If your employer, public or private, has been paying into unemployment insurance, you are eligible. In addition to becoming unemployed, you are also eligible for unemployment benefits if:
You are quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional
You leave employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection
You leave employment to care for a family member
No medical documentation is required to collect unemployment during this public health emergency, but you must be available for work as you are able, and be willing to work remotely
Self-employed and independent contract workers, and some employees of non-profits, are not eligible for unemployment benefits. They will become eligible if the President makes a disaster unemployment declaration, which the Governor has formally requested. If passed, the federal stimulus legislation may also include provisions that make benefits available to this population
Unemployment can be collected for up to 26 weeks in any 52-week period. If you are currently collecting unemployment, benefits cannot be extended beyond the 26-week period. If passed, the federal stimulus legislation may include provisions that extend this benefit period
Applying for State Unemployment Assistance
It is recommended that you file your claim online via the Mass.gov website. If you have questions you can:
Visit the department's COVID-19 website for up-to-date information
Participate in a virtual town hall to have your questions about the unemployment system addressed. There is also an opportunity to ask individual questions
Applicants needing additional help with filing or resolving claims can Submit a Contact Request Form Online and a representative will be in touch with you
Representatives are available at 617-626-6338 but given the high volume of claims that are being filed, response times are much longer than usual. Staffing is being increased to meet this need, but all filers are encouraged to use online resources when possible
Unemployment Changes in Response to Covid-19
All requirements for attending seminars at the MassHire career centers have been suspended
Deadlines missed by employers and claimants due to impacts of COVID-19 may be excused under the Department of Unemployment Assistance's good cause provision
Employers whose businesses are severely impacted by COVID-19 can request extensions for filing and paying unemployment contributions
Work-search requirements will be interpreted to allow claimants affected by COVID-19 to collect benefits
All appeal hearings will be held only by telephone
Once a claim is approved, the one-week waiting period for payments has been eliminated
During COVID-19, identify verification and termination of income determinations have been suspended and self-declarations are allowed in certain cases.
Individuals who were due for recertification or renewal of benefits March to May are granted a 6-month extension.
Temporary Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
Low-income individuals with children (or pregnant with children) may be eligible for additional cash assistance:
Eligibility is determined by income and assets and may be Checked Easily Online. Generally speaking, maximum gross income for a family of 4 is $731 per month.
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled & Children (EAEDC)
Those over 65 years old and not receiving Social Security, are disabled and unable to work, or caring for a person with a disability, may be eligible for additional cash assistance:
Eligibility is determined by income, housing situation, and assets and EAEDC Eligibility May Be Checked Easily Online. Generally speaking, maximum gross income for a family of 4 that does not receive other assistance is $578 per month.
The Commonwealth is urging all public and private affordable housing operators to suspend non-essential evictions, and the state has moved to temporarily suspend termination of state and federal rental vouchers. The state Housing Court has ordered that all non-emergency evictions and foreclosures be re-scheduled to after April 21, 2020
New Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Expansion
The state has authorized $5 million in new spending for its RAFT rental assistance program which provides up to $4,000 per household (one time) to maintain housing stability or secure new arrangements. Regional agencies that administer the program can be found online at the Department of Housing and Community Development website. Eligible families must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and earning less than 50% of the area median income.
Foreclosures & Mortgages
The state Division of Banks has issued Guidance to Financial Institutions and Mortgage Lenders (PDF) to postpone foreclosures for at least 60 days and to forgive late mortgage payments for at least 60 days, in addition to other flexibility measures.
Those affected and concerned about payment or foreclosure should contact their mortgage provider as soon as possible.
The state Division of Insurance has ordered insurance carriers in Bulletin 2020-05 (PDF) to offer maximum flexibility to customers during the state of emergency, including relaxing due dates for premium payments, waiving late fees, and reducing administrative paperwork requirements.
All commercial insurers and the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC) are required to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner they cover in-person services.
Insurers must cover COVID-19 related treatment and testing without requiring cost-sharing of any kind - such as co-pays and coinsurance - for testing and treatment.
Insurers cannot require prior authorization for these services.
MassHealth coverage will be protected for all members throughout the duration of the state of emergency. MassHealth will not end coverage for any member until at least one month after the national emergency ends.
The federal tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15. More information can be found on the Coronavirus Tax Relief page.
To check the status of your Economic Impact Payment, update your information, and frequently asked questions can be found on the Economic Impact Payments page.