31st March 2020
We are currently trying to find out if the new Federal CARES Bill will now include graduate student appointments in its scope of employees qualifying for unemployment benefits. Historically, graduate workers have been excluded from unemployment, and it remains to be seen how the state is interpreting this bill. No one has been able to confirm what this means yet. However, it is clear that for those graduate students with off campus jobs, on campus hourly wage jobs (non-GEO eligible), etc., that work qualifies for unemployment.
Further, if you have a J1 or F1 visa, you are eligible and unemployment and it does not count as a public charge.
According to the Department of Unemployment Assistance, “These benefits are not yet available and DUA is awaiting information from the federal government about when they will begin.” So you cannot yet apply for unemployment. However, when you can, you can apply for replacement of your lost wages retroactively (dating back to when you incurred the losses).
GEO staff will share information for you as we are able, and hope to find that graduate work will finally be included under this pandemic-response bill. More soon.
