GDOL Director David Dell’Isola answers Frequently Asked Questions about PUA

PUA OVERPAYMENT WAIVER INFORMATION:

Hafa adai!

The deadline to apply for the PUA Waiver of Overpayment is no later than August 1, 2022. You may download the application below.

Please fill out the application to the best of your ability and refrain from leaving any blank spaces. If the questions do not apply to you, you may put “N/A” or “None”. If your application has been received with blank spaces, your application will be returned back to you for completion.

We DO NOT accept e-signatures. We require an original signature for your application to be accepted.

You may also provide additional documentation to support your waiver application. Additional documentation will assist with the decision making process.

After completing the form, you may submit the application to the GCIC building 8th Floor, Suite 802, located in Hagatna OR email the completed application to pua.waivers@nulldol.guam.gov 

 *Please note that should you have an appeal or an appeal pending, you must complete the appeal process before we may proceed with your waiver application.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at pua.overpayment@nulldol.guam.gov or pua.waivers@nulldol.guam.gov.

Disclaimer: This is only an application for a waiver. All applications will go through a process of determination. The application is not guaranteed to be waived. Any misinformation that you provide is subject to legal penalties and may result in prosecution under the law. 

Click here to access the PUA Overpayment Waiver Application

Resume Builder Tutorial for Hireguam.com

PUA Work Search Video Tutorial for Weekly Certifications

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PUA PROGRAM UPDATES

1.  APPEAL INFORMATION– Click here for information on the PUA  Appeals process
 
2.  END OF PUA PROGRAM– Pursuant to federal guidance, 10/6/21 was the last day to file new PUA claims.  10/27/21 was the last day to file any weekly claim certifications and Expanded Eligibility Declarations
 
3. CLOSE OUT PROCESSING: GDOL will continue to process pending appeals, overpayments, overpayment waivers & associated refunds until all matters are resolved. 
 
4.  PAYMENTS:  Any refunds resulting from Waived Overpayments or any regular PUA payments resulting from appeals decisions shall be paid via paper check.  Claimants will be notified when any checks are available for pickup. 

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CLAIMANT GUIDANCE ON WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENT

Click here for detailed guidance on the PUA work search requirement

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PUA WORK SEARCH REQUIRED FORM – Record of Contacts Made for Work

In preparation for the starting of the requirement for PUA claimants to conduct 3 work search contacts per week, we have made the Record form available for download so PUA claimants can be prepared to keep their record as required in regulations.  Stay tuned to this website or the local media for announcements on when the required work search will be officially implemented.

Click here to Download Fillable PDF Form

How to Register on Hireguam.com as an Employer

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How to Create a Basic Job Order on Hireguam.com

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Guam DRT Issues Guidance on How to Report New Exclusion of Up to $10,200 of Unemployment Compensation

$10,200 PUA Tax Exclusion Guidance

(GDOL) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Benefits Reports

Overview Report
Demographics Report

USDOL publishes guidance on three NEW PUA qualifying criteria

On 2/25/21 USDOL issued Unemployment Insurance Program Letter 16-20, Change 5 which includes three newly created eligibility categories.
Of most concern is the new category which covers unemployed workers who are working at reduced hours, as a result of the pandemic or who are on a temporary layoff (furlough) or who were permanently laid off by an employer who’s place of employment is open.
Click here for interim guidance from Guam DOL on reduced hours
Click here to read UIPL 16-20, Change 5.

GDOL issues information on the Continued Assistance Act of 2020

The Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) is preparing to administer the new Continued Assistance Act of 2020 (CAA) to Guam claimants.  Signed into law by President Donald Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, the second relief package extends federal unemployment programs including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
The information below is based upon the most recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor and GDOL is expecting further guidance to be issued. This website will be updated frequently.

Overview and Implementation Details

The second COVID relief package extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program from Dec. 27, 2020, through April 5, 2021. The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program will be reinstated from  Dec. 27, 2020 to March 13, 2021. 
The new law extends the benefit cap from 39 weeks to 50 weeks, adding an additional 11 weeks of benefits to qualified individuals. Claimants from the first COVID relief program who maxed out their benefit can now qualify for another 11 weeks starting Dec. 27, 2020 if their employment and income continues to be affected as a direct result of COVID-19.
Guam’s PUA Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) remains at $345 a week and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) will provide 11 weeks of an additional $300 weekly benefit on top of the $345 PUA WBA to eligible claimants.

Information on reporting an individual’s Refusal of Work

Employers who wish to report individuals who have refused work may complete a form to report the situation. Click here for more information.

PUA Benefit Rights Information – Updated 9-30-2022

PUA/FPUC/LWA – APPEAL INFORMATION

Employer Registration Module Available Now!

As part of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act, the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) will stand up the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program that will assist thousands of individuals whose jobs have been impacted by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program

The Government of Guam, along with the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), is currently working with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to create the guidelines and application process for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

The PUA program provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of COVID-19. Direct result means loss of employment or self-employment because of a reason directly related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The PUA program, in general, provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits. Guam’s PUA Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) is $345 a week. Employees who have been laid off or furloughed due to COVID-19 qualify for the full amount. Employees still working but making less than $345 a week qualify for PUA minus their wages. Those making $345 or more do not qualify for PU

The process for applying also is currently being created by both the USDOL and GDOL. Mandatory quarantine procedures are also taken into consideration to ensure the safety of everyone and to create the best possible option.

GDOL YouTube channel – click here for more videos!

Tutorial: PUA Application Process & Weekly Certifications – Video

PUA Filing a Claim: Top 10 Mistakes – Video

PUA Factsheet

PUA Eligibility

PUA FAQs

Employer HireGuam Registration Infographic

HireGuam Employer Guide

PUA’s Earnings Disregard Explained – Video

PUA Document Checklist

If you have information about possible PUA fraud, you may report such information by email at  PUA.fraud@nulldol.guam.gov
 

Lost Wages Assistance Program

Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) is a federal program that adds $300 of unemployment benefits for up to six weeks. President Donald Trump established the LWA program, a temporary addition to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. It replaces the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, which expired at the end of July that provided an additional $600 to unemployment benefits.

CLICK LINK FOR FAQ: LWA Frequently Asked Questions

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) is an emergency program designed to increase unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, including Guamanians, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the FPUC, eligible people will get an extra $600 in federal benefits each week from the start of April until July 31, 2020.An individual is eligible for the full $600 weekly payment if the individual receives one dollar ($1) or more in PUA.

An individual is eligible for the full $600 weekly payment if the individual receives one dollar ($1) or more in PUA.