EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is reminding residents that independent contractors and employees in the “gig economy” can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“Entrepreneurs can receive much needed assistance during this financially difficult time,” Belt said. “The assistance will help people affected reduce some of their financial hardship and provide them with unemployment benefits.” 

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides up to 39 weeks of federally funded unemployment benefits to individuals not typically eligible for unemployment benefits. In order to be eligible for the PUA program, applicants must first prove they are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance through IDES. After being denied for unemployment insurance, applicants will be considered for the PUA program. People can file for unemployment insurance here or call 800-244-5631.

Read more: Belt encourages independent contractors to apply for new unemployment program

 Workers at traditional businesses

On April 6, the Illinois Department of Employment Security began disbursing Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) funds, which was the first week that payments were allowed by the federal government. FPUC provides an additional $600 each week in 100% federally funded benefits to anyone entitled to regular state unemployment benefits. FPUC benefits are available for weeks beginning on or after March 29, 2020 and continuing through the week ending July 25, 2020. Pursuant to federal legislation, this $600 will not be retroactively applied to unemployment claims that arose prior to March 29, 2020.

Those who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits of up to 26 weeks are now eligible for an additional 13 weeks’ worth of 100% federally funded benefits called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). IDES received guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor on April 10 and expects to have the program fully implemented the week of April 20.

Read more: Unemployment Benefits

EAST ST. LOUIS – Building on robust efforts to address the health and safety of residents in the metro east during the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Christopher Belt, D-Cahokia, and State Representative LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, announced the opening of a COVID-19 testing site in East St. Louis.   

“This pandemic has exposed the harsh and grim reality of subpar healthcare that has led to glaring comorbidity rates for citizens residing in impoverished communities, particularly for African Americans. Access to quality healthcare must be a right of every single person in this country, no matter what their socioeconomic status or zip code.” said Senator Belt.  

Read more: Belt and Greenwood Announce COVID-19 Testing Facility

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced Tuesday that eligible SNAP recipients will receive additional benefits beginning this week. 

“No family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from during this health crisis,” Belt said. “This additional SNAP support will go a long way for families and relieve some of their worries as they continue to provide necessary meals.”

More than 450,000 Illinois residents will receive additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The increased amount will automatically load onto their link cards. Link card holders do not need to call or visit an office. All new applications authorized in April will also receive the maximum allotment for their household size.

Read more: Belt announces that SNAP recipients will receive additional benefits during COVID-19 pandemic