Key Takeaways
- Georgia's maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $365, with benefits lasting up to 14 weeks in 2026.
- The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) runs the program. File online at dol.georgia.gov.
- Your weekly benefit is calculated as 1/21st of your highest base-period quarter wages, capped at $365.
- Georgia has a one-week waiting period before benefits begin.
- Georgia's system is among the more restrictive in the Southeast — $365 max and short duration are trade-offs for low employer UI taxes.
Georgia’s maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit is $365, and the state provides up to 14 weeks of regular benefits — one of the shorter durations among larger states.
It’s not the most generous program in the country, but it’s also one of the faster and more straightforward systems once you know what to expect. The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) runs the program, and most claims are processed entirely online.
Here’s what 2026 looks like.
2026 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Basics
Maximum weekly benefit: $365
Minimum weekly benefit: $55
Benefit duration: Up to 14 weeks in 2026 (Georgia uses a variable-duration system tied to its unemployment rate)
Waiting week: Georgia has a one-week waiting period — the first week of your claim is unpaid, but you still need to file for it.
Georgia UI is managed by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) and filed at dol.georgia.gov.
Georgia’s Variable Benefit Duration
This is one thing that makes Georgia different: the number of weeks you can collect is tied to the state’s unemployment rate. Georgia’s formula allows between 14 and 20 weeks, depending on conditions:
- Unemployment rate < 6.5%: 14 weeks
- Rate 6.5%–8.5%: 16 weeks
- Rate > 8.5%: 20 weeks
In 2026, with Georgia’s unemployment rate well below 6.5%, most claimants will receive 14 weeks — the minimum.
How Georgia Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
Georgia uses your highest base-period quarter to calculate the weekly benefit amount. The formula is: divide your highest quarter wages by 21. That gives your WBA, capped at $365.
For example:
- Highest quarter of $7,665 → $7,665 ÷ 21 = $365 (capped at maximum)
- Highest quarter of $4,200 → $4,200 ÷ 21 = $200/week
Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. To qualify, you need to have earned wages in at least two of those quarters and have total base-period earnings of at least $1,134 (or $35 per week in at least 2 base period quarters).
Who Qualifies for Georgia Unemployment in 2026
Standard eligibility:
- Lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, company closure, significant hours reduction)
- Worked in Georgia during the base period with sufficient earnings
- Able to work, available for work, and actively searching for a new job
- Registered with Georgia’s job search system (GeorgiaJobs at employ.georgia.gov)
Voluntary quits are disqualifying unless you had good cause — documented medical reasons, domestic violence, or employer-initiated material changes to your job conditions are the main exceptions.
Independent contractors and self-employed workers are not covered by Georgia’s standard UI.
How to File for Georgia Unemployment in 2026
- Online: dol.georgia.gov — this is the main filing portal
- Phone: 1-877-709-8185
Georgia requires claimants to file an initial claim at their local GDOL Career Center in some situations — check whether your claim requires an in-person visit, though most can be handled fully online.
After filing:
- Register with GeorgiaJobs.com (employ.georgia.gov) — mandatory as part of eligibility
- Certify weekly via the GDOL online portal. Report any wages earned during the week.
- Complete required work search activities — Georgia requires at least three employer contacts per week. Keep records.
Payments go via debit card (Georgia Way2Go card) or direct deposit. Allow 3–4 weeks for initial payment on a clean claim.
Appealing a Georgia UI Denial
If your claim is denied, you have 15 days from the date of the determination to appeal. File your appeal at dol.georgia.gov or by mail.
An appeals hearing will be scheduled before a GDOL hearing officer — typically conducted by phone. Georgia’s appeals process is formal — treat it like presenting evidence, not just explaining your side.
Related Resources
Compare Georgia’s benefits to other states in our 2026 maximum weekly unemployment benefits by state.
For official filing and current eligibility information, use dol.georgia.gov.
I applied for unemployment in June 2020 I was terminated due to suspected breaking rules not breaking rules but suspected I check my informed delivery for my mail each day and I was supposed to have received a hearing letter on Thursday however I didn’t receive it does anyone have any idea how I can find out when my hearing is. Btw I am only owed for like 6 weeks after losing my job bc I got another job quickly. I filed my weekly benefits every week until my year expired. Also I’m wondering if I will get the extra benefits for the 6 weeks they owe me for also. I am in Georgia also. If anyone has a answer for any of my questions please let me know. Thank you very much.
Why haven’t some people received their UI from last week in Georgia. Can’t get in touch with no one at GDL
I have a question since there cutting the pua and other programs off on june the 26 th does that mean that there not paying any of the money they never paid too people that qualified or got a few payments and it stopped or no payments at all due to the glitches and there jacked up system along with the problems of being locked out of there portals or couldn’t reach any one and have done all that was asked of them as required I notice they haven’t mentioned that at all paying the people they owe that qualified and didn’t get a dime all this time or what they had to do to get the money there owed were is the instructions for that…
Yea
Bye is 05/23/2021 will reapply 05/24/2021, I’m On PUA, originally denied UI..Reading in new and current online forums for Ga UI, that 2 questions on the REapplication/recertifying page for unemployment and other programs when BYE ends are now causing 8+ week delays… 1) do you have any new or additional wages to report? Most that have been employed this whole time like myself although part time ( was full time before covid) are answering YES assuming question means did you make or earn any wages since your original UI claim…forums are saying the question is intentionally vague and actually means do you have any NEW wages to report from another employer that was not on your original UI application and NEW wages that would of had to be obtained or earned AFTER your initial UI claim…..2) are you actively seeking work, employment, etc??? Many have answered no because either they are part time employed and have been or answered no because state of GA hasn’t been requiring anyone to submit to employGA (resume, weekly job bids, applications, etc). Online forums suggest that even though I’m employed part time, I should answer yes to the question because the goal should be to obtain a full time 40 hr job, not keep a part time job , Can someone please CONFIRM or ELABORATE on these 2 questions in reference to REAPPLYING for UI….hopefully this helps me and so many others!!!
I received my last 2 week payment but before that didn’t get a payment for 9 weeks just wandering what’s going on
Hello, my date date was March 13, 2021 but my PEUC was increased. I went ahead and filed a new claim – was that the correct thing to do considering my amount for PEUC was increased the beginning of March ? Also all my old information disappeared after.
My BYE (Benefit Year End date) was 12/15/20. I still have a remaining balance. Do I need to reapply, or just keep filing?
GDOL says that if your Benefit Year ended, you have to reapply. It’s posted @GeorgiaDOL on on Twitter, too.
I would like for Georgia department of Labor to get in touch with me I have tried several times to get in touch with them cuz I would like to know where my unemployment’s at I have not yet received no money from the unemployment since this has started and I have tried and tried and tried to notify them and cannot get in touch with them I have done went through the ID me several times and I’m still locked out of my UI and cannot get back into it if there’s any way possible that I can please get someone to get in touch with me would be very appreciated my phone number 4706952528
the number was 470-695-2520
Does anyone know how to get a copy of your Determination Letter?
HELLO CAN Anyone help me my husband has waited since last march and was denied then this week all his back payments for ectra 600 and 300 showed in my ui portal then hours later all disappeared im literally drivibng me and google crazy trying to find answers for why it vanished i have screen shots and everything!!!
i am locked out of my ui and u have did the id me before when i got locked out and they toldme i did not have to do it again but u all are telling me me to so. what am i to do
I suggest that you try again as it may have been a glitch in the system as everyone is trying to get their money in this horrible time.
I been get my unemployment until I don’t know I was terminated and it stop and now it been 8 weeks I got bill and rent can someone tell me something and also been calling and leaving messages not reply yet what is going on I need help ASAP
This information is in your UI Portal. Go to MY UI portal. Put in your SSN and PIN#. You should see your Determination Letter posted.
I exhausted my pua benefits in mid Dec. I have continued to fill out the weekly benefits online. I know i qualify for the 11 additional weeks of payments, but still haven’t received any payments. What can I do?
I have claim my week for 2021 for pua the extra 11 weeks and I didn’t get my payment this week atall. Why not ? And what do I gotta do ?
Hello, I was experiencing the same problem. I got a notification. They are updating the system for the ones who have exhausted their unemployment funds from 39 weeks to 50 weeks, Continue to certify because, it will show up in your next payment, it should be this week. If not this week it will be next week. I hope this helps.
need some help . I’m in GA . I’ve been receiving pua payments for a month . but I’ve been approved since April . how do I get the payment for the weeks prior to a month ago ? I requested for all the weeks online already and they told me the weeks have been certified . I tried to email and call but never no response .
You have to claim them under the PUA weekly. Claim, not the UI weekly claim.. go back and redo them. If you were approved for those weeks, you should be paid for them.
I’m trying to claim my weekly benefit I can’t log in because I’m locked out
Back in Oct I had password issues, supposedly entering a wrong password multiple times had locked me out. I tried calling the hotline, as i had several other questions for a real person but after the line rang and rang and rang, i was automatically transferred to hear a message that their vm was full. So I searched online for myUI Portal locked out. Although it seemed odd, I learned that i needed to create an ID.me account to verify my ID. I did make sure that it was a legit & secure website as well as affiliated with DOL. The ID.me site required me to send in my driver’s license & answer questions similar to the ones used when checking your credit report. It wasn’t long and i was able to reset myUI login and resume checking the status of my claim
You get locked out when they send you the ID.me email–don’t delete any emails right now & be looking for that one. You have to go through the steps in the email & then they walk you through resetting your password, then you wait 24-48 hours to be able to login, then you get paid; is what I understand from the GDOL page on Twitter.
I’ve been waiting and been waiting on my email from them and I have not received nothing from them they have they just won’t text email me back and I have that email them and email them then tried calling and then tried calling and I can’t get no one to help me get back into my UI
Hey chelsey
Quick question. Is a monetary redetermination letter a direct response from a appeal? Thanks for any information you can give
How do I talk with someone about my PUA ?
See numbers in article. GA DOL Unemployment Insurance (UI): 404-232-3001 or 877-709-8185
They don’t answer any of the numbers you call from google nor do they return any messages
I was blocked out of my pua account for too many attempts how do I get back in I tried contacting my local unemployment office no luck
Hello, Go in and reset your password. Just type in how to reset password. I hope this helps.
I applied September 6th for unemployment benefits. I got the determination letter saying how much I can potentially receive if approved. A few days after receiving the letter. I had to register for IdentifyMe and show the representative my documents. Around Oct 11th I received a letter saying they still needed more information to process my claim and that I needed to email them a copy of the letter I received, a picture of my ID,and also a picture of my social security card. Which I did the same day as I received the letter. Since October 11th I havent heard anything at all. Since leaving my job I’ve had medical issues that prevent me from returning to work at this time. But I still have been claiming my weeks and applying for jobs as well even though my doctor advised against returning to work. I may have to seeing as my approval/denial for benefits seems to still be up in the air. Has anyone else had to take these steps as well? Have you heard anything if so?
I applied 2 weeks ago – got my confirmation number and my written Determination of Benefits letter on the 13th. I have signed up and used employeegeorgia. I have claimed 2 weeks worth of benefits. I am not able to speak with anyone via phone, chat, email, messaging, etc. As many of you know, the handbook states you will have your funds direct deposited into your account 48 hours after your determination (for me, dated 11-13). I check the My UI status, but it says the same thing it has said the second I created it – we are waiting determination, and you will receive an email with a confirmation # (which I did on the 13th), and a Determination of Benefits letter will be mailed to you (received on the 16th). My rent, utilities, water, heat – all of that is due on less than a week. My CCs are maxed. I get that there are millions of people in the same boat as me, which is despicable. What’s even more despicable is that we can’t get anyone to help us, to give us any information whatsoever. THAT TELLS US WE’RE DIRT. We’re nothing but filth that should be ignored and forgotten. When so many people, many who have lost at least one loved one to Covid, when we are backed into a corner filled with urine and feces…..Please don’t ignore us. We matter. Our lives are important. We need this service in order to survive. These checks, that are a bit less than minimum wage, are how we have to figure out feeding our families while living in a hatchback. Or begging your granny to use your sleeping bag in her attic on the colder nights. We are real people with real families who need real support. We need answers. We need directionality. We are already looked upon as lowly scum. All we are trying to do is eat, stay warm, and find a safe place to sleep. CAN YOU AT LEAST HAVE THE COURTESY TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS???
The benefit determination letter is only the calculation of what you will receive upon approval. You have to receive another letter called the PUA Claims Examiner’s Determination letter informing the claimant (you) if benefits are approved or denied. I am waiting as well for the second letter. If you don’t receive a letter within 15 to 21 days then you’d be able to call around to figure out what’s going on with your application.
I would go on Facebook to mark butler( head of DOL) page and contact them through messenger. He had someone in his office call me. I couldn’t get through to a person either. Just make sure you answer any calls after the messenger confirmation because some call from a cell phone or from home. I hope this helps good luck.
Work Search is waived right now, just so you know. If I were you, I would make absolutely certain I did not send all that personal info to a fake phishing email in reply. That just doesn’t sound right to me. I never had to submit my SS card to GDOL or PUA via email. It just doesn’t sound right at all that they would request a copy of the letter. I would get online with ID.me if that’s where you verified your identity. I don’t mean to alarm you, but that’s just the whole problem with having to do the ID.me verification; the scams. Also, you wilI not be approved if you cannot work due to illness. I urge you to do some more research on GDOL & read the GDOL Handbook. Good Luck to you!
I have been approved for pua back date to 8/19 and have claimed every week been calling and emailing. Still no answer my fiancé left me homeless and penniless in Macon Im having to panhandle just to be able to eat everyday some days I earn enough to get a room for the night but most days I sleep in a tent. I am disabled and worked as a housekeeper and child care to supplement my disability check but since the virus I haven’t had any work and now no one will hire a homeless person. Please I need my back pay so I can rent an apt.
Yes it won’t let you go back more than 8 weeks, but the case worker can override all the weeks going back if you call them and talk to them about it
I just saw on this site https://dol.georgia.gov/pua where they have a PUA Backdate Request Form “Individuals requesting to be paid for any week(s) prior to the effective date of the PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) claim need to print and submit a written request to backdate the claim. Include the reason why the claim should be backdated, the requested effective date of the claim and any other pertinent information that should be considered with the request. The PUA Backdate Request DOL-5168 must be submitted to their career center along with the Request for Weekly PUA Payment DOL-5158PUA.” It is a PDF. Sorry if someone else already posted this info, but I didn’t read them all before posting this!
Sorry but that’s a giant waste of time, I printed out every form, hand filled them out, scanned them as a pdf, and they disappeared into the black void that is the GDOL customer service dept, ne’er to be seen again… Months and months ago, and I had proof that my job and income were tanking well before our official shutdown and had almost no wages to show for it so I figured, why not, take a shot. Was a tremendous waste of time, effort, and pen ink to fill out all those forms only for them to fall into the wormhole on the middle of the UI section that allegedly has had a real live human there.. Once upon a time
I was, fortunately, able to get all my backdated stuff in before te PDFs were required. But yeah, I’m sure it is a waste of time. Well, I finally received ONE payment about two weeks ago (today is April 13, 2021) and it was dated from August 11, 2020. It did not include any PUA. We shall see if I ever get any more $$!
I’m STILL waiting for the retroactive part of my FPUC. I did receive the 600 for the weeks after I applied for unemployment, but not the retroactive part, which is for over 2 months.
I’ve called, left messages, and emailed, no response. I didn’t apply for unemployment right away because, “This won’t last long.”. Used up all my savings even with the fpuc and unemployment. Just that extra bit from the retroactive part might be the deciding factor in whether my family has a roof over their heads’ or not.
Amy Varnum
404.859.6008
[email protected]
CANTACT HER! SHE JJUST HELPED ME AFTER I BEEN WAITING FOR 6 WEEKS! she’ll check on the status of your claims for you and let u know anything about it. THANK YOU JESUS! IM RECEIVING MY MONEY BACKPAY BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEEK!
Congrats . did you email or call.
i called , then she said to email her and that same day she’ll get you someone at the gdol office to help u. & I emailed my senator Kelly yesterday in georgia and her secretary emailed me today and sent over my info immediately and got me help .
I received an email from her but Ms. Amy havent responded back yet. I checked the EMAILS, MY VOICEMAIL, AND MY PORTAL. STILL NOTHING
I AM JUST PRAYING THAT I HEAR SOMETHING SOON.
Did your payments start yet. If so how long after you email Ms. Amy.
Thank you Ms Lawson i was approved for PUA unemployment benefits approved from 3/22/2020 but didn’t receive my first payment till around July 9th 2020 and did not get the lump sum they said i would going back till the 2nd week of April and the GDOL refuses to answer phones , emails, letters or anything so i hope Ms Varnum can help me. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
She is not helping nobody else. She asked for my information then today I got an email saying she cant help with claims or questions related to claims.
Thank God you got through. I am still just sooo upset. Why ask for my info then not help
Thanks Christina, I have been waiting for my benefits since March, 2020. I got my letter with my benefit amounts and my card to deposit the money. Never heard from them again and I emailed over and over, and whoever in in the head over there. Also I filed to appeals, 2 letters to the office, tried calling and anything I could think of to get my benefits and nothing. So thanks and hope this solves my issue.
Did you ever get your money? I tried to contact her and never heard back. I still haven’t received one penny, and I applied back in July 2020.
I have been claiming my weeks since the week of July 10th and I got an email saying it was processed then I got a paper stating what I could get if I was accepted. Well it’s November now and haven’t heard anything. I haven’t gotten any phone calls emails or anything and when I call I don’t get anything in return. Had anybody else had this problem?
Yes finally got in touch with someone this morning I was telling her about the letter I receive saying that I was approve for the Pua and then she told me that mines was still processing in which I don’t understand really you all sent me letter and it’s still in processing. Wtf
The department of labor just started online scheduling on the website under spotlight. You can try to get a appointment every Monday from 8am to 9 am
Thank you i did this morning but I’m going to try next week
It’s to say what going on but it since like we want get anything until election day is over maybe in Jan I’ve been watching the news that’s how I see it we are hurting so I continue to claim my ever week
I was in the same boat as you. I couldnt get ahold of anyone so i emailed my state senator and 4 days later i got all the back pay
how do u find out who your senator is
Called and emailed GDOL for my PUA Benefits and got nothing and I’ve been calling since May. I’ve emailed them my 2019 wages two weeks ago and I asked when will I recieve my payments… I was told “to stop emailing because I was slowing down the process”. Meanwhile I’m homeless doing postmates and doordash to keep a dollar in my pocket sleeping on a friends couch whiles waiting for GDOL to send me my payments!!!!! I can’t work due to my health. Thats why I stopped working. I just found out two days ago I need two surgeries.. my left hip and my lower back. I’ve already had a hip replacement done back in 2014 and now in a couple of months I have to have my 2nd hip replacement done and back surgery for a DDS(degenerative
disk sysndrome) so I need my benefits asap so I can find me home to heal comfortably in and that I can call home!!! I’m struggling to live!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!
Why are our claims being sent to Oregon????
Hey princess morrow. have you start getting payments
For me it took 5-6 months to get a call back. They will eventually credit all the money. Hopefully the have speeden the process by now mine was a April claim got a call in September
email your state senator and also go on your department of Labor website and go to the Regional map and itll show u a list of numbers and emails from every county and call everyone until someone checks your account for you.
that number dont work
Text 898-211. It helped me a bunch! I left a vmail for a place listed & a lady called me about 4 hours later and paid my electric bill in full! God bless them! Try it! It asks you what zip code & your need, you just type it in & it’ll give you a listings of local places that can help you. It’s great!
How long does it take to get you2 determined letter in the mail I had my call on October 15 the lady told me 15 days after my call is that’s true
No it takes about 60 days
I worked in GA from January to March. Normally I wouldn’t be eligible for UI in GA, but according to the care acts I am entitle to PUA. So I managed to file my claim in July, and got an email soon after telling me to submit additional documents. After that, no money, no response. I have been able to make weekly claim for both regular UI and PUA, and when I check my claim status on their website, I can see the weekly allowance figure, but just no payments.
Ever since then I’ve been trying to reach them by the two customer service numbers 877-709-8185 & 404-232-3001, it’s either busy tone or some voice message telling “we are experiencing system problems and are unable to process your call”. Has anyone here ever been able to reach them by phone?
I also tried to email them and of course there is no response. It’s been about three months since I filed the claim and seven months since I lost my job. I am literally using up my savings. I try every number and contact form on their website, but none works.
Please someone help me!
Call the Griffin or lagrange location, when the voicemail come on press 0 and it will keep transfering you
Have you received payment yet. I haven’t
Pull up the Georgia dol directory and start from the top. Eventually you’ll get someone. That’s what we had to do.
You don’t certify on Regular UI if you certify on PUA; just certify on PUA. You’re obviously approved for PUA. I was on PUA, still am but still waiting on the CAA PUA Extension under GDOL Phase 2; I haven’t gotten paid since 12/21/2020. We should receive payments anytime now. But stop certifying Regular UI! I did that for 2-3 weeks to begin with but I stopped & never had a problem getting paid my PUA.
I applied for UI in georgia got approved more then couple months back. Never seen where to apply for pua. Still dont I only said i was approved for whatever weeks. When i finally got my first payment only recieved 2 payments back on at the last 2 weeks in August and only got 3 lwa payments and i have 7 weeks of claims requests have been recieved in my status and never gotten anything else. Why??
I am on UI employer file for me. It runs out in 4 more weeks. Will I receive SEB or PEUC in Georgia and how do I know?
Same here. Ive been searching for an answer.
In the meantime I might suggest to keep claiming weekly.
Click the link on the GDOL Homepage under SPOTLIGHTS, Update on New UI Extensions. It’s there.
My wife applied in july and got approved for pua. Got approved and effective date backs to 02/02/2020. She has requested pua payment every week went all the way back and did it from that date. Tried direct deposit never recieved a payment so changed payment method to card. Recieved card last week but atill havent recieved a single payment.
I have been reading everyone’s comments and figured I’d add my own; maybe it can help someone. My PUA Benefit Determination letter was mailed on 9/11/2020 and it says the assistance period is 2/2/2020 to 12/26/2020. The letter came within a week after emailing a state representative. I haven’t received any payments, but I did get an email yesterday from someone in Atlanta asking if I was employed as an independent contractor or a wage earner, or something like that. I responded I.C. and she wrote back, “Thank you.” So maybe that means they are working on it. I’m sure they are all stressed and overworked, which doesn’t pay my bills, but I am sure they’re doing the best they can. I will post updates here, and I will continue to read comments here!
Thank you
My scenario is exactly the same as yours, except for the date is September 15th, and when I finally did get a response it was that it was pending processing and review by staff. Not been able to reach anyone since, but what’s confusing me is like I mentioned before I already had the determination letter since the 15th of September and an email before that stating it was processed with a confirmation number. Unless they’re talking about another stage of exactly the same process, it sounded as if the response was inaccurate due to the fact I’ve already and through the steps mentioned. At this point I just wished I had a direct answer as to what to expect. Any luck on your end thank you for your post. Hours of research and reading, I feel somewhat validated just to find that I’m not the only one in my situation.
Hi there,
I received my determination letter for the PUA on Sept. 15th stating the same dates as someone else had which was 2/2/20-12/26/20. I sent in all my taxes as 1099 as I was self employed. I did get an email and tried to claim my weekly benefits. Here is what happened………. Because I had so many weeks to go back, I claimed for that week in September, and then started going all the way back to Feb. I claimed weekly benefits for Feb, March, April, and May. ( I got interrupted with an emergency and just thought I would go back and claim for June, July, August, and that one additional week in September the following Sunday. That Sunday I claimed for that week in September and then tried to go back to claim weekly benefits for June, July, August. That is when the red box came up stating that you cannot go back more than 8 weeks to claim weekly benefits. This happened within 1 week!!!!!! I was kicking myself in the—- for not finishing the week before. It has been saying the 8 week thing ever since. I’m worried as to how I will ever be able to claim those weeks- those are the months that had the $600- which my determination letter said I was eligible for also. I have heard nothing. I’ve tried to call every number on the website. Now I am about to get a job offer and then what do I do??? Obviously I stop claiming weekly payments, but what else can I do to ensure all the weeks are accounted for and I get them even if I go back to work. Sorry this was so long!
I got the same red text stating that the system wouldn’t allow me to certify for more than 8 weeks back. After trying to call, emailing, and searching for answers all over the internet and GDOL website, i recently found a possible fix. I haven’t tried it yet, but i think it’s worth a shot. Go to https://dol.georgia.gov/pua
Scroll all the way to the end of the page and then back up past the orange footer section. There, you’ll find the link to certify for PUA payment each week and instructions. You’ll notice 3 pdf files that you can download. The 1st pdf is the “How to…PUA” tutorial. The 2nd pdf is “Request for Weekly PUA Payment, DOL-5158PUA” & the 3rd pdf is “PUA Backdate Request Form DOL-5168”
From my understanding, the 3rd pdf (#5168) is needed by those of us who need our claim to begin at an earlier date than what our determination letter states. If your claim date is right around the same time that you became unemployed, then you don’t need that one.
The 2nd pdf (DOL5158PUA) is identical to what you fill out online every Sunday, except it’s in paper form. So you’ll need enough blank copies to fill out one form for each week that you were unable to submit online. Be sure to use only Saturday dates and try not to enter dates that you had already completed online. Realize that if you double up on dates, it’ll not only hold up others’ payments but if you get overpaid, they’ll make you pay it back and you’ll also risk being cut off.
Once you have a 5158 form filled out for each of your missing weeks, plus a 5168 form filled out to request a backdated claim, if needed, I suggest you make copies of everything or snap pix with your phone so you have a record of them. Then bring them all to your local career center (Not sure, but you may need an appointment) and then please come back here and share your experience.
I hope this helps!
Horrible news. I received my determination letter on 9/15 with the dates of eligibility being 2/2-12/26. in the amount of $365 for 39 weeks
Today in the mail I received a letter saying I was denied all PUA benefits because 2/2/20 was before the Pandemic dates. Those were the dates they gave ME so that is what I claimed weekly benefits for under the MY UI page. So I guess that means I get nothing! I have gone through all of this for nothing.
Me too
You just receive another letter today telling you you were denied how long did you have to wait for your second letter
Good morning
Princesses Morrow. When you look at your ui portal did the wba change to 0.00 after you got the letter
continue claiming each week once you get your funds it will allow you to go back and claim the prior weeks
What you have to do the same way you did to claim your first week you have to start from the resent date and work your way up to the date where it say start date. Do it over and over
Since my last comment, I have changed my payment method to the card, received the card, and received an email from a worker in Columbus that said my status is still pending and she can’t give an ETA because of the unprecedented amount of claims. I have also emailed the Atlanta lady asking for a status but haven’t heard back. I really think they are doing the best they can and we have to be patient, but wow, not sure I have that much patience :-)
How do I email state worker
Go here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and type in your zip code. It should tell you the person and their contact info.
Thank u so much
Not much to report. I donated $1 through paypal to the Mark Butler foundation, just so I could leave a message in the comments section about how broke I am and I really need the PUA payments and that this $1 donation was going to make my account negative (not quite true, but close!) I also emailed a House of Representatives rep stating basically the same thing. No news. Take heart, folks. Surely one of our accounts is next on the list to be paid!
How long did it take for you to get your approval letter in the mail I had my phone call on October 15 the lady told me it takes 15 days from the time that I had my is that’s true
I keep getting notice that i can only backdate up to 8 weeks into past?
Where you able to fix it? I have the same error
No the system wouldn’t let me go past 8 weeks.
Have you receives any payments. I haven’t
Does anyone know the answer to the 8 week problem. How can we claim weekly benefits for March, April, May, etc when we cannot go back further than 8 weeks in the past. Has anyone heard in Georgia why this is happening and what the result will be. I started this whole process in July and have not seen one cent. I got the very same determination letter as Christy on Sept 14 saying I was eligible for benefits from2/2/20-12/26/20. How do I claim that if we can’t go past 8 weeks. And who in the world knows of a working telephone number. All the numbers I call say they are experiencing system failure.
I have not found out anything ! I can say that they are doing this to prevent fraud and you would have to talk to. Laims specoalist to receive back pay.
What is a liams specialist?
FYI.. I thought I was missing LWA payments beginning 09/12. If you read the LWA description for GA, the program ends 09/05. It was limited to 6 weeks.
Yes but alot of us have claims that say lwa was paid to us direct deposit along with regular ui when it never was only regular ui was paid what about that?
What I noticed when it comes to the $300 payment is that it is sporadic at best. When the $600 payments were made it was every week without any delay but since it has been turned over to Georgia I may get 2 to 3 weeks worth of payments after going without a payment for weeks. It’s hard to plan out anything because I never know when I’ll have money. And of course contacting anybody from the GA DOL is next to impossible neither are there any straight forward answers to a pay schedule on any website.
How long did it take to get the 1st payment after receiving your determination letter for PUA.
A month from August 27th
I applied on sept 15th,hopefully I see something on the 15th of oct.I received my card today
Well thank you for this, although they’re definitely appears to be no consistency in general, I’m still 3 days from the one month tomorrow so at least you gave me a few more days worth of hope, to say the least. Appreciated!
Princess Morrow
could you keep me posted if yours show up next week. i will do the same.
D.alex,
Have you gotten payment after you received Claim Examiner’s Letter as I had same question as you “how long after receiving letter or seeing paid payments do you actually get direct deposits in your account.”? I was watching to get an answer as my letter came in Friday 10/07/20 and 19 payments all showed paid on 10/06/2020 via direct deposit, now they all disappeared from the summaries section, except my LWA payments and 1 PUA payment from last week! Why would they #1 show paid and not deposit into my account and #2 disappear all of a sudden after already showing paid? Any response from anyone with something similar please comment, thank you!
if you get an answer to why please let me know. The same thing happened to me and was told to contact my local unemployment office. I left 2 messages and crickets…no call back!
Same Here Showed payed on 10/18 it is now 10/27 nothing in my account
Are you still waiting for the money to hit your account? Ive been trying for WEEKS to get my new claim worked out. Yesterday morning, I saw that they had “paid” me for all of the weeks I have been waiting, but I wake up today, and still no money in my account. Im getting pretty worried.
I applied Feb 4th and got an email saying it was received Feb 15th I got another email saying that it was processed. I checked the portal and they had processed all my back payments. I got a total of 14 checks- 7 regular and 7 additional 300.00. Took about 14 days. I kept doing my recertifications and I heard nothing because the site said they will move you from one program to another but it also said some may need an additional application so I just reapplied. No one called or anything and I just got the letter today in the mail saying I was approved. All I can say is just keep checking the site because if I didn’t check I would not have known I was approved until today when all year money came in last week!
I filed for ui and was denied so then I did the PUA application and was approved this was back in March I received 19 payments all the way up until 7-25-20 that’s when the $600 payments ended also and the next week nothing was deposited and nothing has been deposited up to the current date 10-4-20. I’ve requested payment every Sunday without fail! Can anyone help? I’ve called emailed and text anyone and everyone I could! Please give me info if possible on why all payments would just stop on 7-25-20.
Call the griffin or lagrange location, when the voicemail come on just press 0 and it will continue to send u back.i press 0 until someone answers or the phone hangs up.i call all day but I get through everytime.You don’t have to just call your assigned location
The exact same thing happened with me, I’ve sent dozens of emails with no avail I don’t know what else to do so I filed an appeal. This is beyond frustrating you can’t talk to anyone and no one return’s your email. Mine stopped on July 25 and I claim every Sunday it’s October and nothing
Is it because the CARES act expired July 31? Remember, the Republicans and Democrats were battling it out in Congress to try to agree on an extension or something else?
The same thing happened to me. My benefits ended on 7.25.20. I did not know why. I kept on submitting my claim every week. No money deposited. And because I was not getting any benefits in August, I did not receive my LWA wages either. On 9.25.20, I get a letter from GDOL saying my benefits have been appealed by my employer. I had a telephone hearing on 10.5.20. A decision was rendered in my favor on 10.9.20. Since I continued to file weekly even though I was receiving nothing, I am eligible to receive my back pay of regular UI benefits from the last week of July up until my re-instated date of 10.9.20. Plus the LWA since I qualified for it but was withheld due to the appeal. I filed my most recent claim on 10.11.20. I will continue to file every week but I doubt if I will see this back pay money any time soon.
I have been getting my weekly unemployment payments every week which is over the 100 dollar threshold to receive LWA I have not gotten any of this and I think that as I did my one time certification for LWA I mistakenly marked one of the questions wrong which seems to be the problem, now is there a way for me to correct this error as it will not let me recertify because it just gives me the one chance. I am not perfect and if I accidentally marked something wrong there should be a way to correct it. Has anyone experiencd this issue.
Georgia: Same for me you guys. This morning, Wednesday, September 30th 2020 makes the third week that I haven’t received a freaking red or brown cent of my lol $149 PUA Payments. They might be little, but it’s a lot when you need it. Besides, I can’t understand why I keep getting the LWA payments as scheduled, but the PUA which is supposed to be, like the FPUC, in addition to the LWA not in replacement of it, has come like clockwork.
The same thing is happening to me now, before the LWA payments came the PUA was coming every week, and since the LWA payments they just stopped. Please let me know if you find out any information it would be greatly appreciated.
Have you received any information about this? The exact same thing happened to me . I haven’t had a payment in 6 weeks, it stopped after the LWA payment came through. I still had 10 weeks left.