Andy | Saving to Invest

Can I Remain on Enhanced Unemployment If I am Asked to Return to Work? What About Work Search Requirements?

Congress and President Biden have now passed into law the $2 trillion stimulus package, also known as the American Rescue Plan act (ARPA). It includes further unemployment program extensions until September 6th, 2021 for the PUA, PEUC and FPUC programs originally funded under the CARES act in 2020 and then extended via the…

$50 Monthly and One-Time $100 FCC Emergency Broadband Internet Credit For Low Income Households Under COVID Relief Bill

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted unanimously for a $3.2 billion program, approved as part of the $900 billion COVID Relief bill that provides emergency discounts of up to $50 per month toward broadband internet service for low-income households adversely affected by the pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program…

Unemployment Extensions Update to PUA, PEUC and FPUC in Latest Biden Stimulus Bill – When They Start and 2021 Coverage

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) also known as the Biden $1.9 trillion stimulus package has now been passed into law and reflects many of the unemployment extensions Democrats had campaigned on. I have discussed many of these in some recent articles and you can see a summary of the extended…

Child Tax Credit (CTC) Refund Payments Status – Latest Updates and News

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has see significant changes over the last few years, including recently under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). While the credit amount has been increasing, additional eligibility requirements like the claiming taxpayer and child having a valid Social Security number have also been introduced. See…

Help! My State Unemployment Department Does Not Answer the Phone Around My Claim – How Can I File and Get Paid?

It's no surprise that the high volume of pandemic-related unemployment benefit inquiries has overwhelmed some states’ call centers and websites, leading to delays and thousands stuck in limbo with the status of their claim and no idea when they will get their current and past benefits. Some are waiting on…

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – 2021 Extension Delays and Zero Weeks Claim Balance

Recently published a video on YouTube looking at the challenges millions of PUA claimants are having around getting access to the eleven week extension of benefits (and supplementary $300 payment) under the latest COVID Relief Bill. The comments I got were confirmation of how widespread the issue was and its…

AMC Stock Rallying Again – Time For Another YOLO?

[May 2022 Update] De-ja-vu. AMC and GameStop stocks are back in the news. As of writing both are up over 15% intraday, off record lows and multiple halts. Are we seeing another meme stock frenzy in the midst of one of the worst stock market downturns in recent times? And…

State Unemployment and Labor Departments Should Start Planning NOW For Further 2021 Extensions of PUA, PEUC and FPUC Programs Under Biden COVID Relief Plan

Update following Biden Extensions to Unemployment Benefits With Enhanced unemployment extension rules under the Biden Stimulus plan now drafted in legislation, it was good to see minimal changes to the PUA and PEUC programs, other than extending them by 24 weeks to the end of August 2021. The FPUC amount…

Updated IRS Non-Filer Tool For Claiming 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit, Missing or Under Paid Stimulus Checks Including For Dependent Payments

[Updated with new IRS tool] The IRS has finally released their updated tool for non-filers to register for the soon to be paid Advance Child Tax Credit payments (see schedule here). Individuals and families who are not required to file a 2020 tax return or have not used this tool…

What Happens If I Make a Mistake when Claiming My Remaining Child Tax Credit (CTC) or Stimulus Check (Recovery Rebate Credit) in Your 2021 Tax Return Filed in 2022

The IRS has now provided instructions to help people claim missing stimulus check for themselves and their dependents. If you haven't got your missing stimulus payment (economic impact payment) for yourself or your dependents by the start of 2022 the IRS is recommending claiming the payments as recovery rebate credits…

Tennessee Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $325/Week, No State Income Tax, and What Else Is Available

Tennessee's unemployment insurance program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, provides benefits for up to 26 weeks. The 2026 maximum of $325 per week is modest — Tennessee's cap has historically been one of the lower ones in the South. But one notable advantage is Tennessee's…

Kansas Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $612/Week for 16 Weeks, Partial UI, and What Else Is Available

Kansas's unemployment insurance program — managed by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) — offers a notably high benefit cap relative to neighbors like Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, but catches people off guard with a 16-week maximum duration. That's the same short cap as Arkansas, and well below the 26-week…

Are Unemployment Benefit Payments Taxable at a State and Federal Level (1099-G) Plus Withholding To Reduce Taxes Due

The past few years were unique and difficult year for many reasons. One group in particular was hit hard - American workers, especially those who lost their jobs directly or indirectly due to COVID. Fortunately the government acted and put in several enhanced benefit programs to provide unemployment benefits and…

Arkansas Unemployment Benefits in 2026: Up to $451/Week for 16 Weeks, Partial UI, and What Else Is Available

Arkansas's unemployment insurance program — run by the Division of Workforce Services (DWS) — provides a relatively modest weekly maximum of $451 and limits benefits to just 16 weeks. That combination of a lower cap and short duration means workers need to plan ahead and understand what supplemental programs are…