An increasing number of employers and businesses have furloughed employees due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, locking down nations after nations.
Furloughs are typically temporary but many employers and employees are finding themselves without a paycheck, wondering whether they qualify for unemployment insurance.
States often handle their unemployment insurance plans. However, Congress announced that furloughed employees do qualify for such financial benefits as long as their unemployment is associated with the ongoing pandemic.
In addition, Congress announced $600 per week onto unemployment benefits until the end of July.
Furloughs may feel like layoffs because it is unclear when the coronavirus lockdown will end. Both lockdown and furlough lead to a cessation of employment. However, employers use the term “furlough” when unemployment is temporary.
While there is no specific definition for what packages or benefits employers owe the employees, furloughed employees keep their health benefits in spite of losing their paychecks.
If you have become unemployed, the Department of Labor recommends you contact your state’s program at earliest.
Typically, it will take about two to three weeks to receive your first unemployment benefit check after your application.
Meanwhile, in the United States, unemployment claims have already shattered records.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits has surged to nearly 7 million last week.
Worldwide, the novel coronavirus has affected more than 1,016,300 and killed over 53,200 people so far. The United States officials reported 245,373 confirmed cases and 6,095 deaths so far.
