November 23, 2020
What’s Going On with the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, is back in the Supreme Court this year and the court heard oral arguments last Tuesday, November 10. The case, California V Texas, is challenging the constitutionality of the law’s “individual mandate” that requires everyone purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. The case will likely be decided in June. In this short article, we will explore the legal challenge and it’s potential outcome and consequences.
Read MoreNovember 7th, 2020
All Member Meeting: What Do We Do Now?
Saturday November, 7th @ 10am – 11:30am Register here:https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScrRJXoRv5YtY…/viewform We don’t need to tell you what this election season means, what’s at stake, or how the outcome will affect you and your loved ones. What we want to do is provide a space where we can lay all of this bare, share the fear/rage/hope in…
Read MoreOctober 2, 2020
Workers Support Hotline Shut Down October 2nd thru November 9th 2020
The Southern Maine Workers’ Center is suspending the worker support hotline service beginning Friday, Oct 2nd until Monday, November 9th. We are using this time to do a much needed overhaul of our volunteer program, intake process and legal referral system. Since the pandemic began in late March the hotline has experienced a surge in…
Read MoreOctober 1, 2020
Voting Resources 2020
Find the answer to questions the people you talk to have in the links below, or let people know the websites if they want to search for it themselves. General from League of Women Voters: www.lwvme.org/VoteInMaine Includes the following subjects (all linked from the website above): Voter Eligibility • Student Voting • Register to Vote…
Read MoreSeptember 22, 2020
Document: Unemployment Insurance for Workers Impacted by Covid-19
Written by Maine Equal Justice. Often people think they aren’t eligible for Unemployment Insurance when they really are. If you worked for an employer and earned at least $5,141 during the last year, you may be eligible. The best way to find out is to apply.
Read MoreSeptember 22, 2020
Document: General Covid Information, Answers & Resources
Written by Maine Equal Justice. Clear information about a range of important topics including employment resources, health care access, general assistance, housing, TANF, social security, food security, the courts and legal system, stimulus payments, and more.
Read MoreSeptember 21, 2020
Infographic: I don’t feel safe going to work. Can I still get unemployment benefits?
Many workers are concerned about going back to work or taking a job. They do not feel safe because of COVID-19. They are asking if they can continue to get unemployment benefits if they believe the workplace is unsafe.
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2020
Am I required to look for work in order to receive unemployment benefits?
Starting August 9, 2020, workers who are permanently separated from their employer (i.e. cannot or do not expect to return to their former employer when it is safe to do so, including self-employed workers who do not intend to return to their self-employment) must engage in work search activities and document those activities when they…
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2020
I lost my job during the pandemic, but I have not yet applied for benefits. Am I still eligible? How do I apply?
Depending on your previous income, the circumstances of leaving your job, and current unemployment status, you may be entitled to back benefits as far back as February 5, 2020 as long as your claim is COVID-19 related. If you have not filed a claim yet, fill out this form from Maine Equal Justice to get…
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2020
How many weeks will I receive benefits?
As long as your employment status has not changed, and you are meeting the weekly requirements for eligibility–filing your weekly certification, reporting any changes to income, and fulfilling the work search requirements–most workers are eligible to receive 26 weeks of unemployment, plus an additional 13 weeks due to the pandemic. The 13 week extension, known…
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2020
What if my employer asks me to return to work, but I am unable to do so due to concerns related to COVID-19?
In general, you cannot receive unemployment benefits if you refuse an offer to return to work. But you may still be eligible for benefits if there was “good cause” for your refusal, a determination that is made on a case-by-case basis. If you or your employer notifies the Department of Labor of your refusal, there…
Read MoreSeptember 15, 2020
What if I am required to look for work to keep my benefits, but cannot because myself or a family member/ household member is part of an at risk group and can’t risk being exposed to COVID-19?
Simply put, if the work search requirement applies to you and you do not document your work search, you may lose your benefits. As described above, there are many options for meeting the work search requirements that can be done from your home without risking exposure to COVID-19, including searching for work online, attending virtual…
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