Pappas Promotes Unemployment Assistance, Insurance Aid

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help ease the economic burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is promoting new resources available for small business owners, contractors and others not typically eligible for standard unemployment benefits.

“For those facing serious economic hardships as a result of COVID-19, such as recently unemployed workers and small business owners, the new resources Illinois is providing could be extremely helpful. I encourage anyone facing these obstacles to utilize all the tools at their disposal to weather this problem,” Pappas said. “We need to face the spread of COVID-19 as a community and support each other whenever possible. The creation of this benefits program is an important step in that direction.”

Pappas is promoting new resources that are available for Illinoisans who are small business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state unemployment benefits. The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) allows these individuals to receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment insurance. Recipients must be out of business or have services significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. For more details and information on filing, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/ides.

“I’m committed to keeping our community strong and informed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pappas said. “People who are most seriously impacted can significantly benefit from the programs available.”