For Traditional W-2 Employees:
The economy has been brought to its knees as a result of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Restaurants, bars, offices, and other workplaces have closed their doors leaving a lot of people without a paycheck. As a result, a large number of people are filing unemployment claims, and the government has made changes to streamline and increase eligibility for unemployment benefits.
Generally speaking, a person who loses a job through no fault of their own is eligible for unemployment benefits. Job losses related to COVID-19 are no exception. If you lose your job as a result of COVID-19, you will most likely be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Iowa Workforce Development has set out to provide answers to frequently asked questions relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits. If you have questions about eligibility for unemployment benefits, check out this link.
For Independent Contractors and the Self-Employed:
Congress recently passed the CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT and it was subsequently signed into law. This law increases the availability of unemployment insurance benefits to those who are self-employed, contract workers, those ineligible for state unemployment benefits or have exhausted benefits.
For more information about eligibility pursuant to the CARES ACT, check out this link.
If you lose your job through no fault of your own but are denied unemployment benefits, contact the Higgins Law Firm to learn about appeal rights.