Unemployed workers have a lot of information to keep track of. As Congress works to negotiate the continuation of unemployment relief programs, here are a few ways you can take action right now to get the upper hand in spite of lingering questions and concerns.
#1 Appeal Overpayment Decisions
One pressing matter is that of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) overpayment notices. If you’ve received one, don’t panic! You have a right to legal assistance through local agencies to appeal the decision.
#2 Budget Wisely For Lags
“If your benefits stop on December 26 and Congress passes an extension of [assistance programs], it may well be the case that there is a programming lag and you will get restored benefits, albeit in a delayed manner,” the National Employment Law Project (NELP) reports. Budget your spending to account for this potential lag in support.
#3 Keep Fighting For Better
Organizations like the Center For Popular Democracy are bringing unemployed workers together to demand better treatment and support from our governing public servants.
We echo the passionate sentiment of NELP senior policy analyst Michele Evermore, who says that “only when we all believe we can unite for better systems can we craft long-term unemployment reforms to ensure that the hardships you’ve experienced in 2020 will not happen to you and other workers in the future.”