The Delaware Department of Labor has pushed back the issuance of the $600 weekly benefit provided by the president’s CARES Act, according to their website.
Over the weekend First State Update obtained a DOL email that was sent out to those inquiring about the $600 a week that the CARES ACT adds to UEI benefits. The email response said “Currently there are no extensions or additional funding available. Unemployment insurance is a federally funded program and we are awaiting guidance.”
After several readers contacted us regarding the $600 payments, First State Update reached out to Senator Chris Coon’s office on Sunday seeking guidance. A spokesman for the senator said they are looking into how long it should take for the payments to arrive.
It appears the program, originally scheduled to begin yesterday, Sunday, April 5, 2020 was pushed back a week according to the newest guidance on the Department of Labor’s website.
The Delaware Department of Labor posted the following on their Facebook page regarding unemployment insurance (UEI).
Apply for unemployment benefits online (if possible). Instead of calling to see if you qualify.
https://uics.delawareworks.com/Forms/Form_WL1
There are paper applications that you can submit at the office (a box in their parking lot) but the office is closed to the public due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Download application (if submitting a paper application): https://ui.delawareworks.com/documents/self-application.pdf
There has been an increase in a demand of support, and we are in the process of hiring more to help us respond to emails, phone calls, social media, etc.
This is why online applications are more effective than speaking with a representative.
Benefits for self-employed (including gig-workers) are included in the CARES act, however that was signed into law only nine days ago, and the federal government has not yet issued regulations that direct the Delaware Department of Labor how to handle the applications.
The requirement of actively seeking another position has been waived during the Coronavirus pandemic.
When in doubt, apply online (or drop off your application in the mailbox in the parking lot) as soon as possible.
Related Links:
Unemployment Benefits FAQs
https://dol.delaware.gov/covid19-ui-faq.php
File a claim:
https://uics.delawareworks.com/Forms/Form_WL1
For more information, Text “uifacts” to 555888.