Due to COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus), my employer placed me on furlough, forced me to take unpaid leave, or ended my employment. What can I do?
You may file a claim for Unemployment Insurance benefits with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Unemployment Office.
In order to qualify for benefits, you must:
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own.
- Be able, available, and actively seeking work.
- Have earned $2,500 during your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the start of your claim).
If you are temporarily out of work and plan to return to the same employer, you do not need to meet the usual requirement of looking for work while you are collecting UI benefits. However, if you are not connected to a certain employer with a job to return to, you are required to look for work while collecting UI benefits.
For more information about Unemployment Insurance benefits, including eligibility requirements and how to file a claim, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor Unemployment Guide site.
Unemployment is experiencing an unprecedented number of claims so make sure to save your claim often. If you are receiving error messages, try filing your claim in the middle of the night or very early in the morning. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment requests:
- If your last name begins with the letters A-M, file a claim on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or after noon on Saturday.
- If your last name begins with the letters N-Z, file a claim on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or before noon on Saturday.
What if my employer hasn’t ended my employment, but has significantly reduced my hours?
What if my employer hasn’t ended my employment, but has significantly reduced my hours?
You can still apply for and receive partial unemployment insurance, if you are working fewer than 32 hours a week and are earning less than the weekly unemployment benefit amount.
Can I apply for unemployment if my employer reduced my salary?
No. If you are still a full-time employee, you do not qualify for unemployment benefits. You must still receive at least minimum wage, and your employer cannot reduce your salary retroactively or without telling you.
I have been let go from my main job, but I have a second job that I am still working. Can I receive unemployment benefits?
You can still apply for and receive partial unemployment insurance, if you are working fewer than 32 hours a week and are earning less than the weekly unemployment benefit amount.
Can I apply for unemployment if I have tested positive for COVID-19 and am quarantined for 14 days and cannot work?
Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act you are eligible to take up to two weeks (80 hours, or a part-time employees two week equivalent) of sick leave if:
- Your employer has under 500 employees.
- You have worked for your employer for at least 30 days.
- You are subjected to a quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 or have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19.
This poster from the Department of Labor provides additional information regarding employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act).
Can I apply for unemployment if I have symptoms associated with COVID-19 and my employer asked me to self-quarantine and I cannot work?
Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act you are eligible to take up to two weeks (80 hours, or a part-time employees two week equivalent) of sick leave if:
- Your employer has under 500 employees.
- You have worked for your employer for at least 30 days.
- You are subjected to a quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 or have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19.
This poster from the Department of Labor provides additional information regarding employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act).
Can I apply for unemployment if I quit my job because I am in an at-risk group and my job was potentially exposing me to COVID-19?
If your medical provider tells you to self-isolate, you may apply for a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim, the State of Colorado should be providing more information on how to file that type of claim soon.
Can I apply for unemployment if I have symptoms associated with COVID-19 and my employer asked me to self-quarantine and I cannot work?
If your medical provider tells you to self-isolate, you may apply for a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim, the State of Colorado should be providing more information on how to file that type of claim soon.
Can I get unemployment benefits even though I’m not technically an employee (self-employed, independent contractor, gig-economy worker, employees of a nonprofit church or other religious organization), or if I’ve already exhausted the normal unemployment benefits?
Yes, the system is up and running as of April 20, 2020. These benefits, made possible through the federal CARES Act, are available for you if you are self-employed, an independent contractor, a gig-economy worker, an employee of a non-profit or religious organization, or if you have already exhausted your normal unemployment benefits. Please check here for the latest information.
Rachel Ellis has some great guidance for those of you applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Benefits:
What if I am undocumented? How can I get income if I cannot work?
Unfortunately, undocumented workers cannot get Unemployment Insurance benefits. Only individuals with legal authorization to work in the U.S. are eligible for Unemployment Insurance (for example, asylees, refugees, DACA recipients, individuals with temporary protected status, lawful permanent residents (even if their green card has expired), and individuals who have been issued an Employment Authorization Document while their application for legal immigration status is pending).
______________________________________________________________________________
Additional Resources
- Chart of COVID-19 Pandemic Scenarios & Benefits Available by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
- COVID FAQs for Colorado Employees
- List of sites complied by Livelihood Law on a number of different COVID-19 related issues
_______________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
Please be advised that due to the U.S. being in a state of emergency, laws and associated enforcement procedures are rapidly changing. This information is intended to provide accurate, general information regarding legal rights relating to employment in Colorado. Livelihood Law cannot ensure the information is current, but we will make efforts to update as the situation continues to evolve. This is general information and not legal advice, so do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney or the appropriate agency about your particular situation.
