DEED implements 13-week extension of Unemployment Insurance

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the agency has fully implemented the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides a 13 week extension of unemployment benefits for eligible applications. PEUC was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

“This is the second of three CARES Act programs which DEED has quickly implemented to help those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Commissioner Steve Grove. “Approximately 8,000 people have exhausted or will soon exhaust their Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits. With PEUC fully implemented, those individuals will now be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance in addition to the $600 additional compensation payments we implemented last week.”

Individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and believe they are eligible for extended benefits under the PEUC should login to their online account at uimn.org for additional details.

The final component of the CARES Act to be implemented is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which will provide unemployment benefits to self-employed individuals, independent contractors, gig workers and others who would not normally be eligible for unemployment benefits. DEED expects to have PUA fully operational by the end of April, but is actively encouraging those who think they are eligible for these benefits to apply online now at uimn.org.

Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.