Unemployment Information and Resources

Employers

Businesses and nonprofits are experiencing an unprecedented time of uncertainty. There are resources you may want to consider before laying off employees including Rapid Response, WorkShare and the Paycheck Protection Protection Program (PPP). If you have specific questions for the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance please direct them to uiemployerhelp@detma.org.

Unemployed/Underemployed

The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is processing a historic number of claims. If you have been laid off, we recommend signing up for a DUA Virtual Town Hall for FAQs and to hear questions answered in real-time.

Traditional Unemployment

Filing for Unemployment Insurance
COVID-19 unemployment information
If you have a question with your claim, please fill out the request form and someone will get back to you. You can also call the call center at 617-626-6800 or 877-626-6800.
https://www.mass.gov/forms/covid-19-department-of-unemployment-assistance-contact-request
Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is hosting Virtual Town Halls (some focused on PUA and some in Spanish), here is the link to sign up.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): Massachusetts residents who are eligible for the federal CARES Act and qualify for having exhausted their regular unemployment compensation may receive Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The PEUC program provides up to 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to individuals who have exhausted their previous unemployment benefits. Individuals who have exhausted their UI benefits on or after July 6, 2019 may receive PEUC. Visit www.mass.gov/peuc for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

1099 Contractors, Self-Employed, Gig Workers, etc.

Support

We also recommend you reach out to the MassHire Lowell Career Center. They have a number of resources available to help you during this trying time including webinars and a list of local area job openings.
The Tewksbury Job Seekers Networking Group meets every Monday at 2pm via Zoom. This is for anyone who is unemployed, underemployed or changing careers. To receive a zoom invite, email facilitator Robery Hayes at rhayes@tewksburypl.org.
Is the $600 Federal Unemployment money taxable? Yes, for those eligible for FPUC, the $600 payment is considered taxable income. States must include the FPUC payments when preparing Form 1099-Gs and must withhold taxes from an individual’s weekly benefit amount and the $600 payment when an individual elects to have taxes withheld.

Government Relief for Businesses, Individuals and Families

Taxes

Federal Taxes and Massachusetts State Taxes do not have to be filed or paid until July 15, 2020. If you ARE receiving a refund, you are encouraged to file ASAP. Here’s some useful information from the IRS.