State by state, the impact of the recent CARES Act will affect sports officials differently. It is our ultimate goal to provide you with detailed information from every state on how they are implementing the Act and what it means for you. If you don’t see specific information from your state yet, please continue to monitor this page for updates.
Please keep in mind that each state will vary in how it will process claims. While many, if not all, will deny unemployment claims for independent contractors, in many cases the application process will trigger the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) offered through the CARES Act and the Federal Government. Officials will need to show proof of income lost through the Pandemic in order to receive payments (up to a $600 weekly payment).
It will vary from state-to-state what an official is asked to provide, however, our recommendation is to have the following documentation available when you intend to file:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your State Driver’s License or identification card
- All 2019 Form 1099s (or 2018 if your 2019 return has yet to be filed)
- Schedule C from your 2019 Tax Return (or 2018 if your 2019 return has yet to be filed)
- Schedule of games lost and corresponding payment amounts.
Submit Information
If you have specific information from your state that we do not have listed, please send us the information here.
State By State Resources And Information
Alabama – Learn more about Alabama state unemployment resources
Alaska – Learn more about Alaska state unemployment resources
Arizona – Learn more about Arizona state unemployment resources
Arkansas – Learn more about Arkansas state unemployment resources
NOTE: Arkansas is currently in the process of building the system to accept PUA applications and to make payments to claimants. Workers covered by the PUA were not previously eligible for unemployment assistance and do not need to use our EZARC system to apply for the PUA.
Individuals are encourage to apply for notifications from the state by filling out the following information for updates directly from the state.
https://arkansasdws.formstack.com/forms/pua_information
California – Learn more about California state unemployment resources
NOTE: Step by step directions courtesy of RefUnion
Colorado – Learn more about Colorado state unemployment resources
Connecticut – Learn more about Connecticut state unemployment resources
NOTE: Update as of April 17, 2020: On April 20, 2020, we will begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), paying the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits and launch other new points of access for unemployed workers to obtain information. Self-employed and gig workers: you will need to provide either a 2018 or 2019 tax return as part of your application. Claimants do not need to take action to receive the additional $600 weekly benefit amount. More information will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
Please join us for a UI Virtual Town Hall and get answers to your most frequently asked questions including PINs, benefits to gig workers and self-employed and an update on the additional $600 benefit available from the CARES Act.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/unemployment
Delaware – Learn more about Delaware state unemployment resources
District of Columbia – Learn more about District of Columbia state unemployment resources
Florida – Learn more about Florida state unemployment resources
Georgia – Learn more about Georgia state unemployment resources
Hawaii – Learn more about Hawaii state unemployment resources
Idaho – Learn more about Idaho state unemployment resources
Illinois – Learn more about Illinois state unemployment resources
NOTE: Illinois independent contractors should not file for unemployment at this time. Additional information will be forthcoming on how to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
Indiana – Learn more about Indiana state unemployment resources
NOTE: Guidance on how to select your “employer” as an independent contractor. More Indiana State Resources
Iowa – Learn more about Iowa state unemployment resources
Kansas – Learn more about Kansas state unemployment resources
Kentucky – Learn more about Kentucky state unemployment resources
Louisiana – Learn more about Louisiana state unemployment resources
Maine – Learn more about Maine state unemployment resources
Maryland – Learn more about Maryland state unemployment resources
NOTE: The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) is excited to announce the launch of the BEACON one-stop unemployment insurance application, where all types of claims can be filed entirely online.
The BEACON One-Stop will allow claimants to file claims for many unemployment benefit programs through a single application, including those who are eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, and individuals who were previously required to file by phone.
http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/uibeaconone.shtml
Massachusetts – Learn more about Massachusetts state unemployment resources
NOTE: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA will provide up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not working as a result of COVID-19 and are self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others who otherwise would not qualify for regular UC or EB under state or federal law or PEUC. These individuals will not be able to claim benefits directly through the UI Online System in Massachusetts, as of this time. The Department of Unemployment Assistance has engaged a vendor to build a new platform to disburse PUA benefits. The platform is expected to begin accepting PUA claims on or around April 30, 2020. Eligible claimants under PUA will be retroactively compensated with this benefit beginning February 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19, whichever date is later. The last week this benefit is payable is the week ending December 26, 2020.
Next Steps For Claimants: Eligible claimants should continue to check for updates at mass.gov/unemployment/covid-19 on the new platform, which will be ready this month. Once the system is up and running, eligible claimants will receive this benefit backdated to February 2, 2020, or the first week a claimant was unable to work as a result of COVID-19.
Michigan – Learn more about Michigan state unemployment resources.
Minnesota – Learn more about Minnesota state unemployment resources
NOTE: Minnesota plans to have a system set up to handle independent contractor claims by April 30. Learn More
Mississippi – Learn more about Mississippi state unemployment resources
Missouri – Learn more about Missouri state unemployment resources
NOTE: Do not apply at this time. If you meet the requirements set out by the US Department of Labor for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. The Missouri Department of Labor received guidance late on Sunday, April 5, 2020 about the PUA program. Because of the complexity of the PUA, the Missouri Department of Labor will need to analyze the information to effectively set up programming to implement the federal guidance. Missouri is proceeding as quickly as possible to put programming in place to process these claims. Individuals who are eligible for PUA will also receive the $600 federal supplement. The $600 payment will be made retroactive to claims filed on or after March 29. If you have recently filed an unemployment claim and were deemed ineligible because of a lack of earnings, you would have received a notice that you are not an insured worker. Specific documentation of proof of income will be required under the PUA for self-employed individuals. Additional information about the PUA will be available soon. Please check back for updates.
Montana – Learn more about Montana state unemployment resources
Nebraska – Learn more about Nebraska state unemployment resources
Nevada – Learn more about Nevada state unemployment resources
NOTE: Do not file at this time until programming changes related to PUA have been implemented.
New Hampshire – Learn more about New Hampshire state unemployment resources
New Jersey – Learn more about New Jersey state unemployment resources
NOTE: PUA benefits for self-employed and independent contractors are still not available. The New Jersey Labor Department is “working to bring all these new programs online to be available to PUA applications as soon as possible” per a department spokesman.
New Mexico – Learn more about New Mexico state unemployment resources
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The application for unemployment insurance benefits for SELF-EMPLOYED, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, and GIG ECONOMY WORKERS will become available SUNDAY, April 26, 2020. These benefits are being offered through the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Eligible workers should begin the process NOW by applying for regular UI benefits.
See more info in FAQs at https://www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info
PUA is payable for weeks of unemployment, partial unemployment, or inability to work caused by COVID-19 related reasons beginning on or after January 27, 2020.
New York – Learn more about New York state unemployment resources
NOTE: See also More New York State Resources
North Carolina – Learn more about North Carolina state unemployment resources
NOTE: Do not file claims until additional programming can be completed. Anticipated date is April 25, 2020.
North Dakota – Learn more about North Dakota state unemployment resources
NOTE: At this point, the system has not been setup to process independent contractor claims.
Ohio – Learn more about Ohio state unemployment resources
NOTE: While PUA benefit processing is not expected to be setup fully until mid-May, they have begun allowing individuals to pre-register for such benefits.
To pre-register for the PUA program, click here. The pre-registration tool allows you to get in line early and pre-register your account, so that as soon as we launch our claims processing tool in mid-May, you can log in and complete your application.
All benefits will be retroactive to the date you became eligible, as far back as February 2, 2020. Note that the additional $600 per week is available from March 29 through July 25, 2020.
Oklahoma – Learn more about Oklahoma state unemployment resources
Oregon – Learn more about Oregon state unemployment resources
See also: More Oregon State Resources
Pennsylvania – Learn more about Pennsylvania state unemployment resources
NOTE: Pennsylvania PUA portal is now open and accepting claims. LEARN MORE
Rhode Island – Learn more about Rhode Island state unemployment resources
South Carolina – Learn more about South Carolina state unemployment resources
South Dakota – Learn more about South Dakota state unemployment resources
NOTE: PUA claims cannot be taken yet. DLR is creating the application. Claims can be backdated if individual meets eligibility requirements.
Tennessee – Learn more about Tennessee state unemployment resources
Texas – Learn more about Texas state unemployment resources
Utah – Learn more about Utah state unemployment resources
NOTE: The PUA claims form is still not completed at this time. More Utah State Resources
Vermont – Learn more about Vermont state unemployment resources
Virginia – Learn more about Virginia state unemployment resources
See also: More Virginia State Resources
Washington – Learn more about Washington state unemployment resources
See also: Washington Stimulus Resources
West Virginia – Learn more about West Virginia state unemployment resources
See also: Learn more about West Virginia state unemployment resources
NOTE: West Virginia is working on a separate application for self-employed and independent contractors. The Governor’s Office will announce when it’s available.
Wisconsin – Learn more about Wisconsin state unemployment resources
NOTE: Wisconsin Independent Contractors may now begin filing for the PUA benefit. Visit WI PUA Site Here
Wyoming – Learn more about Wyoming state unemployment resources
PLEASE NOTE: Finding stimulus bill information specific to the situation sports officials are facing is not easy. NASO is doing its best, through our many contacts, to gather this information faithfully and present it to you accurately. If there is a mistake or inconsistency, we appreciate your patience as we continually update this page.
Submit Information
If you have specific information from your state that we do not have listed, please send us the information.