How Dupaco can support you during pandemic
Dupaco stands ready to help and support you during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve deployed several temporary options to help you.
Unemployed because of COVID-19? You might have access to more benefits to help you during this time.
Get answers to these questions below:
Unemployment insurance, also called unemployment benefits, is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers.
Each state administers its own program but follows the same guidelines established by federal law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
You usually qualify for unemployment benefits if you:
Benefits are typically based on a percentage of your earnings over a recent 52-week period.
The CARES Act expands states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance for many workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes many workers who aren’t usually eligible for these benefits.
Here’s a look at how some of the expanded benefits might help you if you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic:
You’ll need to contact your state’s unemployment insurance program as soon as possible.
Given the expansion of benefits during this time, it pays to find out if you’re eligible.
Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s online tool to connect with your state’s unemployment insurance office and apply.
You may choose to have your unemployment benefit payment deposited directly into your checking or savings account. To have your money deposited into a Dupaco account, here’s what you’ll need to provide:
You can use Dupaco’s Shine Online and Mobile Banking to find out whether your unemployment payment will hit your Dupaco account soon.
From the menu in Shine, select Direct Deposits and then click on the Future tab to see whether you have a future pending unemployment deposit. It will also notify you when the payment will post.
You can also use Shine to be alerted when your payments becomes available. From the menu, select eNotifiers. Under Activity Alerts, enable All Transactions to receive email or text messages for all transactions to your account, including your unemployment deposits.
If you selected a debit card as your payment method for benefits in Iowa, you’ll be mailed a card that’s serviced by Bank of America, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
You have a few ways to access your money on these cards, including:
If you’re calling Dupaco or using Shine to access the money, it won’t be available immediately. If you make your transaction before 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, your funds will be available the same day after 4:30 p.m. Otherwise, your funds will be available the next business day after 4:30 p.m.
The easiest and fastest way to receive your unemployment benefits: Direct deposit.
This way, your benefit payments go directly into your checking or savings account. Here’s the information you’ll need to provide on your unemployment application.
Beyond filing for unemployment benefits, you might be able to take advantage of programs you previously signed up for.
Do you have Payment Protection on your Dupaco loans?
If so, you might be able to have the principal, interest and Payment Protection fee portions of your loan payment (up to the agreement maximum) canceled as a result of involuntary unemployment.
You might be eligible if:
Dupaco offers the Payment Protection, and CUNA Mutual Insurance Agency Inc. administers it.
You can file your claim online here or by calling CUNA Mutual Group at 844-707-4964. You’ll need your unemployment letter to show approval for unemployment benefits and proof of receiving these benefits.
Don’t remember whether you have Payment Protection? Call Dupaco at 800-373-7600, ext. 202, to find out.
Dupaco has also deployed several temporary measures to help you during this time. Learn more here.
Do you have money in savings you can pull from if needed? How can you adjust your spending and overall budget while looking for a new job?
These strategies can help you review your personal finances and get a plan in place.
Now’s the time to dust off your resume. If it needs some TLC, these tips can help.
As you look for work, watch out for work-from-home scams.
The Federal Trade Commission said many work-from-home ads are scams aimed at getting your money:
To find other legitimate job listings, try visiting sites like your state’s Career OneStop.
If you’re recalled to work in Iowa and refuse to return without good reason, you will lose eligibility to your unemployment benefits, including the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation weekly benefit of $600, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
Here are the exceptions:
“Employees in any of these positions are strongly encouraged to work with their employer in the best way to handle the situation to return to work,” Iowa Workforce Development advised.
If you’re recalled on a part-time basis, you might continue to be eligible for benefits depending on the amount of wages you earn. Iowa Workforce Development encourages you to continue filing your weekly claims and report the gross wages you earned each week.