State officials announced that unemployed Arkansans who have applied for state benefits will begin receiving an extra $600 weekly payment by mid-week. More than 100,000 Arkansans may begin receiving the payment as soon as the end of the week.
Approximately 118,000 self-employed and individual contract employees will also be eligible for the supplemental payments if they have lost work due to the coronavirus. Over the past two weeks, about 37,000 joblessness claims have been filed in Arkansas.
Based on a worker’s salary history, unemployment benefits range from $81 to $451 per week in Arkansas and will be paid out over a 16-week period. The additional federal supplement $600 will be added to a weekly payment from the state.
Final regulations were issued over the weekend to guide states in setting up their programs to distribute the additional unemployment payment to individuals.
Payments will be set up through either direct deposit or added to a debit card. Self-employed workers and individual contractors will be provided with updates on how to file a claim in the coming weeks.
Supplemental benefits for the self-employed and individual contractor group are broader than traditional unemployment insurance payments. They will receive $600 per week, but the benefits will be paid through the need of the year, expiring on Dec. 31. Furthermore, the group is eligible to receive another $133 per week since the state has been declared a natural disaster area.
Arkansans should check the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services website for information and updates. Full details, including answers to frequently asked questions, are available at dws.arkansas.gov.
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