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COVID-19 Resources

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has determined that until further notice, Unemployment and MassHire Career Center Services are closed to walk-in traffic from the public but will remain open via online or telephone.  The week ending Saturday, July 25, 2020 is the last week for the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payment. The final $600 FPUC payment will be paid when eligible beneficiaries receive their payment for the week ending Saturday, July 25, 2020.   Eligible beneficiaries will continue to receive their regular benefit payments whether under regular Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).  If you have questions about your benefit payments please contact the Department of Unemployment Assistance.  See links below.

• For UI online go to: www.mass.gov/dua or call 1-617-626-6800
• For individuals having difficulty applying for UI, request a phone call: https://www.mass.gov/forms/covid-19-department-of-unemployment-assistance-contact-request
• A FAQ page is at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/employee-unemployment-faq-covid-19.
• An explanation of the various new types of unemployment benefit programs is here.
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Assistance (PEUC) provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits to an individual who has exhausted all rights to any regular unemployment compensation and who meets other eligibility requirements of the CARES Act and is now active.  To file a claim for PEUC, go to www.mass.gov/peuc, or call 1-617-626-6800
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus and is now on-line here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-pandemic-unemployment-assistance 
• Helpful information on PUA is here and here.
• New PUA Q&As – https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-unemployment-assistance-frequently-asked-questions

Anyone who needs help to apply for unemployment insurance can also get more information and assistance from our Hampden County MassHire One-Stop Career Centers as follows:

• www.masshirespringfield.org
• www.masshireholyoke.org

The MA COVID-19 Command Center is working with COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facilities (LTC) to recruit and hire health and human services professionals to care for COVID-19 patients.  To streamline this process, a Facility Staffing Portal for healthcare professionals to apply for job opportunities at LTC/post-acute sites across the state was created and can be accessed here: https://covid19ltc.umassmed.edu/

For a listing of the kinds of businesses that have been deemed as providing “essential services” from links below as updated by the state and links that provide regularly updated resources to businesses (along with our One-Stop Career Centers above):

• https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services
• https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses
• Western Mass List of Business Resources: Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties
• For employer’s questions on unemployment insurance there is an email: UIEmployerHelp@detma.org and https://www.mass.gov/info-details/employer-unemployment-faq-covid-19
• Guide for returning your workers – https://www.mass.gov/info-details/unemployment-insurance-benefits-and-returning-to-work-guide-for-employers
• Resources from the EDC of Western MA – https://www.westernmassedc.com/about-us/covid-19-resources/

See link for brochure to United Way of Pioneer Valley Thrive Program, their Financial Coaching program that may be helpful in these difficult financial times.

New guidance on Face Mask requirements can be found here.

For support services related to COVID-19, please contact 211.