Unemployment Benefits and the Coronavirus

<p>The federal government has allowed states to change their unemployment benefits laws. It lets them provide <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/unemployment-benefits-finder-help.aspx">unemployment benefits for situations related to the coronavirus (COVID-19)</a>.</p><p>The <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22actionDate%3A%5C%22116%7C2020-03-27%5C%22+AND+%28billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22+OR+type%3A%5C%22AMENDMENT%5C%22%29%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1">Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act</a> expanded benefits further. It authorizes:</p><ul><li><p>Self-employed workers and gig workers to receive unemployment benefits</p></li><li><p>Unemployed workers to get an extra 13 weeks of benefits beyond the number a state currently provides</p></li></ul><p><a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/Find-Unemployment-Benefits.aspx?newsearch=true">Contact your state’s unemployment insurance program</a> for more information and to apply for benefits.</p>

Continuation of Health Coverage: COBRA

<p>Learn how you can continue your health care coverage through COBRA.</p><h3>What is COBRA?</h3><p>COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. COBRA lets workers and their families remain in the employee's group health insurance plan for a limited time after a change in eligibility.</p><h3>Eligibility</h3><p>There are three basic requirements that must be met for you to elect COBRA continuation coverage:</p><ul><li><p>Your group health plan must be covered by COBRA</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>A qualifying event must occur. This could be voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, or divorce.</p></li><li><p>You must be a qualified beneficiary for that event</p></li></ul><p>If you are entitled to COBRA continuation coverage, you must be given at least 60 days to decide whether to elect it.</p><h3>How to Get COBRA</h3><p>Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra">An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits under COBRA</a>.</p><h3>Get More Information or File a Complaint</h3><p>For questions or complaints about your COBRA coverage, contact your plan administrator or the <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/employee-benefits-security-administration">Employee Benefits Security Administration</a>. Note: In some cases, you can change from COBRA coverage to <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.healthcare.gov/unemployed/cobra-coverage/">Marketplace health insurance coverage</a>.</p>

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

<p>If you can't work because you get sick or injured, disability insurance will pay part of your income. You may be able to get insurance through your employer. You can also buy your own policy.</p><h3>Types of Disability Policies</h3><p>There are two types of disability policies.</p><ul><li><p>Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year.</p></li><li><p>Long-term policies may pay benefits for a few years or until the disability ends.</p></li></ul><p>Employers who offer coverage may provide short-term coverage, long-term coverage, or both.</p><p>If you plan to buy your own policy, shop around and ask:</p><ul><li><p>How is <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/disability/">disability</a> defined?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>When do benefits begin?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How long do benefits last?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How much money will the policy pay?</p></li></ul><h3>Federal Disability Programs</h3><p>Two Social Security Administration programs pay benefits to people with disabilities. Learn about <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.usa.gov/disability-benefits-insurance#item-214012">Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)</a>.</p>

Workers' Compensation for Illness or Injury on the Job

<p>Workers' compensation laws protect employees who get hurt on the job or sick from it. The laws establish workers’ comp, a form of insurance that employers pay for. These laws vary from state to state and for federal employees.</p><h3>Benefits Provided by Workers' Compensation</h3><p>In general, workers’ comp provides:</p><ul><li><p>Coverage for workers’ medical expenses</p></li><li><p>Compensation for lost wages while a worker is out recovering </p></li><li><p>Benefits for dependents of workers who died from job-related hazards</p></li></ul><h3>Private Sector and State or Local Government Employees</h3><p>If you get hurt working for a private company or state or local government, seek help through your state. Your <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/wc.htm">state workers' compensation program</a> can help you file a claim. If your claim is denied, you can appeal.</p><h3>Longshore and Harbor Workers, Coal Miners, Nuclear Weapons Workers, and Federal Employees</h3><p>Federal laws protect longshore and harbor workers, coal miners, nuclear weapons workers employed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or a DOE contractor, and federal employees. Contact the <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/owcp/owcpkeyp.htm">workers' compensation program</a> that applies to you for help filing a claim.</p>

Wrongful Discharge/Termination of Employment

<p>If you feel that you have been wrongfully fired from a job or let go from an employment situation, you may wish to learn more about your state's wrongful discharge laws.</p><ul><li>Wrongful termination or wrongful discharge laws vary from state to state.</li><li>Some states are "employment-at-will" states, which means that if there is no employment contract (or collective bargaining agreement), an employer can let an employee go for any reason, or no reason, with or without notice, as long as the discharge does not violate a law.</li></ul><p>If you feel you have been wrongfully discharged or terminated from employment, you may: </p><ul><li>Contact your <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm">State Labor Office</a> for more information on wrongful termination laws in your state.</li><li>Seek legal counsel if your employer terminated you for any reason not covered under state or federal law.</li><li>You may also be eligible for <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/termination">unemployment compensation and extension of your health care benefits</a>.</li></ul><h3>Employers</h3><p>If you are an employer seeking information about legal termination of employees, you may wish to contact both the <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.eeoc.gov/">Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)</a> and your <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm">State Labor Office</a> to ensure you do not violate any federal or state labor laws. You may wish to consult with a licensed attorney.</p>

Welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

<p><a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf/about">Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)</a> is a federally funded, state-run benefits program. Also known as welfare, TANF helps families achieve independence after experiencing temporary difficulties.</p><h3>What help is available through TANF?</h3><p>Recipients may qualify for help with:</p><ul><li><p>Food</p></li><li><p>Housing</p></li><li><p>Home energy</p></li><li><p>Child care</p></li><li><p>Job training</p></li></ul><p>Each state runs its TANF program differently and <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://aspe.hhs.gov/dataset/tanf-program-names">has a different name</a>.</p><p>Some <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tribal/tribal-tanf">tribal groups</a> operate their own TANF programs.</p><h3>Am I eligible for TANF? </h3><ul><li><p>Each state or tribal territory decides who is eligible for financial help, services, or other benefits.</p></li><li><p>You must be a resident of the state where you are applying.</p></li></ul><h3>How do I apply for TANF?</h3><p>To sign-up for temporary benefits, you can:</p><ul><li><p>Apply at your local or county social services agency, or</p></li><li><p><a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/help">Call your state TANF office</a> for your local contact information.</p></li></ul><h3>How do I report TANF benefit fraud?</h3><p>If you suspect possible welfare fraud, contact:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/help">Your local TANF office </a></p></li><li><p>The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/hhs-tips-fraud-hotline">Inspector General’s Fraud Hotline</a></p></li></ul><h3>What else do I need to know about TANF?</h3><p>If you receive TANF, you may be eligible to receive <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.usa.gov/benefits#item-211654">other government benefits</a>.</p>

Unemployment Help

Q: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

<p>If you can&#39;t work because you get sick or injured, disability insurance will pay part of your income. You may be able to get insurance through your employer. You can also buy your own policy.</p><h3>Types of Disability Policies</h3><p>There are two types of disability policies.</p><ul><li><p>Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year.</p></li><li><p>Long-term policies may pay benefits for a few years or until the disability ends.</p></li></ul><p>Employers who offer coverage may provide short-term coverage, long-term coverage, or both.</p><p>If you plan to buy your own policy, shop around and ask:</p><ul><li><p>How is <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/disability/">disability</a> defined?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>When do benefits begin?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How long do benefits last?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>How much money will the policy pay?</p></li></ul><h3>Federal Disability Programs</h3><p>Two Social Security Administration programs pay benefits to people with disabilities. Learn about <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.usa.gov/disability-benefits-insurance#item-214012">Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)</a>.</p>

Q: Workers' Compensation for Illness or Injury on the Job

<p>Workers&#39; compensation laws protect employees who get hurt on the job or sick from it. The laws establish workers&rsquo; comp, a form of insurance that employers pay for. These laws vary from state to state and for federal employees.</p><h3>Benefits Provided by Workers&#39; Compensation</h3><p>In general, workers&rsquo; comp provides:</p><ul><li><p>Coverage for workers&rsquo; medical expenses</p></li><li><p>Compensation for lost wages while a worker is out recovering </p></li><li><p>Benefits for dependents of workers who died from job-related hazards</p></li></ul><h3>Private Sector and State or Local Government Employees</h3><p>If you get hurt working for a private company or state or local government, seek help through your state. Your <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/wc.htm">state workers&#39; compensation program</a> can help you file a claim. If your claim is denied, you can appeal.</p><h3>Longshore and Harbor Workers, Coal Miners, Nuclear Weapons Workers, and Federal Employees</h3><p>Federal laws protect longshore and harbor workers, coal miners, nuclear weapons workers employed by the Department of Energy (DOE) or a DOE contractor, and federal employees. Contact the <a href="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218013336/https://www.dol.gov/owcp/owcpkeyp.htm">workers&#39; compensation program</a> that applies to you for help filing a claim.</p>

Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, welfare or temporary assistance, and other programs and services that can help if you lose your job.