Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law March 11, 2021 to extend unemployment benefits for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) programs through September 6, 2021. FPUC will remain a $300 weekly supplement for weeks ending January 2, 2021 through September 6, 2021, as appropriate and is subject to deductions for federal and state tax withholdings, child support, and overpayment recoveries. In accordance with Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Mark Butler’s plan for reemployment and economic recovery, effective June 27, 2021, Georgia will no longer participate in the federal unemployment programs enacted through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

Unemployment Assistance Information

UI

In accordance with Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Mark Butler’s plan for reemployment and economic recovery, effective June 27, 2021, Georgia will no longer participate in the federal unemployment programs enacted through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. These programs include Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). The last payable week for these programs will be week ending June 26, 2021. All eligible payments under any of these federal programs for week ending dates on or before June 26, 2021 will continue to be processed and issued to qualified individuals. 

Here’s What Georgia Unemployment Insurance Looks Like Starting June 27, 2021.

To be eligible for state Unemployment Insurance (UI), individuals must:

  • Be unemployed through no fault of their own.
  • Be monetarily eligible (have enough wages from past employers to qualify).
  • Be able to work.
  • Be available for work.
  • Actively seek work.
  • Be registered with Employ Georgia.
  • Not refuse suitable work, if offered.

Additional Details:

  • Georgia regulations allow claimants to receive up to 26 weeks of UI benefits.
  • Eligible claimants will receive a weekly benefit amount ranging from $55 to $365 per week, based on their previous earnings.

GDOL provides extensive online support to job seekers looking to rejoin the workforce. Claimants receive access to Employ Georgia’s job listings, résumé assistance, career counseling, skills testing, job fair information, job training services, and accessibility and special accommodations for people with disabilities and veterans transitioning back into the workplace.

The Continued Assistance Act of 2020 requires individuals who received PUA benefits on or after 12/27/2020 to provide proof of employment/self-employment or a valid offer to begin employment along with proof of wages. The deadline to upload proof into your My UI portal is 08/06/21. For more information and all accepted documents, see the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) page.

The GDOL encourages claimants to keep contact information updated so we may notify you of program updates. Make sure email addresses and mailing addresses are accurate in your My UI portal.

Watch for Fraud

If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from U.S.Treasury and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond.