of benefits you may get as shown in the table above.

Also note that that your state UI agency may deduct overpayments and court-ordered child support from your weekly payment. This will reduce your WBA.

What if I worked or lived in another state?

If you worked or lived in another state during the base year, you should file your unemployment benefits claim in the state you worked in and where your wages were reported. Not where you reside at the time of claim. You can file a claim in multiple states.

Your claim will be paid and governed by laws of that state in which you applied for. You will need to report this on your state and federal income taxes per form 1099-G issued by the state’s UI agency.

Claimants will also need to apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their benefit year.

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End of Federal Enhanced Benefits in Colorado (PUA, PEUC, $300 FPUC and $100 MEUC)

The CDLE has confirmed that claimants on the PEUC, PUA, MEUC and FPUC programs will file/certify for benefits for the last time covering the week ending September 4, 2021. Any active claims, with or without remaining balances, will expire after this date and any weeks after Sep 5th will NOT be paid.

While there has been a lot of discussion around extending pandemic unemployment benefits, the Biden administration has confirmed (see video) that states will have to use already allocated stimulus funding to expand or extend traditional state unemployment programs. State leaders and the CDLE have not indicated they are planning to do so at this stage, but I will post updates if things change.

Some claimants may be eligible for State Extended Benefits (SEB), but after September 4th all claimants must have a regular UI claim to continue receiving benefits. The state is also providing other return to work programs and financial assistance which you can find on the CDLE website.

2021 Unemployment Program Extensions 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 FPUC benefits, you must be receiving regular UI, PEUC, EB, or PUA..

Update on CO CDLE Payment Status Extra 11-weeks and Ongoing Delays for PUA and PEUC Claimants

[Feb 23rd Update] Thousands of Coloradans are still waiting for their extended benefits (which they were eligible for from end of December, when the CAA COVID relief bill was passed.. While the CDLE has said they have completed the software upgrades and implemented the 11-week extensions (across 2 phases) news and social media reports – including the many comments on this article – confirm that things are not as smooth as the CDLE says.

Phase 2 which was recently implemented means most remaining claimants can now claim the 11-weeks and get retroactively paid for past weeks. They will have to reopen or file new claims now in MyUI+ as follows:

PUA Claimants

If you have not exhausted the PUA balance on your claim, just continue to request payment each week as you normally would. Once you exhaust your original 39 weeks of PUA benefits, MyUI+ will automatically add the additional 11 weeks to your claim

If you have exhausted the PUA balance on your claim, you should see an option to reopen your claim in MyUI+ beginning on Saturday, February 20 (if there are no holds or other issues on your claim). Your claim will be automatically backdated to 12/27/20 or to the Sunday following your last certified week, whichever is later. If you have not already done so, you may first need to apply for Standard UI benefits to ensure you are not eligible for regular state
unemployment benefits

If you were previously receiving PEUC prior to 12/26/20 but have been receiving PUA benefits since Phase 1 launched on February 1, you will be switched back to PEUC.

PEUC Claimants

If you have not exhausted the PEUC balance on your claim, you do not need to take any action. MyUI+ will automatically add the additional 11 weeks.

If you have exhausted the PEUC balance on your claim, you should see an option to reopen your claim in MyUI+ beginning on Saturday, February 20 (if there are no holds or other issues on your claim). Your claim will be automatically backdated to 12/27/20 or to the Sunday following your last certified week, whichever is later

I will post additional details as they are released. So stay tuned for updates. You can also see this article for the new 24-week Biden Extension.

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[January 17th, 2021] The CDLE is only accepting and paying regular UI and EB benefits at this stage. Per their latest update that are still working on system updates for PUA, PEUC and the $300 FPUC. After that reprogramming is complete, claimants will be able to request payment for any back weeks owed. The CDLE will notify claimants when the system has been reprogrammed for the latest extensions. No action is needed for now. At this stage local media is reporting extended unemployment benefits won’t be paid until late January or early February.

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 then have to be implemented by the state UI agency in their systems and programs. So this could delay the actual date of payments.

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

  • 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.

State Unemployment Stimulus

On October 28, 2020, Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order directing the Division of Unemployment Insurance to make one-time stimulus payment of $375 to eligible Coloradans experiencing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Claimants who had a weekly benefit allowance between $25 and $500 for any week between March 15, 2020 to October 24, 2020 are eligible to receive the one-time stimulus payment.

Claimants do not need to contact the Division in order to determine their eligibility, and no action by claimants is necessary in order to receive this one-time payment. The CDLE will be directly contacting eligible claimants with more information. Payment processing will begin in early December and may occur in phases.

Extra $300 Unemployment under Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program

Colorado’s has finished paying the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) supplementary $300 per week unemployment to eligible claimants who were unemployed due to COVID-19.  Claimants whose current weekly benefit amount (WBA) was at least $100 received the additional $300 per week retroactive to the week ending August 1, 2020. Claimants received $300 per week for each of the six weeks they were eligible (period beginning July 26 and ending September 5), for a maximum total additional benefit of $1,800. The CDLE began paying payments on Sep 18th (see latest LWA State tracker).

What do I need to do to get the $300 payment

You just need to complete the required one-time certification for LWA benefits on the CDLE page. Once you’ve completed the LWA certification, no other action is required, other than continuing to request payment as you normally would. PUA claimants have already completed such a certification and do not need to do so again. See more on the CDLE LWA Page.

LWA benefits will be paid separately from your normal unemployment benefits, and may take several days to process. If you are denied for any reason, or there are no remaining Lost Wages Assistance funds available, you will be notified.

The new Lost Wages program however does cut the federal benefit ($600 FPUC) in half since the state cannot afford to boost the benefit by the additional $100 state contribution requested by Trump.

CARES Act Unemployment Compensation Enhancements for Coronavirus / COVID-19 Relief

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA, is the program that will provide unemployment benefits, up to 39 weeks, to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes gig workers, individuals who are self-employed or contract employees, those who cannot telework while obeying a shelter order, and even those who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits. It also includes workers who were directly impacted by COVID-19, such as needing to care for a child whose school is closed or a dependent who tested positive for COVID-19 (see worksheet). This benefit is retroactive to February 2, 2020.

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, or FPUC, provides $600 per week to any individual eligible for any of the Unemployment Compensation programs. This benefit begins March 29, 2020 and extends through July 25, 2020.  This additional benefit does not require a claimant to take any action, is retroactive to March 29th and will begin hitting active claimants accounts as soon as next week for weeks of unemployment prior to April 15th.  This program has now expired.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or PEUC, provides for an additional 13 weeks of benefits beyond the standard maximum of 26 weeks for traditional (regular) unemployment benefits.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced effective Monday, April 20th, it will begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), paying the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits and launch other new points of access for unemployed workers to obtain information.

The Department stood up a brand new online application system to begin taking these claims under the CARES Act. By leveraging an existing system in development, Colorado will be among the first group of states to accept applications and pay benefits. 

There are several provisions within the CARES Act that provide enhanced or extended unemployment benefits for workers.  All of these new benefits are paid for by the federal government and eligible claims will be backdated so claimants will not lose out on benefits due to the waiting period to submit an application (see below).

New claims that fall under one of the new allowed situations for unemployment under the CARES Act will be taken through a new system. Claimants will submit claims, manage their benefits and request payment through this new online system.

This includes gig workers, independent contractors, self employed and those who are out of work because of a number of reasons directly related to COVID-19 including caring for a child whose school is closed or someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Regular unemployment benefits will continue to be processed through the existing systems so anyone currently on unemployment does not need to take any action. 

A new 80-person remote call center will go live Monday, April 20th, to help manage claimant questions and overflow from the existing call center by addressing questions directly related to CARES Act benefits

Source – CO DOLE

Filing a Claim

All claims should be filed online using the following links

  • File a Regular Claim – For traditional employees in the last 18 months whose employer took taxes from your paycheck.
  • File a PUA Claim – If you were unemployed and in the last 18 months were self-employed and responsible to pay taxes on your income

You will need the following to file a claim:

  • Social Security number
  • Driver’s license or State ID number
  • Your employment for the last 18 months including for each employer:
    • Name, address, and phone number
    • First and last day of work
    • Gross earnings (before taxes are taken out) during the listed dates
    • The reason for separation
    • FEIN (this is found on any W2 or 1099 tax forms you have received)
    • If you don’t have the FEIN, you can use employer details off of a recent paystub  
    • Claims filed without correctly reporting employers may experience delays. It is important to list the correct employment information when filing your claim. If you fail to do so, your benefits may be delayed while the missing employment information is obtained

By Phone – Colorado Division of Unemployment Insurance | 303-318-9000 

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55 thoughts on “Colorado (CO) Unemployment Benefit Payments After Enhanced Pandemic Benefits Expiry – Latest News and Updates”

  1. PLEASE HELP NEED LAWYER ,
    I originally filed for The pandemic unemployment insurance on March 3rd , 2021. I have been self employed for years. I’m a
    30 + year Union Pipefitter outta Chicago’s local 597.
    2019 hit me hard and bad.
    I never knew PUA was even available for self employed guys like me. In any case.
    I’ve always earned my money by working.
    So, March 3rd 2021, I file a PUAI Claim. , Everything seemed good until April 1st 2021 came and that’s when Everything for me began to go sideways, twisted , and yes , ” DISCOMBOBULATED ”
    , I told ya , I really am from Chicago.
    Well April 1st, 2021 is when the Federal Govt. Mandated that every person who applies for benefits “HAS TO GET THEIR IDENTITY VERIFIED THROUGH THAT
    “” ID.ME “” COMPANY.
    Well, according to the Dept of Labor here in Colorado, I had to be verified through this company even though I applied on March 3rd, 2021.
    1st. Delayed Excuse, Ok , So for a whole month I’m waiting for my benefits to start coming along with my back pay which at that time was October 12, 2020.
    So, I create an account with this ID.Me place, follow the steps , now my first initial submission of documents that I provided them were based off a multiple list of approved documents , in each category.. I provided them the following:
    1. Valid State of Colorado I.D.. pics of both front and back.
    2. An Original Social Security Card.
    3. A current Bill with my Address.
    4. A bank statement from my bank . Savings & checking.
    Everything was accepted eventually that same day other than me having to take a few better pictures so the system could read them , guess they were a bit blurry or something. Anyway.
    So after about 3 weeks , haven’t heard from Dept of Labor, or this IDMe place.
    So I call the DepT of Labor.
    Well after waiting on the phone for like 2 in half hours, I finally talk to a lady who looks up my case.
    In short , They can’t move forward with anything regarding my case until I’m verified. Duhhhh. Well that’s why I’m calling. What’s is my Status, I haven’t gotten anything in the mail , texts or emails. Lady tells me I gotta call them at the IDMe place.
    Well , come to find out , Thier office is right here in Lakewood , Colorado. But it’s just that , an office building , with none there , not even a security guard. Found that out after a 2 month period of waiting for someone to contact me after submitting like 37 Complaints over 2 in a half month time period. Yeah, I went to Thier building to get a straight answer.
    Well, , A supervisor, at the Dept of Labor, set up an in person interview with me at Thier office on 17th n California, in Denver, she was great. Guess alot of people., In the thousands we’re having issues with this company IDMe.. well, I showed this lady everything I had and step by step, she submitted all my documents into Thier computer at the Dept of Labor, directly to the IDMe company. Everything went through, and after , the system said , it would take 24 to 36 hours for review and verification approval. Great right? WRONG ..
    This in person interview was May 15th, 2021. , June 1st, still nothing , so I start emailing & calling again.
    After about 3 weeks , June 9th ,2021, I go back down to the Dept of Labor. The building was still Appt. ONLY. but the Security Guard remembered me , and he allowed me to wait outside while he went to find the lady that helped me on May 15th. She invited me in , and I explained everything to her in much more detail than this.
    Oh , I got about 170 screenshots, 93 emails, 2 certified registered mailed letters that were returned to me without a signature , just a postmark that said “” UNDELIVERABLE””.
    UNF#! KING BELIEVABLE
    is more like it.
    So , I show her everything and she can’t believe it either.
    She calls a contact liasin at the IDMe place and step by step we login into my account with the Dept of Labor, click the little green IDMe link login into the IDMe site, and when I put my username and password in , Correctly , The system Notified me that “There’s already a username in our system, please choose another one ” then it gave me 4 different examples I could choose from..
    WTF is right. Well after about 3 hours, this liason guy, figured it out. Because I had an email account beith the Department of Labor first, I used a different one for the IDMe company. Well, I set my accounts up before the Federal Mandate went into affect, As of April 1st, Everyone that goes through the Department of Labor, has to use the same exact email for the IDMe company. So, I was told that I fell threw the cracks and they were sorry.
    Ok , Where’s my Dam Money, right. Ok, your information was all submitted and it looks fine , please allow about 2 to 3 weeks for your first check to be deposited in your bank account, and approx. 1 week after that, you’ll receive a deposit for half of your “back pay ” and approx. 2 weeks after that , you’ll receive the other half.
    Now this is May, 15th, 2021.
    What if I told you that As of today’s date, January 27th, 2022, I still haven’t received a penny at all from Anyone.
    My Account says “pending issues : Wage Correction , Adjudication / Pending, . It’s said that since October 6th , 2021.
    I call them about 3 times a week , and I’ve heard all kinds of different things.
    A ticket was submitted to a supervisor, the team that works specifically on the PUA BACKPAYMENTS, have your case , and they must just be backlogged , c’mon it’s almost been a dam year, and not 1 red cent.
    I’ve written, L etters to my Districts State Representative, Joe Barely he’s the Colorado Executive Director of Labor and Employment, the State Attorney General’s Office The State Treasure, The State legislatures office specifically I wrote to Leroy Garcia Steven fenberg and Chris holbert no response of course.
    Now based on what the Department of Labor posts on how to do a calculation of what your payments would be in my account it states that from between April 4th 2021 to September 6th of 2021 I have a total of $17,933
    I don’t know why they’re using April 4th for my begin date because I originally applied March 3rd they told me that I had to fill out a standard unemployment insurance claim in so that they can show that I was ineligible for standard unemployment insurance and that’s what makes me eligible for the pandemic unemployment insurance.
    But they’re using April 4th to September 6th for the back payment dates they’re not even including anything beyond or prior to March 3rd and when I originally applied that went back to October 12th of 2020.
    And as I followed their instructions and calculated my income and the money that they would have paid me from October 12th 2020 until March 2nd of 2021 I came up with $16,954.
    So I came up with a grand total of $34,887 the Department of Labor owes me just in back pay.
    I was told that as of September 6th 2021 when the pandemic unemployment insurance ended that I did not have to submit any more work things for work searches although all of the work searches that I performed during the periods between March 3rd up until September 6th I had to maintain those records for at least 2 years and so that if they wanted to audit me that I can prove that I actually did job searches during those periods that I had to maintain those records which I have and I submitted those as well to the Department of Labor.
    So I realize that this is very long but this is where I’m at if an attorney can help me or does money could be recovered I’m willing to pay 10%, which is right at about $3,500 bucks for your time and services I need a lawyer badly can someone please help me
    Thank you so much Joe

    Reply
  2. I have read each and every posting. I am in the same predicament. I am currently on PEUC. My balance is not exhausted. I have not been able to claim the month of May. I need to backdate to May 9. Several attempts at this point to do this via phone, but have yet to reach a person. I have tried for six days, excluding the weekends. Today is June 7. I’ll keep trying every day. Wishing we can find answers. Good luck everybody!

    Reply
  3. i was reciving benifits just fine until the last week of december since the new year i have not been able to file for weekly certification my account just says locked an i am not able too log in !! its been 3 an half months an i cant get in please if anyone knows how too UNLOCK a account let me know asap or if they have a number or a address where i can sceduale a pointment with a persone somewhere in denver colorado asap to speak with someone in person please an thanks !!

    Reply
  4. I have a different question about CO unemployment.
    I took 401k withdrawals for financial survival during 2020 and so far in 2021. I did not report the 401K withdrawals on CO unemployment questions because my research told me that they are not “Income”.
    I have searched the web repeatedly on the subject and come up with different answers but mostly – it is not considered “Income” or “Wages”.
    I am over 59&1/2 and lost my job on March 13, 2020. I filed for unemployment in CO, collected unemployment, searched for work, and am still doing the same. Does anyone know for sure if 401K withdrawals are “Wages” for CO unemployment filing? I do not want to accidentally make a mistake here. Thank you. Carol

    Reply
    • There is a specific question on the weekly cert that asks if u have collected various types of monies in different ways but it only applies to the week that you are certifying for. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  5. I had a positive balance on my peuc and shouldve been part of phase 1, however I had to go through the ID me process. Once completed, my account went from active to inactive with a zero balance and absolutely no option to open, re-open, or file a new claim! This all happened during round 1, now we are almost at the end of round 2 and it hasn’t changed other than it now states that I have an overpayment!! I’ve spent numerous hours on the phone (on hold) with absolutely no resolution!! I am owed a minimum of 12 weeks back dated, plus the present and future weeks as well! I am a single mother of 6, half of them are online and the other half are hybrid (part time online, part time in person learning). I barely know anyone here in Colorado Springs, so a sitter to work is out of the question, especially considering 2 of my boys who are ages 9 and 10 suffer from an emotional disability and have severe behavioral issues, so daycare isn’t really an option either, and their father passed away in October 2016, so we have been on our own ever since!!!! I am literally 4 months behind on rent as of 8 days ago and am facing eviction if I cannot get this money quickly!! My rent alone is $1,200 per month plus utilities!!! I have ALWAYS had a job or 2, and never had to worry about how I am going to provide for my children before…..this is literally the scariest thing a parent can face!!! Something’s gotta give soon! :'(

    Reply
  6. I applied for Standard UI on 3/16/20 and was approved. Furloughed for 6 months. At the end of the 6 months I went back to work part time but still qualified for UI. When my Standard UI balance hit 0 I applied for PEUC and qualified. I received partial UI payments from 9/20/20 till 12/26/20, (at this point I still had 80% of my PEUC balance remaining). When congress passed CAA I waited for the MYUI+ roll out so I could start claiming for the last week of December and all of January. Phase one sarted on 2/1/21. I followed all the instructions and was able to claim for the last week of December and all of January, (I was paid for all of January but never received payment for the last week of December). After a week, I claimed and received payment for the first week of February. I received my payment for the first week of February on 2/7/21. I checked my account on 2/10/21 and suddenly my PEUC was gone and I was back on Standard with a remaining balance of 0. I had several thousand left on my PEUC balance after my first week of Febuary payment and it just went away. I have gotten through to the 303 536 5615 number about 6 times since 2/10. After about three hours on hold they simply tell me my balance has ran out, they cannot see the PEUC, or there is nothing they can do. I have had no over payments. I have had 0 holds or hold notifications. I have followed every direction correctly and no one can tell me what’s happening or how to fix the problem. The employees at 303 536 5615 keep telling me I need to set up a return call from 303 318 9000 or 800 388 5515 but when I try they have no time slots for a call back available. I need to know why may ability to claim stopped. I had ample balance left. I have been work less than 25 hours a week and earning less than 25% of y UI allotment. I’ve done everthing right and cannot claim. I work at a Venue for the last 11 years and Thearters will be the last places to open so I need to figure this out and no one has answers.

    Reply
  7. My REG UE shows “exhausted” on the new UI+ Portal. I claimed weeks from 12/27-1/30 and only received one weeks worth of pay. What is happening? Will I automatically be back packed for the weeks processed? Or do I need to apply for PEUC?

    Reply
  8. colorado had to reprogramed their systems and finally people on pua and others could request payment and backpack for the weeks that the system was down. I reopened my claim and it said active and everything looked good . So I filed for those weeks it was down and for no reason at all it says payment denied . I didn’t get any explanation or how to appeal or anything . I can’t get ahold of a real person to talk to and the virtual assistant can’t help answer anything. I just don’t know what to do.

    Reply
    • I’m on same boat with you. All weeks from retroactive to current were denied. Can’t even set up a callback from them as no available spots. Let us know if it works out for you and how. Thanks!

      Reply
    • I to to am going through the same thing I haven’t received any money from the Unemployment since December 26. All of my weekly claim have been denied an no one can tell me why.. All this has caused me to go homeless. With getting only $18 a month of food stamps, what am I to do o.

      Reply
  9. I’ve been trying to get extended benefits since October and the calling system cuts me off, I did get a call back appointment for 1-28-2020 between 8-10 am and nothing I’m a single parent with 2 kids that cant go to school and are on hybrid learning so I got to use my phone for mobile hot spot so they can get online to do there schooling. It’s now getting harder and harder without any income and the fear of getting evicted is always present. I’ve been working my whole life and now that I have no control over what’s happening but cant even get unemployment benefits when you do everything they ask. Very disappointed in how this is turning out

    Reply
    • I’ve been having a very similar problem please let me know if anyone has or intends to get a Lawyer involved.I would be very happy to meet with them or a Lawyer.

      Reply
  10. I was paid properly for a few months. Then out of nowhere payment hold. Almost 4 months now on fucking payment hold. I got someone on phone a few weeks ago. Said she put in a “ticket.” Said watch my email for correspondence. About two weeks ago I called back. Lady said yeah I see that a ticket has been submitted for your issues. Said call back every week and keep asking and pushing the issue. Called about a week ago. Lady said no one actually submitted my fucking ticket!!!!! I said wow are you sure???? She said she was positive. She then submitted a ticket and promised me it was actually done properly this time. Said keep an eye on your email. Lmao what the fuck else do they need from me???? A lock of my hair and a semen sample???? Unbelievable. The incompetence is astounding. Next time I call I’m getting names. I’m done being nice. Fuck this bullshit. And I’m a nice guy who followed everything flawlessly flagged for fraud. Well guess what assholes!!!!!! ???????? I’m not a fucking fraudster!!!!!! About to go postal. (Not really) Good luck. I do know that many of the workers actually give a shit. But a shitload don’t give a flying fuck.

    Reply
    • My Husband’s payment status shows “Payment Hold” for this week’s payment. He, like you, never had any problems receiving his payment until now. We have called several times and it seems that each time we get a new agent, they say something different and when we question this, they say that the other agents basically don’t know what they’re doing. When asked to speak with a Supervisor, they all said that they are working from home and are unable to transfer me to one. Not once were we told that we needed to file a ticket. We were told that they are behind due to lack of staffing; that the system is glitching out due to the fraud issues the new system is having; that it could take 5-7 business days for his payment to post; that the bank put a hold on it; and the best response was….I’m new and haven’t heard of that issue, let me put you on hold so I can look it up….then he hung up on us. UGH this is so frustrating and the wait times are just ridiculous ~

      Reply
  11. Hello I am on Pua unemployment, and I requested a backdate back on September 4th and today is November 17th and I have not heard back at all from them. It’s about to be coming up on three months I’ve been waiting even to be approved or denied. I am unsure with what is taking so long but can anyone please let me know if they’re having the same issue thanks.

    Reply
    • I TOO HAVE BEEN WAITING ,IVE BEEN WAITING SINCE FIRST APPLIED IN AUGUST THEY NOT OLNY DID NOT GRANT THE BACK PAY BUT FOR WHAT EVER REASON THEY DIDNT START PAYING ME TILL THE END OF NOVEMBER . I CANT GET ANY ANSWERS AND CANT GET ANYONE TO HELP . THERE REPS SAY WE HAVE TO BE APPROVED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO TRACK THE PROGRESS AND IF APPROVED OR DENIED WE WONT BE NOTIFIE WE WILL EITHER GET THE MONEY OR NOT …WHAT KINDA CRAP IS THAT

      Reply
  12. I’m hurting also.I have tried to talk to someone at cdle. VIRTUALLY impossible using there virtual assistant.You can’t get a call back date its fully booked or when you ask about proper amount of PUA not just the minimum of $223 minus taxes you get “i cant answer that right now”.They have had my claim for a number of months now and all my 1099 ,s .I spoke with one girl at cdle and she told me they just paid everyone the minimum and that according to my earnings I should be getting paid more alot more but she couldn’t tell me when the problem would be resolved.Anyone else with similar issues? Thanks.

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  13. I applied in June for retroactive pay and was told I would get a call well on July5th I was told I am denied backpay for lack of trying to apply sooner! I was trying to weeks to apply but could not get through! Since then I’ve been told everything is fine when it clearly is not!

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  14. I have had the exact same things and issues regarding my pua claim . I take care of my mom who is disabled im her certified caregiver . in mid april her apartment building did away with any and all visitors including caregivers unless you are a live in aid. I field with my 1099 in June since regular unemployment denied my initial claim inwas told that i had to submit a PUA claim . when i put in my date it rejected it forcing me to loose 10 weeks of payment . i set up my direct deposit info and submitted everything i had to. I had to wait until the end of July before i got a payment thinking i was homna receive a retro payment from april to July my PUA account payment info said 3 payments had been processed for $2,460.00 .. I never received it i received $500 and 197.00 a week after I’ve called and called and i either get a rude guy who is for no reason at all just rude mean and don’t care to help me locate those first payment which clearly isn’t at all concerning to them , the federal government??. Seriously!! They submitted 4 work tickets regarding this issue since the beginning of August here we are almost November and instill have yet to receive a call the actually payment a letter or even a “F.U.”. From PUA .. Now i cant lOG in my pua online account i had to submit yet another wrk ticket to fix this issue and update my email address its never ending issue after issue and NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAS GOTTEN RESOLVED FIXED OR GIVEN ME AN ANSWER HAS TO WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ANYTHING!!

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    • They can help me with my funds exhausted so what should I doit’s been over a month and I haven’t received anything they said the kick in automatically but nothing yet

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    • I would suggest calling your local state representative and telling them about the issue you’re having they should send a form for you to fill out retaining your agreement to release you’re information so that representative can talk to the unemployment office on you’re regard it will put you at the unemployment offices first priority. I hope this helps anyone that sees this I did it and I got a call back from the ui office the next day literally and issue was resolved. I wish I did it sooner

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  15. There is a pending transaction for the past three weeks on my account. It is for the second round of LWA payments. Why is it taking so long to post to my bank? The first round was in my bank account in three days.

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  16. How do I apply for back pay? I filed my PUA claim already and just wanted to get my back pay. I didnt get to enter my dates when i filed so I was wanting to know how I do that?? Thank you

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    • You’ll probably need to back date it separately if you go to you’re states ui website. My state, Colorados website. Backdating is in the returning claimant section, I hope this helps

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  17. I filed PUA in June as that’s what I was told to do. Now my PUA has run out, and am wondering if I can file my regular claim. Does anyone have any information on this?

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  18. Notice just above the comments, and in this article, under ‘File a Claim’.. what does it say is needed? GROSS WAGES.. The CDLE owes Backpay to all PUA claimants that have been charged falsely with overpayments, resulting in the cut, reduction and/or stoppage of affected claimants benefits… I now know for a fact that my story is not unique in the eyes of the CDLE, but It is to me & my family… Just as each of your stories, along with the subsequent fallout, which by the way is a direct result from this Still Unresolved issue, is unique to You… The amount of time (2 months and counting) to Address and correct this is unexcusable!! In fact, as has been stated in other comments, the CDLE has to even Acknowledge the issue… Meanwhile, the toll its taking on all affected is mounting by the day, for some, if not most, that toll has already reached far beyond the financial aspect, creating undo additional Mental & Emotional stress, Putting Undo Strain on Families and relationships of all types, whether personal or business… The CDLE cannot ignore this.. They are do the Exact opposite of what is intended with the PUA benefits, They are doing WAY more Harm than Good during these last two months and every day forward until resolution… This Needs To be Addressed ASAP

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    • I agree. The people need to make themselves herd. You gotta admit it’s not all clde’s fault but we are to take some of the blame due to failure to hold them accountable for their actions in doing more harm than good. The people need to speak, to be herd. With peace and unity the people can be herd and at that point and only than will things change and the leadership will be held accountable. This needs to be done but won’t until every person out there is willing and ready for this change.

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  19. Ive exhausted my regular unemployment benefits, reapplied through same system returning claimant.
    Says approved extended benefits were added so i know have 2,5000 still in benefits to claim , but ive requested ans still says exhausted benefits. $$$000 even though ive alrdy bin approved for extended ahpw hpw much and all and still no paymnet???? Whats going on pls help????

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  20. Something NOT discusses at all in the news, is that Colorado PUA is going after many and I mean thousands and thousands, of self employed saying they were overpaid, when they were NOT, based on initial filing requirements. I understand they are also going after fraud which is great, but you do NOT tell people they qualify, then tell everyone that still has very little pay, they were overpaid by 8k 9k 14k or more. Most had earning for base period reset to Zero, and weekly benefits slashed, in addition to them taking out payments for the erroneous ‘overpayment’ errors they have made. They are crushing self employed. And most of these people reported proper earnings with 1040 and 1099 information from the get go. Amazed this is in ANY WAY legal.

    The original requirements stated 1040 and 1099 earnings records, which were VERIFIED

    Appalling abuse.

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    • I was cut off lol. Appalling abuse of the system is an outrage to everyone that NEEDED this. But, these people filed exactly as they were told to, and still have little to nothing to just ‘pay back’ an unemployment error or two. Other states are waving this, because they KNOW they did the initial verification wrong in the system. If we all think this will not affect all those thousands, it will, and it will affect them badly. Hopefully, Colorado Unemployment will fix this soon.

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    • What are you referring to ? I have owned my own business in Colorado for 9 years now and I am unemployed as a result of Covid 19. I filed the Pua claim and qualified, received my back pay and filed every week and was paid up until about 2 months ago when the my payment status suddenly changed to Payment Hold. This was right at the end of the additional $600 per week add on. I called the PUA hotline and spoke with someone and let them know my payment was on hold, they verified my information and ingformed me Id get a call in 3 weeks or so from management to fix my claim. I waited and waited but never recevied a call. Since I was not getting paid I did not claim the weeks, but did so after week 3 at which point my payment hold came off somehow. then my payment status changed to WEEK DENIED for every week I have filed for. I have called and spoke with Unemployment again and gotten the same 3 week put off. Now my account shows an overpayment of $14000!!!
      I qualify for this program for sure. There is no way that they should not be paying me!!! what gives???

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      • We BELIEVE they initially used Gross on our tax returns, then backdated the adjustment they made in the system to NET earnings for all benefits. If you look at correspondence, it should show a new monetary determination. For instance, mine shows ZERO earnings, which is incorrect. When I filed, I entered the information they requested, but THEY were calculating wrong this WHOLE TIME. Now, they are coming to us and saying give it back, which none of us CAN DO or we would not be filing for the assistance. A very clear case of a massive error on the part of Colorado Labor and Unemployment that is placing the burden on the people that are Self employed and in hardship because of the shutdown CDLE changed data received….. This is NOT fraud, this is them changing how they calculate your benefits, midstream. It may be a system configuration error, we do not know. I would call the Colorado PUA Overpaymant phone number and get this fixed. It is NOT your fault if you submitted all paperwork correctly such as Tax docs and 1099, it is an error they created. Whether it is valid or not is not the question, they need to waive this for the people the caused this issue for. Not only are we not getting enough to live, we cannot afford gas for our cars because of this burden that is not ours.

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    • Something is Very, Very Wrong here.. If I’m reading correctly, the reason/excuse the CDLE is giving for whats happening to us, is that our Gross wages were not to be counted, but instead our Net?! Well there is one Major problem with that! Go to the site, coworkforce.com, it plainly states that there are two methods used in Colorado when calculating unemployment benefits, the second of which would apply to those of us that are 1099 workers, among others.. And I Quote:
      “The second method begins with the total amount paid in the 12-month base period and divides that total by 52 (the number of weeks in a year). That number is then divided by 2 to determine your weekly benefit amount. According to Colorado Law, this weekly benefit amount currently
      cannot exceed $649 per week or be less than $25.”

      Also, you can go to CDLE “Benefit Calculator” and it tells you to enter your Gross wages, even specifically says, “before taxes are taken”…
      CDLE Must not only reverse these erroneous “overpayments” they claim against us, they owe each of us in this situation Backpay for every single week since this error occurred!!
      Its one thing for a few Innocent people to get caught up in the CDLE fraud sweep.. But As I read more and more of these comments, this particular issue goes WAY beyond that, and Your story is nearly identical to mine, as is almost every other related story people have shared! !
      By how the state itself says & shows calculations of benefits, Gross wages is the starting factor, and whether its regular Unemployment or PUA, does not matter….

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  21. I was layed off in November and was supposed to start work in the spring but do to covid 19 was unable to start work I recently was approved August 2nd for regular unemployment I was barely able to get through i filed a backdate request going back to March but haven’t heard a word anyone have any input??? Today is September 9th already I try calling and my call back is set for October 28th does anyone know how long a backdate request takes??? Please help I have a new born on the way im homeless and my car was stolen a month ago could really use the backpay at this point

    Reply
    • It took around 4 weeks to be approved. I still haven’t gotten the payment for those weeks yet, but I received the notice that my backdate was approved just the other day.

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      • I have been waiting sense June for my back pay. When i call they just say my ticket has been put in and thats all they say. Do you know what thar means. Im at a loss right now.

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  22. I filed a regular unemployment claim the end of february before the PUC b was implemented. There was a separation issue with my employer on my claim and for 12 weeks i was not able to receive any sort of payment. I requested payment each week. From what I understand, I should be elginle to receive retroactive payments for those weeks that i had to wait.

    Reply
    • Me Too Going On 3 Months Applied For Unemployment Benefits On ( Sept 10 2021 & Requested Back Payment Now It’s Nov14 2021 going On 10 Weeks Come November 20 2021 and Still Nothing ( 2 More Weeks Will Be 3 Months ) Not Even Weeks Already Certified.. Have Been Paid /Keep Calling And All I Get Is Just Wait..

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  23. I have used up all my unemployment benefits do i need toto apply for pua or do i need to apply for peuc please just looking for answers the unemployment office is virtual only and will not call me back for upto 2 months i will be in the streets by then i am a widow and 62 yrs old please respond with some info
    Thank You

    Reply
    • I believe you need to apply for PEUC under the returning claimant on UI website once your regular benefits have lapsed. Good luck!

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      • I received a letter stating that my benefits have been exhausted and to apply for PEUC. I followed the directions, but every time I click on returning claimant, It says access is denied. I called the numbers at the bottom of the page, but they are all automated. Anyone have any suggestions?

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  24. What will happen to my unemployment benefits if I take money out of an IRA to pay off some bills? If I pay off the bills I have a chance of surviving on unemployment for a while.

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  25. I filed a backdate claim from 4/11/20-06/27/20. I received a call from Colorado Unemployment 8/15/20 9:55am saying my backdate was approved and I would see my retroactive payment in my account by the end of the week 8/16/20-8/22/20. Still have not seen it. Yet when I log in to myui it shows on there each date for benefit ending, it shows all of them date payment requested 8/17/20, but there’s no date payment issued and Gross/Net amount is$0.00. I was told I would get at minimum the $600.00 for every week backdated. How come I’m not seeing this I’m my account? Do I have to separately request this?

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      • I just received a random payment in my back account not much still something . It’s looking hopeful. Does anyone know if any rent assistance that actually work?!?!

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    • The same happened to me but they deleted my myui account so i cannot log in to find out any information, nor have they sent me a new pin to create a new account.

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  26. I’ve been waiting to be paid by the unemployment office for 18 weeks now & still have to file just to keep waiting! They told me that I would be paid in 3 weeks! That was yesterday! How much longer do I have to keep waiting!

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    • Well let me tell you something, I have been waiting for my unemployment payment and backpay going on 29 week and 5days. I still haven’t heard anything. I’ve been told for the pass 7week. That I would be getting something in the new few days. Well that’s just a big lie. Since then my daughter was killed by her boyfriend. January 2,2021. No money no beniifits. I’ve became homeless. All they tell me is to be patient and continue to file my weekly claims.

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  27. So when will Colorado Springs Colorado start there PUI clames than because some of us are behind on Bill’s and lm one Landlords are kicking people out

    …And l can’t survive on what lm getting and can barely by food…

    Reply

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