New York government relief guide
To help drivers and delivery people during the COVID-19 crisis, we're gathering up-to-date information about government financial support that you may be eligible for. In this guide, we'll answer important questions and share resources to help you apply.¹
Before you get started, please remember that the official sources of information are state and federal government agencies. We’ll continue to revise this guide as we receive additional information. Check back here over the coming weeks for updates.
Not in New York? Go here to find information for other locations.
Last updated: January 19, 2021
What types of government financial support are available?
There are a few types of government financial support available, many of them new for independent contractors like you.
In March 2020, the US government passed legislation that may mean you’re eligible for government financial assistance. You’ve probably heard this referred to as the CARES Act. In December 2020, additional legislation was enacted that continued government financial assistance programs. Under this legislation, you may be able to access financial relief for lost earnings due to the COVID-19 pandemic through:
- Loans that may be forgivable
- Direct financial aid available to individuals who have lost income
- Paid leave tax credits
In some cases, it may take several weeks or longer before state agencies process your applications and claims.
What is direct financial aid?
The federal government has made it possible for independent contractors who have lost income due to COVID-19 to access the same kinds of benefits that states traditionally provide to workers who receive W-2s and file for unemployment insurance. You may have heard this federally funded direct financial assistance referred to as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
How much could I receive?
The total amount of financial aid you could receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your state's calculation and your current and historic earnings.
Is this related to the $600 per week payments?
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) provided $600 per week for every week an individual qualified for either federal or state unemployment relief for the weeks ending April 4, 2020 through July 25, 2020. This federal benefit ended and will remain expired unless Congress reinstates the program.
For how long am I eligible to receive direct financial aid?
Under PUA, you may be able to get up to 39 weeks of PUA payments, until December 31, 2020, from the federal government.
Are payments retroactive?
PUA can go back as far as February 2, 2020, if you qualify and can document a loss of income due to COVID-19 earlier than your filing date.
How can I tell if I’m eligible?
You may be eligible for PUA if you’ve lost income due to COVID-19. If you have another source of income where you receive a W-2 form for your taxes, you should check with your state about how to properly file because you may be eligible for regular unemployment insurance. Check the FAQ section below for more details about the COVID-19-related circumstances that might make you eligible for this assistance.
How can I apply for direct financial aid in New York?
The New York state government is currently accepting applications from independent contractors for PUA. Below we’ll provide some resources to help you through the application process.
Collect your information and documents
Since not all application portals will automatically save your information, it’s recommended that you prepare the following before you begin the process to avoid losing your progress. Have a pen and paper ready to record information.
Personal information
- Social Security number
- Driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have either one)
- Bank account information (routing and checking account numbers) if you want to receive earnings via direct deposit
- Complete mailing address and zip code
- A phone number where the DOL can reach you from 8 am - 5 pm, Monday–Friday
Earnings information related to Uber
From the Tax Information tab on your driver dashboard, download the following:
- Annual tax summary from 2019
- Monthly tax summaries for 2020
- If applicable, 1099(s) from 2019
Additional information depending on your circumstances
- If you had W-2 earnings in the last 18 months:
- Names and addresses of all your employers for the last 18 months, including those in other states
- Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer (the FEIN is on your W-2 forms)
- If you are not a U.S. Citizen and have a card: your Alien Registration card number
- If you were a federal employee: copies of forms SF8 and SF50
- If you served in the military in the last 18 months: your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 214)
The application process
The fastest way to apply for PUA is to file a claim online with the New York Department of Labor (DOL). We’ll list the steps below, but we encourage you to review the DOL’s overview and their FAQ.
Determine your best time to apply
- New York DOL recommends applying between the hours of 7:30a - 7:30p
- Check for the day of the week assigned to the first letter of your last name:
- A - F file on Monday
- G - N file on Tuesday
- O - Z file on Wednesday
- If you missed your day, file Thursday - Sunday Create your account Visit my.ny.gov to create an account If you already have an account, login at unemployment.labor.ny.gov
Complete your application
- Follow the steps in the application, please note that there is a single application for “regular” unemployment and PUA. Based on the answers to the application, the New York DOL will determine which type of benefit you are eligible for.
- Once you’re done, you can check the status of your claim online by logging into your NY.Gov account. If you see it’s still pending, this means that the DOL is reviewing your application so no action is required.
Respond to questionnaires or phone calls received from the New York DOL
- If the DOL needs additional information for your application, a representative might call you.
- Like many New Yorkers, DOL representatives are working from home, so your caller ID may show "PRIVATE CALLER.” Anyone calling from DOL will verify their identity by providing the date you filed your application and the type of claim you filed, so make sure they provide this information before sharing yours.
After you're approved
If you’re approved for PUA, you must claim weekly benefits in order to receive payment for each week you experience reduced income due to COVID-19 and meet the eligibility requirements.
Claiming weekly benefits
- For the purposes of Unemployment Insurance, a week runs from Monday to Sunday.
- Here’s additional information about certifying for weekly benefits.
- Go to www.labor.ny.gov/signin
- Enter your NY.gov username and password
- Click the Unemployment Services button on the My Online Services page
- Click Claim Weekly Benefits and follow the instructions.
To avoid unnecessary delays, it's always a good idea before submitting any application to make sure that you are up to date with any legal requirements, including timely filed and paid taxes wherever applicable.
What types of loans and emergency cash advances are available?
There are two programs that are new for independent contractors under the CARES Act. These programs have run out of funds, but you can always check the SBA website for updates on relief options and funding. We'll continue to update this guide as we receive additional information, including if these programs are replenished with more funding:
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
This program allows participating banks and lenders to offer forgivable loans to small businesses and independent contractors.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
This program allows small businesses and independent contractors to apply for a non-forgivable EIDL loan.
What are paid leave tax credits?
Signed on March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides tax credits to small businesses and independent contractors for leave due to circumstances related to COVID-19. This means that you may be able to claim paid leave tax credits that could lower your tax liability or even make you eligible for a refund.
What circumstances qualify?
If you’re unable to work due to self-quarantine or because you or a family member are sick, or because you must provide child care due to closures caused by COVID-19, you could be eligible. Leave taken between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, could qualify.
How much would the tax credits be worth?
The amount of tax credits will vary based on location and circumstance. More information is available from the IRS under the “Overview of Paid Sick Leave Refundable Credit,” “Overview of Paid Family Leave Refundable Credit,” and “Specific Provisions Related to Self-Employed Individuals” (FAQ 60-66) sections.
How can I receive the tax credits?
If you have additional questions about this program or your tax circumstances, you should speak to a licensed tax adviser.
Where can I find more information?
No one has all the answers right now, but here are some helpful resources from Uber, our partners, and government agencies.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of circumstances would make me eligible for PUA?
According to Department of Labor guidance, you may be eligible for PUA if you are authorized to work in the US, not otherwise eligible for traditional unemployment benefits, and certify that you are available to work but not able to work because of circumstances related to COVID-19 that include, but aren’t limited to:
- You are diagnosed with COVID-19 or recommended to quarantine by a health professional
- A household member has been diagnosed with COVID-19
- You must care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19
- You are the primary caregiver for a child or other household member whose normal activities are disrupted by the COVID-19 public health emergency
- You are unable to reach your place of employment because of imposed quarantine or recommended self-quarantine due, for example, to a compromised immune system
- Your business has been forced to suspend operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic because an emergency state or municipal order restricting movement makes continued operations unsustainable
In addition, as an independent contractor with reportable income, you may also qualify for PUA if you are unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work because the COVID-19 public health emergency has severely limited your ability to continue performing your customary work activities, forcing you to suspend those activities.
- Do I need to have stopped driving completely in order to be eligible for PUA?
No. PUA benefits are available to individuals who are partially unemployed, including independent contractors whose income is significantly reduced due to COVID-19. Learn more here.
- Can I still drive or deliver while I’m collecting PUA?
Yes, but note that your state may require you to report earnings on a weekly basis, and PUA benefits only apply if you can demonstrate that your income is reduced.
- I am applying for a green card. Is my green card status at risk if I apply for these benefits?
We know this is complicated, and we recommend contacting an immigration professional such as an attorney who can review your eligibility and specific immigration situation. The Department of Justice has a list of pro bono legal service providers that may be helpful.
- I still have my full-time job, but I can’t drive or deliver using Uber because of the pandemic. Can I still get relief for my lost income from driving or delivering?
As of April 17, 2020, federal guidance hasn’t been issued on this question, which means that different states may handle this scenario differently. You can visit your state Department of Labor website for guidance on whether you can make claims for lost income from work as an independent contractor that is additional to your W-2 income.
- I lost my full-time job and am currently getting unemployment payments. Can I also apply for relief as an independent contractor?
If you qualify for or are already receiving traditional unemployment insurance, you may not be eligible for PUA. You should visit your state website for additional guidance.
- I received non-government financial assistance. Can I still apply for PUA?
You can still apply for PUA, but if you received financial aid that replaced lost income, you may need to report it on your application.
- Are the funds I receive through PUA taxable?
Yes. Unemployment assistance is taxable.
- Will my Uber account be deactivated if I apply for unemployment benefits?
No. Any decisions you make to apply for government financial support will have no impact on the status of your account.
- The unemployment/PUA application asks for contact information of all past employers. What contact information do I use for Uber?
You are considered an independent contractor, not an employee, based on your agreement with Uber. You should not have to provide contact information for companies that you do not have an employment relationship with -- depending on how your state collects information on this question, you could do one of the following:
- Select “no” if there is a drop-down menu
- If you operate under an LLC or other structure, you could list that information
- If you operate as a sole proprietor, you could list your personal information
- What kind of documentation will I need to provide to qualify for a PPP loan?
If you’re interested in a PPP loan, you should contact a qualified and participating lender. You can find an eligible lender using this helpful SBA tool.
- If I receive an EIDL Emergency Advance, will I still be able to apply for a PPP loan?
Yes, if you receive an EIDL Emergency Advance, you are still able to apply for a PPP loan. Based on SBA guidance, if you received an EIDL loan between January 31, 2020, and April 3, 2020, the amount will be deducted from the total amount that you could borrow through a PPP loan. However, because an EIDL Emergency Advance does not have to be paid back, it doesn't impact your total borrowable PPP amount.
- If I receive a PPP loan, will I still be able to file for unemployment benefits?
We’re working on finding a clear answer to this question, but as of April 17, 2020, federal guidance has not addressed whether individuals who received a PPP loan could later receive PUA.
- I received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program. Can I still drive or deliver?
Yes. However, make sure to consult with your lender to ensure you understand all the steps you will need to take to qualify for loan forgiveness of a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
- I had a W-2 job that I lost due to COVID, but a majority of my earnings are from driving and/or delivering using Uber. Am I eligible for PUA?
Even if your income as an independent contractor was more than your W-2 income, federal guidance states that PUA is only available to individuals who are not eligible for traditional unemployment benefits. This means that you will not be eligible for PUA if you are receiving or are eligible to receive traditional unemployment. But if your W-2 income does not meet the minimum monetary requirements for traditional unemployment, you have exhausted traditional unemployment, or are otherwise ineligible for traditional unemployment, you may be eligible for PUA.
¹The material provided on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, financial, tax, or other advice. It is for informational purposes only. Please consult your attorney or financial adviser to obtain advice with respect to your particular situation. For your convenience, this page contains links to third-party websites. Uber is not responsible for the content in those third-party sites or the products or services offered through them. While we will make every effort to keep this site up to date, for the most current information please see the respective governmental or organizational sites.
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