COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS BEGIN
The IRS has begun issuing the first wave of Economic Impact Payments! These first checks will be directed to US Citizens (including resident aliens with a valid Social Security Number who filed a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019, received Social Security Retirement, Disability or Survivor benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits) AND have provided direct deposit information. Those individuals will automatically begin to receive their payments.
This Internal Revenue Service Website allows you to check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. By following this link, you can see your payment status, whether a direct deposit has been made or whether more information is needed, including bank account information.
If you are not required to file a federal return, the website also allows you to provide the necessary information to the IRS to determine your eligibility for an Economic Impact Payment. The second wave of payments will be deposited during the week of April 20, 2020 for people receiving Social Security Benefits via direct deposit but did not earn enough money to file a federal tax return in 2018 or 2019.
For those who have not provided direct deposit information, paper checks are expected to be mailed in late April or early May.
COVID-19 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION UPDATE
- Unemployment Compensation Benefits also continue to be available to a much larger portion of the workforce. This link – https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx – explains how to apply for:
- Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC).
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). This provides compensation for self-employed workers and independent contractors who have traditionally been ineligible for Pennsylvania UC benefits.
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). This pays to all eligible for Pennsylvania UC and PUA an additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). This pays an additional 13 weeks of UC benefits, beyond the regular 26 weeks already provided, for a total of 39 weeks of benefits.
If you have any questions regarding issuance of the Economic Impact Payments or any other COVID-19 related questions, we are available to help you at (570) 559-9110 or www.hgsklawyers.com.
