Cornavirus Resources: Employment & Career

Apr 24, 2020

Resources, tips, and other information in Massachusetts related to the current crisis, categorized by the five pillars of our Bridge to Self-Sufficiency®. This post covers the Employment & Career pillar.

We’re providing resources, tips, and other information related to COVID-19 in Massachusetts, categorized by the five pillars of our Bridge to Self-Sufficiency®.

We covered Housing and Family under the Family Stability pillar, Physical and Mental Health under the Well-Being pillar, Financial Management, and Education & Training. This week covers resources that fall under the fifth and final pillar of the Bridge - Employment & Career.

Click here to see all resource categories.

Click here for FAQ from MA Attorney General Maura Healey’s office on employee rights and employer obligations regarding COVID-19.

Unemployment

Note: If you believe you were unfairly fired from a job or are currently working but believe your employer is not following labor laws (not paying you correctly or for overtime, not giving you breaks or access to sick time and other types of leave, retaliating against you, etc.), contact the MA Attorney General’s Fair Division hotline at 617-727-3465 (TTY 617-727-4765) for help. Click here for more information and to file a complaint. All workers, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights in Massachusetts.

Applying for Unemployment in MA

If you have been laid off, terminated, or have experienced a significant decrease in hours, you may be eligible to receive unemployment assistance. NOTE: Unemployment benefits are not usually considered a public charge.

  • Apply: The quickest way to file a successful unemployment claim is through the state’s online portal. You can also call the Department of Unemployment Assistance at 877-626-680 (open Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m–12 p.m. Multilingual call agents are available).
    • Click here for a step-by-step guide to filing a new unemployment claim
    • Click here for more information and the latest updates.
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.
    • Click here to apply online.
    • You can also call the Department of Unemployment Assistance at 877-626-680 (open Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m–12 p.m. Multilingual call agents are available).
    • Click here for more information, including what information you need for the application.

Help Applying

  • If you have questions and need assistance, click here for more information, call 617-603-1530 (español) or 617-603-1639 (all other languages), or fill out this short form and someone from Greater Boston Legal Services will contact you.
  • Sign up for one of the MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)’s daily town halls leading applicants through a step-by-step process of a successful unemployment claim.
  • If you have already applied for unemployment and have questions for DUA about your case, fill out this form and someone will call you.
    • Keep your phone near with the volume on, and answer when DUA calls (usually from 617-626-6800). DUA will not call back if you miss the call, unless you submit another request.

Changes Made to Unemployment Assistance

  • The MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) will now pay workers who are ordered to quarantine themselves or leave work because of risk, exposure, or infection will be paid.
  • People will also be paid if leaving work to care for a family member.
  • If you had to quit your job due to reasons related to COVID-19, you may eligible for unemployment benefits.
  • While employees are still asked to work when able, they will not need to provide any medical documentation for their leave.
  • Some requirements around current unemployment claims have been relaxed, allowing many workers who are affected by closures to get some relief faster.
  • The one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits has been waived as of March 18, effective immediately, allowing new unemployment claims to be paid more quickly.
  • Click here to read more.

Federal CARES Act

  • Under the CARES Act, effective March 27, workers are receiving an additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits until July 31, 2020. Some people have started receiving this additional benefit. Others should be receiving it soon, and it will be retroactive.
  • The maximum number of weeks one can receive full unemployment inusurance benefits is 30; however, the CARES Act provides an additional 13 weeks, if needed.
  • For more information and updates about unemployment insurance and COVID-19, see MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Public Assistance

  • If you are currently receiving public assistance, such as SNAP, and have lost hours at work, let the overseeing agency, such as DTA, know that you have experienced a decrease in income.
  • If you previously did not qualify for public assistance, but have lost wages, you may now be eligible. Feel free to apply!

Looking for Work

Most employers have needed to close or cut hours, so the likelihood of being hired at this time is slim. If you need work and are able to do so, the best places to look are:

  • Grocery Stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Takeout/fast food restaurants
  • Health care
  • If you are a native English speaker and have a Bachelor’s degree, you may want to consider teaching English online. Try Qkids or DaDa.
  • Newmarket Jobs Initiative (for job seekers 18-40 years old living in, or originally from, Roxbury, Dorchester, or Mattapan)

Remote job search sites:

Working from Home