July 31st is the deadline for applying for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensations benefits.
The US Department of Labor awarded American Samoa $16.2 million for these assistance programs.
Deputy Director of Human Resources Makrita Enesi responded to KHJ News questions concerning the programs.
As of July 15, 820 people had applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits. Everyone can apply but not everyone is approved and eligible for benefits.
The PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits up until Dec 31, 2020.
The time period that a claimant can receive the FPUC benefit is more limited than the duration of PUA benefits.
For American Samoa, FPUC is payable only for weeks of unemployment or partial employment beginning on or after March 31, 2020. FPUC is not payable to any individual for any week of unemployment occurring after July 31, 2020.
Asked if any changes were made to the eligibility requirements to allow alien residents in the private sector to apply, Enesi said, “After several conference calls and contacts with USDOL, the eligibility requirements for alien residents remain the same. Only legal permanent residents or US “green” card holders are eligible.
The turnaround time between applying and getting assistance is about 4 – 5 weeks for the first check if certification if filed timely, all eligibility requirements are met, and no disqualification is in effect.
Any situation that conflicts with the law (fraud) will delay payments pending a fact-finding investigation. If the claim is denied, benefits will not be paid.
Asked for the dollar amount of approved claims Enesi said benefit amounts for each individual are different as they are retroactive to the date of partial (reduced hours) or full unemployment.
The effective dates for benefits started in February for PUA and March 31 or after for FPUC.
She said the Department of Human Resources will continue to accept initial applications for PUA/FPUC up until July 31, 2020.
No new applications will be accepted after July 31 except for those initial applicants who will be filing for PUA weekly benefits ($182) if they are still eligible.
Enesi issued the following notice concerning the PUA and FPUC.
DEADLINE FOR FPUC ($600) weekly payment is July 31, 2020. Please file your claims now. Contact DHR for further guidance and required documents to bring for eligibility determination.
All (3) designated sites (Samoana High School Gym, Aua Elementary Gym, Manulele Gym) which for filing claims are now closed but DHR will continue to accept applications at the Lumana’I Building, lst Floor. Hours are from 7:30 AM -4 PM, M-Friday.
(Landline phones are being installed w/internet, but you can contact Department of Human Resources at 633-4485, or Cell # 272-7763, 731-6331 or 733-5596.
For those claimants with pending eligibility due to missing documents, checkstubs, tax information, other income, please provide needed documents before July 31, 2020.
