The CARES Act (Coronoavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) opened up Unemployment Insurance (UI) to self-employed and independent contract workers, but the details of implementation have taken a little time to roll out. Self-employed and gig workers will need to provide either a 2018 or 2019 tax return as part of the application. Additionally, claimants do not need to take additional action to receive the additional $600 weekly benefit amount. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has been working to get the existing UI infrastructure in place to begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act on April 20, 2020. Additionally, CDLE
will be hosting town hall on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 9:30AM to answer your unemployment insurance questions. Sign up for the virtual town hall
here.