Governor announces new unemployment benefits for about 60,000 workers

Just over 24 hours after officially taking the reins, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, along with Secretary of the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH), Carlos J. Rivera Santiago, announced the signing of an agreement that would awards. additional $ 100 per week to unemployed beneficiaries who belong to the salaried sector, but in turn generated self-employment income that reached or exceeded $ 5,000 in the taxable year 2019.

“I reiterate that my government will take advantage of all available and necessary resources so that Puerto Rican families receive economic relief from the loss of income caused by the effects of COVID-19. Part of our agenda is to identify and implement all those tools that improve the financial situation of our families and in turn boost the island’s economy. “the governor said in written statements.

The Mixed Unemployment Compensation Program (MEUC) directly benefits those workers who do not qualify for the PUA as they qualify for unemployment.

“We determined that approximately 60,000 people could qualify for the requirements, representing an economic impact of approximately $ 65 million. I thank the governor for the diligence with which I sign such an important initiative, ”said the Minister of Labor.

Requirements and instructions for participating in the program will be published in the coming weeks.