COVID 19: Employer Unemployment Insurance FAQs
The below are questions and answers to frequently asked unemployment insurance questions by employers. The Unemployment Insurance Division’s Employment Services Section (ESS) will do all it can to best assist employers during this uncertain time.
Note: UI benefits for self-employed persons, bona fide independent contractors, and others who are disqualified from receiving UI for COVID-19-related reasons may be covered through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program under the CARES Act. Please file your claim at this site, more info here and FAQs here.
HAS THE DUE DATE TO FILE MY QUARTERLY REPORT CHANGED FROM APRIL 30, 2020 TO A LATER DATE?
The due date has not changed. You still need to file your quarterly report. If you are unable to make payment or partial payment, penalties and interest will be waived through May 31, 2020 per Executive Order No. 20-02.
IF I AM ABLE TO MAKE PAYMENT PLANS, WILL PENALTIES AND INTEREST BE WAIVED?
You must contact the ESS to establish a payment plan. The ESS will determine if penalties and interest will be waived.
WILL MY EXPERIENCE RATING BE AFFECTED BECAUSE MY EMPLOYEES FILED FOR UI?
Benefits paid due to Covid-19 will not be charged to contributory employers.
I LAID OFF MY EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF THE STAY AT HOME/WORK FROM HOME ORDER. BUT I PLAN TO REOPEN ONCE THE STAY AT HOME/WORK FROM ORDER CONCLUDES. CAN MY EMPLOYEES STILL FILE FOR UI?
The employees may file for UI so long as you are not paying them, and they otherwise qualify.
MY EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME REACHING THE CLAIMS OFFICE. CAN I REFER THEM TO ESS FOR ASSISTANCE?
We apologize that your employees having difficulties reaching the Claims Office. The ESS employees are available to assist employers with questions, but are not equipped to assist with claims-related questions. Please refer your employees to the DLIR COVID-19 Labor FAQs page or encourage them to call or email their local Claims Office for further assistance.
I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE SBA DISASTER LOAN. WHO DO I CONTACT?
The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism can assist with this. Information about the SBA Disaster Loan may be found on DBEDT’s webpage here.
I WANT TO CONTEST A DETERMINATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You may file an appeal with the Employment Security Appeals Referees’ Office. Please read the determination carefully for information related to filing an appeal. ESARO’s contact information may be found here.
HOW TO CONTACT ESS
- Oahu: (808) 586-8926
- Hilo: (808) 974-4095
- Kona: (808) 974-4095
- Maui: (808) 984-8410
- Kauai: (808) 274-3025
