Did you ever think the day would come where the American government would pay you to stay home from work? Well, you’d better believe it because the coronavirus crisis has caused that to happen on a massive scale.
Suddenly, businesses have been told to close their doors and Congress is sending relief checks to all Americans. With all this chaos happening, many citizens are wondering – what are my unemployment rights during this unprecedented time? Has COVID-19 caused my rights to go out the window? Learn everything you need to know about unemployment in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 crisis below.
What Are My Rights if Coronavirus Made Me Lose my Job?
A record-breaking number of Americans are suddenly out of a job after the government ordered all non-essential businesses to temporarily close their doors. While these measures were put into place to protect the safety and health of all citizens, they’ve had some unintended consequences. Obviously, citizens who aren’t working and making an income can’t afford to pay their bills. These actions have left millions of Americans vulnerable. As a result, the government has put in several protections to prevent undue suffering. Here’s what you need to know about your rights even if you’re currently unemployed:
- Your utility provider cannot shut off your water, heat, or electricity during the crisis
- Unemployment benefits have been expanded to include many who weren’t eligible before
- Unemployed citizens are also being offered increased support during the crisis
- Banks must provide a grace period on loans and mortgages until the crisis passes
- Student loan payments have been suspended
- You cannot be evicted during this time
- You can take paid leave to support your family
These protections are meant to ensure no one loses their home or has their electricity shut off during the pandemic.
Additional Resources to Help You Through the Crisis
If you have any further questions about your rights, then you can reach out to our state’s Attorney General at 717-787-3391.