$1200 DC PUA STIMULUS PAYMENT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the DC PUA stimulus payment?
The District of Columbia (DC) will provide a stimulus of $1200 to DC residents who are receiving
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). PUA recipients must have filed their PUA claim prior to
November 30, 2020, have an active claim, and must have certified and been eligible for the week ending
December 5, 2020.
2. What is PUA?
PUA covers individuals who are not eligible for traditional unemployment insurance (UI) benefits,
including the self-employed, those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work
history, independent contractors, gig economy workers; and those who have exhausted their benefit
eligibility under traditional UI, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and Extended
Benefits. PUA is set to expire on December 26, 2020.
3. How do I know if I qualify for the additional $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment?
You will qualify for the DC PUA stimulus payment if you meet all of the qualifications below:
a. You applied for PUA prior to November 30, 2020
b. You have an active PUA claim
c. You filed for and were deemed eligible to receive benefits for the week ending December 5, 2020
d. You are a DC resident
4. Am I eligible for the extra $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment if I applied for PUA after
November 30, 2020?
If you are a PUA recipient who applied for benefits after November 30, 2020, you will not be eligible to
receive the additional $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment.
5. Am I eligible for the extra $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment if I was found ineligible for
the week ending of December 5, 2020?
If you are a PUA recipient and you were deemed ineligible for the week ending December 5, 2020, or
if you did not certify for the week ending of December 5, 2020, you will not be eligible to receive the
additional $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment.
6. Am I eligible for the $1200 DC PUA stimulus if I am not a DC resident?
No, only DC residents are eligible to receive the additional $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment. Residents
of other states will not qualify.
7. I was receiving PUA earlier in the year, but I am no longer receiving benefits because I
have returned to work. Am I eligible for the stimulus payment?
No, you must have been eligible and receiving PUA as of November 30, 2020 to be eligible to receive the
$1200 DC PUA stimulus payment.
8. I have been and am currently receiving traditional unemployment. Am I eligible for the
$1200 DC PUA stimulus payment?
No, you must meet the criteria in question 3 to receive the $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment. This
stimulus payment is only being offered to DC residents receiving PUA as the federally funded program
will expire at the end of December 2020, while traditional unemployment can still be collected thereafter.
9. When will we receive the $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment, if we are eligible?
DOES is working diligently to modify our system to accommodate these changes. Your claim will be
automatically updated if you qualify for the additional $1200 DC PUA stimulus. No claimant action is
required to receive the payment.
10. Do I have to pay taxes on the extra $1200 DC PUA stimulus payment?
Yes, this payment is subject to local and federal taxes.
