Questions and answers about filing for unemployment

Readers had several questions about filing for unemployment in Minnesota. Here are answers from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Q: Will people whose unemployment recently ran out automatically be eligible for a 13-week extension?

A: Yes. As of April 15, the 13-week extension is now up and running. We think this will immediately help about 8,000 people who have recently exhausted their benefits or will soon.

Q: When will assistance for the self-employed start going out?

A: This is a complex and completely new program that the federal government created a few weeks ago and just provided us with final direction last week. We're working hard to get our system set up so we can pay these people.

We're encouraging self-employed people or independent contractors to apply now so we can pay them quickly when Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which covers the self-employed and many other categories, is operational.

Q: How do I apply for unemployment?

To talk to a representative, call 651-296-3644 in the metro or 1-877-898-9090 in greater Minnesota. (Callers have had difficulty getting through, and hold times can be long.)

Because of the volume of applications, the state is asking people to apply for benefits by following the schedule online, based on the last digit in a person's Social Security Number.

Q: How much are unemployment payments in Minnesota?

A: Eligible applicants will receive about 50% of their weekly income, up to the state maximum of $740 per week. For eligible applicants, the state has processed 90% of claims within one to two weeks.

Q: What advice do you have for people whose unemployment has been in a pending status for more than a week?

With more than double the amount of applications for unemployment this month than in all of 2019, there are some delays. But people will get benefits retroactively.

Q: Why are parochial school workers not eligible for unemployment?

A: By statute, any school run by a church, convention or association of churches is not covered. Religious school workers may qualify under PUA.

Q: Is an adult with disabilities who is employed through a vocational program and receives a 1099 form instead of a W2 eligible for benefits?

A: Most workshop-type programs are not covered by unemployment. But it's possible that a person who didn't qualify for unemployment might be covered by the PUA.