Delaware’s unemployment insurance program is currently providing benefits to eligible individuals who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits to include individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, individuals who are caring for a family member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are unable to work. Delaware has also increased the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount from $400 to $500 and extended the maximum number of weeks that individuals can receive benefits from 26 to 39. As a result of these changes, a significant number of Delaware residents have been able to access unemployment benefits during the pandemic. The Delaware Department of Labor has been working to process claims as quickly as possible, but there have been some delays due to the high volume of claims. Individuals who have applied for unemployment benefits in Delaware should continue to check the status of their claim online or by calling the Delaware Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance hotline.
## Delaware’s Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation
Delaware’s Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is an extension of unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits. PEUC provides up to 13 weeks of additional benefits for those who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
### Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for PEUC, you must:
– Have exhausted all regular unemployment benefits
– Be unemployed through no fault of your own
– Be able and available to work
### Amount of Benefits
The amount of PEUC benefits you receive is based on your previous earnings. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $600.
### How to Apply
To apply for PEUC, you must file a claim with the Delaware Department of Labor. You can apply online, by phone, or by mail.
### Timeline
PEUC benefits are available from March 29, 2020, through December 26, 2020.
### Contact Information
If you have any questions about PEUC, you can contact the Delaware Department of Labor at (302) 761-8446.
## Resources
– [Delaware Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance](https://ui.delawareworks.com/)
– [Federal Unemployment Benefits](https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus/unemployment-insurance)
## Table of PEUC Benefits
| Week | Benefit Amount |
|—|—|
| 1 | $600 |
| 2 | $600 |
| 3 | $600 |
| … | … |
| 13 | $600 |
Federal Unemployment Benefit Extensions in Delaware
The CARES Act and subsequent stimulus packages provided additional unemployment benefits to Americans. Here’s an overview of the extensions in Delaware:
- Lost Wages Assistance (LWA): A $300 weekly supplement to unemployment benefits ending December 27, 2020.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Unemployment benefits for self-employed, gig workers, and others not typically eligible, ending December 26, 2020.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): An additional 13 weeks of benefits for those who exhausted their regular unemployment benefits, ending December 26, 2020.
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): A $600 weekly supplement to unemployment benefits ending July 31, 2020.
Additional information about Delaware unemployment benefits can be found at the Delaware Department of Labor’s website.
Delaware’s Temporary Lost Wages Assistance Program
The Temporary Lost Wages Assistance (TLWA) program was a federal initiative that provided supplemental unemployment benefits to individuals who were receiving unemployment compensation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020. The TLWA program provided an additional $600 per week to eligible individuals, on top of their regular unemployment benefits.
In Delaware, the TLWA program was administered by the Delaware Department of Labor (DOL). The program was initially set to expire on July 31, 2020, but was later extended to September 6, 2020. However, the federal government announced that it would no longer fund the TLWA program after September 6, 2020.
As a result, the TLWA program in Delaware ended on September 6, 2020. Individuals who were receiving TLWA benefits on or before that date continued to receive those benefits through the end of the program.
Current Unemployment Benefits in Delaware
Delaware’s unemployment insurance program, administered by the Delaware Department of Labor, provides temporary financial assistance to eligible individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
- Base Benefit Amount: Calculated based on an individual’s past earnings, with a maximum weekly benefit of $638 (as of 2023).
- Extended Benefits: Available to individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits and meet certain eligibility criteria.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): No longer available as of September 4, 2021.
It’s important to note that the CARES Act federal unemployment benefits, which provided an additional $600 per week, expired in July 2020. Therefore, Delaware is not currently providing any extra money beyond the base benefit amount.
| Benefit Type | Maximum Weekly Benefit |
|---|---|
| Base Benefit | $638 |
| Extended Benefits | Varies based on previous earnings |
Well, there you have it, folks! The latest scoop on the unemployment situation in the First State. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions. If you’re still curious or have any further inquiries, be sure to check back with us at a later date. We’ll keep you updated with the most recent information as it becomes available. Take care, and thanks for reading!