How to get financial assistance if you lose a job due to COVID-19

Restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and other businesses across Tennessee may be looking at furloughing workers or putting them on temporary leave because of the coronavirus outbreak.

As effected workers consider their options, they may turn to unemployment benefits. According to the Tennessee Department of Labor website, workers are eligible for benefits if they lose a job through no fault of their own — which would apply in the case of closures tied to the coronavirus.

Last week, Gov. Bill Lee announced the state would begin providing unemployment benefits for those who are quarantined by a doctor and will be temporarily out of work. Applicants for unemployment benefits must demonstrate they are actively searching for a job, though Lee said he expects the federal government to remove that job search requirement temporarily in the coming days.

This information is available on the Tennessee Department of Labor website about unemployment in general:

When can you file for unemployment?

Workers can file a claim for benefits the day after a job ends or after an employer has significantly cut hours. Visit jobs4tn.gov.

How much can you get on unemployment?

Qualified applicants can receive up to $275 a week for currently up to 26 weeks, but may be extended. Wages earned in the past 18 months will be used to calculate weekly benefits and the duration of those benefits.

What do you need to apply?

Applicants will need to present a Social Security number, a driver’s license number, address, phone number and email address. They must also detail their last 18 months of employment, the last day worked and reason why they are no longer in that position. The labor department will contact the applicant’s previous employer, who has seven days to respond.

How long does it take to get paid?

It typically takes 21 days for a claim to process.

What are some businesses currently hiring locally?

ALDI, Chik-fil-A, Dollar Tree, Domino’s, FedEx, FedEx Express, The Heritage at Brentwood, Jimmy John’s, Publix, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Target, UPS, USPS and Walgreen’s.

For more information, call 844-224-5818, start a live chat at jobs4TN.gov or visit tn.gov/workforce/unemployment.

As of March 22, counties testing positive in Tennessee include:

Anderson – 1
Blount – 1
Bradley – 2
Campbell – 2
Carroll – 2
Cheatham – 4
Chester – 1
Cocke – 1
Cumberland – 2
Davidson – 167
Dickson – 4
Dyer – 2
Fayette – 3
Franklin – 1
Gibson – 1
Greene – 2
Hamblen – 2
Hamilton – 8
Houston – 1
Jefferson – 2
Knox – 5
Loudon – 1
Marion – 1
Maury – 2
McMinn – 1
Monroe – 3
Montgomery – 3
Perry – 1
Putnam – 6
Roane – 1
Robertson – 3
Rutherford – 8
Scott – 2
Sevier – 1
Shelby – 66
Sullivan – 1
Sumner – 22
Tipton – 5
Washington – 2
Williamson – 48
Wilson – 2
Out of TN – 82
Unknown – 30

TOTAL – 505

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a pandemic. Reported illnesses range from mild to severe. Agencies anticipate widespread transmission will occur in the U.S. in coming months and recommend social distancing among other measures to slow the spread.  Call your doctor and stay home if you are sick. Get more information at CDC.gov/coronavirus or contact the Tennessee Department of Health coronavirus information line at 877-857-2945 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.