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Federal coronavirus relief payments arrive

The additional unemployment payments funded through the federal coronavirus relief package have begun making their way to Pennsylvania’s furloughed workers.

The state Department of Labor and Industry sent out the first payments of $600 on top of standard Pennsylvania unemployment benefits April 10, according to a news release. Unemployed workers are eligible for up to 13 weeks of these additional payments between April 4 and July 25.

Additionally, the labor department expects its system for unemployed self-employed, or gig workers to be up within two weeks. While these types of workers are typically ineligible for unemployment, the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program makes them eligible for both standard jobless benefits and the additional $600 payments.

While the program will be unavailable until its launch, applicants can have their benefits back-dated to either Jan. 27 or the first week they were unable to work, whichever is later. PUA benefits expire Dec. 31.

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