State officials on Monday began paying supplemental unemployment benefits to gig workers and the self-employed who are out of work because of covid-19.
The pandemic unemployment assistance payments, amounting to an extra $300 weekly, are available for unemployed workers who register with the state and document their wage and employment status.
Commerce Secretary Mike Preston said about 4,900 payments were approved Friday and those Arkansans should have received their payments Monday. He estimates about 60,000 workers in the state are eligible for the payments.
The payments are federal supplemental benefits approved by Congress before the end of 2020. However, the gig and self-employed workers are required to create a state account and file documentation on wages as required by the federal act, Preston said.
Eligible workers will receive their state-paid benefits, ranging from $132-$451 per week based on wage history, in addition to the $300 supplement. Payments are retroactive to Dec. 1, 2020, in some cases. The pandemic unemployment assistance program is scheduled to expire March 13. More information is available at pua.arkansas.gov or by calling 844-908-2178.