MADISON – Last night, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) received official guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor allowing Wisconsin workers who also receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to qualify for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is encouraging individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and whose work was affected by COVID-19 to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits today. Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement:

“This is great news for the many people across Wisconsin who work and receive SSDI, who were previously unable to receive any form of unemployment insurance in our state. I introduced LRB-6244 two weeks ago to allow Wisconsin workers receiving SSDI to also qualify for Unemployment Insurance if they lose employment through no fault of their own. While I am grateful for this interim solution, I will continue to advocate for the legislature to return to session to permanently address this and other long term issues with our unemployment system.

“Thanks to the many constituents and advocates from across the state who fought for this change. We have a lot of work left to do to allow everyone to make ends meet in this incredibly challenging time.”

If you or someone you know lost employment due to COVID-19 and also receives SSDI, visit this link to apply for PUA: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/uiben/pua/apply/.

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