If you face uncertainty about when you will be able to return to work, you might be looking for immediate financial relief to help you during this time. 

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is open to help people who are unemployed for reasons related to COVID-19 and are not eligible for the state’s regular unemployment insurance program, including independent contractors (gig workers), sole proprietors and the self-employed. 

The Illinois Department of Employment Security rolled out a new application portal Monday.

Workers who believe they may be eligible for new federal benefits under the PUA program must first apply for regular unemployment insurance and be denied before applying for benefits under PUA.

If you apply for benefits and receive an eligibility determination of $0, you can then submit a claim for PUA benefits. If you have already applied for and been denied regular benefits, you can submit a claim through the new PUA portal when it opens.

Under PUA, up to 39 weeks’ worth of benefits are potentially available for COVID-19-related unemployment claims. PUA claims will be backdated to your first week of unemployment, but no earlier than Feb. 2, and will continue no later than the week ending Dec. 26, 2020.

For more information and to apply, visit the IDES website.

Many Illinoisans are facing financial worries during this time — however, these resources will allow our state to begin its recovery.