Independent contractors are still having issues getting unemployment benefits

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was created under the CARES act which freed up money for those who are self-employed

Many oregonians who work as independent contractors like private tutors or hair stylists are still waiting for their unemployment benefits.

This week some people started recieving their money that has been back logged for over two months.

The pandemic unemployment assistance program gave independent contractors the ability to recieve benefits.

But -- for weeks there has been a back log of payments and many independent contractors began losing hope.

One private tutor in eugene says he was about to give up before he received his money this week to those still waiting... he says to keep calling the employment department.

Call the number until it goes through.

Be nice be polite.

Understand the person whom you on the phone is not like the reason this is all messed up.

Be humane understand that they are very stressed dealing with people that are angry at them too.

Beneficiaries of the program will get 600 dollars per week, plus a weekly benefit anywhere between 2 hundred to six hundred dollars.

But remember you*do have to prove -- that you were impacted by the coronavirus.

The benefits can last up to 39 weeks.

The coronavirus is