CARES Act (a.k.a. Federal Stimulus Bill)

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Last updated on 5/14/2020 at 3:15 pm

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the federal stimulus package Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act.

Within the CARES Act are three benefits that unemployed individuals may be eligible to receive if they are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.

If you are unemployed and have worked for a covered employer (an employer who pays UI tax) in the last 18 months please apply for regular UI benefits.
See the flow chart: Which Unemployment Program is for You?

BENEFIT 1 - Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)

Additional $600/week

Provides most individuals an emergency increase in $600 per week in unemployment benefits (e.g., Regular UI, PUA and PEUC).

NOTE: Wisconsin began making FPUC payments the week of April 26, 2020. Claimants DO NOT need to take action for the additional $600 per week benefit.

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BENEFIT 2 - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

Not Otherwise Eligible for Regular UI

Provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to people not otherwise eligible for regular UI (e.g. self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history).

NOTE: We are now accepting online applications for PUA

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BENEFIT 3 - Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)

Additional 13 Weeks when Regular UI Exhausted

Provides an additional 13 weeks of emergency benefits for people who remain unemployed after they have exhausted their Regular UI benefits.

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CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions

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Will payments from federal CARES Act programs (PUA, FPUC, PEUC) be subject to income taxes like regular UI?

Yes, those payments are considered income for federal and state tax purposes. You can ask to have state and federal taxes withheld from your unemployment payments. If you decide to have taxes withheld, we will deduct 10% for federal taxes and/or 5% for state taxes from your weekly benefit payment. You can opt to have taxes withheld at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.

Will other federal programs such as FPUC, PUA and PEUC still be available after the May 13, 2020 Supreme Court ruling on Safer At Home?

The Supreme Court ruling does not impact these federal programs.