Financial Relief Options For The Full-Time DJ Operators

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Generally speaking, businesses know their higher paid people take their jobs more seriously - and they have the required items to back it up. Paying employees well does not always create a better team of employees. Fast food places I visit, I see no more quality than 10+ years ago. Some places, I see worse staff. I definitely see alot less quality and pride.

In the fast food world, Chik-Fil-A has the best staff .. by far - pride, quality and integrity. This is not because they're making any more money than anywhere else. Additionally, most Chik-Fil-A employees are not there long .. they seem to understand, this is but a bus stop on the career path. They want more and better out of life.
 
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UPDATE:

It looks like the unemployment rules changed so quickly that all the people that applied who are self-employed only (meaning you did not work anywhere else got denied, including me.

So now, it's called the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, (PUA), and that is what "we, self-employed people" we need to fill out, starting on April 28th.

Also, it's not clear, but I believe if you did work for someone else, and received a check, and are now not working, of course, you can apply for unemployment but not PUA, meaning not both, which really sucks.

My wife got unemployment from Farmers Insurance, even though she put her last employer as herself, and is being told she cannot apply for the PUA for her Photography business b/c you cannot claim both. She obviously paid into unemployment working part-time for Farmers, and wants to accept the state $$, but her full-time Photo business also should qualify and she is going to have to call and figure that out b/c you can't accept $600 from both PUA and UI. She will be trying to call tomorrow to figure all that out, but that would sucks and she now can't apply for PUA.

She is in the same boat as all the other DJs that have day jobs too.
 
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TES3S said:
UPDATE:

It looks like the unemployment rules changed so quickly that all the people that applied who are self-employed only (meaning you did not work anywhere else got denied, including me.

So now, it's called the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, (PUA), and that is what "we, self-employed people" we need to fill out, starting on April 28th.

Also, it's not clear, but I believe if you did work for someone else, and received a check, and are now not working, of course, you can apply for unemployment but not PUA, meaning not both, which really sucks.

My wife got unemployment from Farmers Insurance, even though she put her last employer as herself, and is being told she cannot apply for the PUA for her Photography business. She would have been better doing the PUA, so now she has to call and say she is not accepting the unintended Farmers unemployment so she can apply for PUA instead.
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NJ just released a bunch of documents regarding this. It's a little weird... bc if I'm reading it correctly... I'm now going to be getting 60% of my weekly income (maxed at $713) PLUS the $600 per week that everyone is getting. I was only expecting $600 per week... but if this is correct, then I would qualify for $1313 per week. Which while it's still short of what I'd be normally making, I am not going to complain. Here's what the NJ document says...

"PUA potentially provides the same amount as regular unemployment (60% of your average weekly salary, up to a maximum of $713 per week) for up to a total of 39 weeks. The PUA amount for the self-employed is calculated using prior year(s) tax returns if wages are not reported through wage records. The PUA minimum, for businesses operating at a loss or with insufficient income to qualify for benefits, is $231 per week. PUA benefits are considered taxable income. PUA recipients are also eligible for an extra $600 per week, also taxable. The $600 per week is retroactive to the week ending April 4, 2020, and ends the week of July 25, 2020."
 
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It will be interesting how they track the fact that you can go back to February OR when you start engaging and doing business.

There will be people that take advantage of the whole time.
 
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TES3S said:
It will be interesting how they track the fact that you can go back to February OR when you start engaging and doing business.

There will be people that take advantage of the whole time.
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I think it'll go based on if you've been affected by the virus. It seems that even if you're partially working, you're qualified. This is according to another section of the NJ document seen here: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/assets/pdfs/CARES_FFRCA.pdf

You must be negatively impacted by the coronavirus emergency to be eligible. See USDOL’s website, “Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak.” You will have to certify that you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work for any of a list of coronavirus-related reasons
 
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this will have it's own set of rules, and each state will be different. Shall be interesting, but 15-20-K will certainly help make up for lost business.

It's just super annoying we were told to fill out UI (each state varies), and then we find out, that's no longer the way....as we are all getting denied to find out the government is now opening up the PUA, starting April 28th, and that is the way Self-employed people will get UI.
 
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djtaso said:
I think it'll go based on if you've been affected by the virus. It seems that even if you're partially working, you're qualified. This is according to another section of the NJ document seen here: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/assets/pdfs/CARES_FFRCA.pdf

You must be negatively impacted by the coronavirus emergency to be eligible. See USDOL’s website, “Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak.” You will have to certify that you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work for any of a list of coronavirus-related reasons
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well if you are partially working, then ya, expect to get the minimum $167 a week (CA) +600 from federal (federal ends last week in July)
 
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It’s frustrating being canadian. There is some help but only if you’re totally out of work. I’ve lost my side work. Dj’ing, guitar lessons, providing sound. and my band. Basically an extra $1000 or so a month. I do claim it all at tax time along with expenses, mileage etc etc.

I’m fortunate to still be working since my workplace is an essential service, but I’m still feeling the loss.

Ugh.
 
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djmagicmoments said:
We are not getting ANY relief from the government. My wife and I work VERY hard.
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Even if you made a $1,000,000 a year, you'd qualify for EIDL, PPP, and the PUA which gives you $600/week unemployment, even if you're partially able to be working. The last oen just needs proof that you've been affected by this (your business has been deemed nonessential for example).
 
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djtaso said:
Even if you made a $1,000,000 a year, you'd qualify for EIDL, PPP, and the PUA which gives you $600/week unemployment, even if you're partially able to be working. The last oen just needs proof that you've been affected by this (your business has been deemed nonessential for example).
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Incorrect, sir.

We are both still working full time, therefore, we do not qualify for PUA insurance, even with an additional self employed status. They consider household income, not just self employed income.

She works for the government and I work for a church.
 
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djmagicmoments said:
Incorrect, sir.

We are both still working full time, therefore, we do not qualify for PUA insurance, even with an additional self employed status. They consider household income, not just self employed income.

She works for the government and I work for a church.
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I think you're thinking of the Stimulus check... The PUA has no salary limits (but it does limit how much they give in general).

Here's the PUA guideline:

"You must be negatively impacted by the coronavirus emergency to be eligible. See USDOL’s website, “Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak.” You will have to certify that you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work for any of a list of coronavirus-related reasons"

Essentially you're saying you can't achieve what is your normal household income as a result of Coronavirus. If someone has 5 gig jobs, but 4/5 are open, and 1 is closed, they'd be able to qualify. As of now, income thresholds have nothing to do with it, as the amount is 60% of income, maxed at a certain amount, PLUS $600/week.
 
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djtaso said:
I think you're thinking of the Stimulus check... The PUA has no salary limits (but it does limit how much they give in general).

Here's the PUA guideline:

"You must be negatively impacted by the coronavirus emergency to be eligible. See USDOL’s website, “Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak.” You will have to certify that you are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work for any of a list of coronavirus-related reasons"

Essentially you're saying you can't achieve what is your normal household income as a result of Coronavirus. If someone has 5 gig jobs, but 4/5 are open, and 1 is closed, they'd be able to qualify. As of now, income thresholds have nothing to do with it, as the amount is 60% of income, maxed at a certain amount, PLUS $600/week.
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Why would I take unemployment if I am still working? Just because my self employed income is gone, I am still employed.

I get your point, but no, I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to request unemployment and we did not qualify for the stimulus.
 
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djmagicmoments said:
Why would I take unemployment if I am still working? Just because my self employed income is gone, I am still employed.

I get your point, but no, I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to request unemployment and we did not qualify for the stimulus.
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Well that's different, and more of a moral discussion, which there's no right answer as everyone has a different personal view and situation. I just was pointing it out for someone whose dj business was vital in staying afloat and paying their bills, even if they had another source of income... At least they can get relief. For example, someone I know had 50% income from Djing, and 50% as a teacher... losing half your income can be tough depending on your personal expenses. This is not money that runs out like the PPP or EIDL, so you're not taking it from someone else.
 
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djtaso said:
Well that's different, and more of a moral discussion, which there's no right answer as everyone has a different personal view and situation. I just was pointing it out for someone whose dj business was vital in staying afloat and paying their bills, even if they had another source of income... At least they can get relief. For example, someone I know had 50% income from Djing, and 50% as a teacher... losing half your income can be tough depending on your personal expenses. This is not money that runs out like the PPP or EIDL, so you're not taking it from someone else.
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Whenever I research this for Maryland, I come across a PDF file that says that they do not have a website set up yet for gig workers etc to apply for unemployment from the federal government. We are well over 30 days from the start of the shut downs...Why they still don't have a portal to apply for this yet is beyond me. Many full time musicians, and gig workers who have not made money in the last 33+ days have to be totally broke at this point.

I want my sister and brother to apply for this ASAP. ...I at least have a full time job, and still have money coming in. My brother is working Door Dash making money in the mean time delivering peoples food. They actually got much busier than before (Door Dash). Will I apply for it? Not sure. It is kinda a gray area at the moment because of how the pre requisites are worded, and I don't want to have to owe anything back if they find out I had a full time job during this.
 
DJ Ricky B said:
Whenever I research this for Maryland, I come across a PDF file that says that they do not have a website set up yet for gig workers etc to apply for unemployment from the federal government. We are well over 30 days from the start of the shut downs...Why they still don't have a portal to apply for this yet is beyond me. Many full time musicians, and gig workers who have not made money in the last 33+ days have to be totally broke at this point.

I want my sister and brother to apply for this ASAP. ...I at least have a full time job, and still have money coming in. My brother is working Door Dash making money in the mean time delivering peoples food. They actually got much busier than before (Door Dash). Will I apply for it? Not sure. It is kinda a gray area at the moment because of how the pre requisites are worded, and I don't want to have to owe anything back if they find out I had a full time job during this.
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Yes new Jersey doesn't have the site set up either... and I think nearly all states don't. NJ is just updating us weekly with what's happening. For us, we first had to apply for NJ unemployment... just to get denied... or technically be "filed", so that when the system is up... it just merges.

From my understanding, the $600/week for everyone should at least be attainable by all, regardless if you have work or not, hence the "partially employed" wordage. The 60% of your weekly pay is new, and I don't know if there's anything specific to this.
 
djtaso said:
Yes new Jersey doesn't have the site set up either... and I think nearly all states don't. NJ is just updating us weekly with what's happening. For us, we first had to apply for NJ unemployment... just to get denied... or technically be "filed", so that when the system is up... it just merges.

From my understanding, the $600/week for everyone should at least be attainable by all, regardless if you have work or not, hence the "partially employed" wordage. The 60% of your weekly pay is new, and I don't know if there's anything specific to this.
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Hopefully, it is up by the end of the week. If not, it will take so long to get money coming in from this that things will start opening back up in phase 1 before the money even comes in!
 
I have a friend who applied for unemployment 4 weeks ago as of yesterday. She has received a mailer, and email, but still waiting for her Maryland pay card, and the money to come in. So, we can assume it can take 4 to 5 weeks (maybe longer) from the date of application at least here in Maryland. It's bad because they have so many applications. Up to 20X they have ever experienced in such a short time before
 
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