Unemployment Benefits

July 23, 2021

Financial Resources for New Mexicans During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Recovery

The pandemic and economic crisis have created financial hardships for many New Mexicans. Many families have had difficulty accessing the financial resources available to help meet basic needs. In response, we have created the Financial Resource Guide During COVID-19.

The guide is a comprehensive source of information about assistance—and New Mexicans’ rights to access it—available across the state now and in the future.

The guide includes information about programs funded through federal legislation like the American Recovery Plan Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, as well as long-standing state and local programs that can help families with food, housing, healthcare, child care, and more.

Access the resource guide here: http://nmpovertylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NMCLP-COVID-Guide.pdf

April 12, 2021

Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) Update

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is assistance available to those who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits. As relates to that need, the NM Dept of Workforce Solutions will open applications for Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) starting Wed, March 10.

Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) provides $100 in extra benefit to individuals with at least $5,000 in net income from self-employment in the tax year prior to their initial unemployment insurance claim.

Note: Under the American Rescue Plan Act, the deadline for MEUC applications has been extended to the first week of September.

Source: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info

January 14, 2021

$300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation added to eligible claims 1/2/2021

Read the full press release here

https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/News/Latest-News/300-federal-pandemic-unemployment-compensation-added-to-eligible-claims-starting-next-week

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) will start paying some unemployment benefits that are part of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

Starting with week ending January 2, 2021, claimants who are eligible to receive at least $1 on an unemployment program will also receive an additional $300 on top of their weekly benefit amount. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program will be provided to eligible claimants weekly until the program end date of March 13, 2021.

For those claimants who received a weekly benefit payment for week ending December 26 from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program with funds still available in their claim, they may start certifying for benefits again this Sunday, January 10, 2021. The department asks that individuals not call to inquire about the federal extension at this time. The department will provide further information to claimants on our official website (www.dws.state.nm.us) and through all communication channels as soon as it is available.

December 21, 2020

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE NEW MEXICO POVERTY LAW CENTER

Know your rights as a worker during the pandemic. You have rights to paid sick leave and family leave during the Covid 19 crisis. Find information about your rights, programs to help families, and advocacy to ensure that all New Mexicans have access to critical services at New Mexico Poverty Law Center. For Eviction Rights, Worker Rights, and Support Programs go to www.nmpovertylaw.org/covid-19-resources

November 4, 2020

Immigrant Families Fund

Millions of immigrants are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, risking their health and well-being every day to keep our society going. And yet, many immigrants were left out of the CARES Act relief. The COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund is providing financial support to immigrant families who have been left out of the federal government’s relief efforts. Immigrants may be eligible to receive a $500 grant to help cover whatever is most pressing in their lives.

Find out more at https://missionassetfund.org/

June 9, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Scams

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions warns Unemployment Insurance claimants to beware of scammers who may be seeking to steal personal information and/or Unemployment Insurance benefits. The ONLY legitimate way to file for Unemployment Insurance benefits in New Mexico is through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. There is NEVER a charge to file for unemployment insurance benefits.

Suspected fraud activities should be reported by calling the Unemployment Fraud Investigations line at (505) 243-7283.

Read the press release.

May 16, 2020

Miner Resource Task Force

Miner Resource Task Force was formed to pull together community and state resources for our miners and their families. The Facebook page will provide information as it is made available.

May 6, 2020

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Gig Economy Workers, Contractors, Self-employed

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a new temporary federal program under the CARES Act that provides benefits to individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Unemployment Insurance.

Visit the website.

May 6, 2020