If this isn’t the most useless piece of advice.

“Just go try again!”



FYI: There’s actually a federal program baked into the CARES Act called “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” meant to help self-employed, independent contractor, and ppl with < 6 months of work history.

1/ https://twitter.com/rephartzler/status/1254479265615294467

You can get assistance to cover most of the 2020 year.

You should apply for this program through your state.

In Missouri, you’re required to file for regular unemployment and receive notification of denial before applying for PAU.

2/

Supposedly, DES will call you and provide notification on securing PUA.

You’ll need to provide proof of income. The minimum weekly payout is $133 and payments are retroactive to when you first lost work due to COVID-19.

3/

But two things to flag.

1. It’s gonna be hard to push Missouri to give you these benefits to which you’re entitled. Go in asking specifically about PUA.

2. To qualify you have to be out of work because of COVID-19.

4/

That includes a diagnoses, caring for a child who’s out of school, your place of employment is closed because of the virus or work has dried up.

Here’s the catch.

Our pseudo-stay at home order means many businesses aren’t technically closed—even if they cut off ICs.

5/

And the only way to fall under “loss of work” is if you have COVID-19 and that’s inhibited your ability to work.

Losing business because others are cash-strapped and not hiring you anymore doesn’t seem to fit the Missouri criteria.

6/

P.S. There aren’t enough tests.

So all the folks needing a positive diagnoses to get unemployment are hurting in more ways than one.

7/

Congress should step in and provide oversight to ensure the PUA is helping those it intended to help and that it’s not being undermined by states like Missouri.

We have that oversight committee now.

And Vicky’s vote against it, was about as helpful as her advice here.

8/