Hi All,

I have a long drawn out story probably like most of you here so I’ll try and make this as brief as possible but I’m in need some of solid advice and possible outcomes.

First and foremost I am a self-employed wedding photographer that got hit along with everyone else in the industry for 2020. I was trying to go without unemployment for the longest while last year but I caved and had to apply because I sincerely needed it.

I applied back in August 2020 answered all of the appropriate questions and answered them to 100% of my ability to answer truthfully. I submitted 2019 taxes but not for 2020 because I didn’t have any proof of income or so I thought. I didn’t think screenshots of Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or bank statements showing random payments from jobs would count so I didn’t even try thinking they wouldn’t be legit but turns out (they are?) maybe they are according to a UIA rep I spoke with on the phone.

I finally received a determination and was denied unemployment in February 2021. I filed a protest on Feb. 22nd and submitted my protest along with screenshots showing proof of income for everything I could. Hell I even submitted screenshots of my clients Facebook page showing the weddings I had done for them and them tagging my business but I’m sure that didn’t matter one bit.

It showed my protest was sent over on 3/7 and all I received was a letter saying I needed to recertify or requalify for all of my weeks and the only answer I put for all of my weeks was “I am self-employed (including an independent contractor and gig worker) and experienced a significant reduction of my customary or usual services because of the COVID-19 public health emergency."

My 2020 taxes were done at this point so I resubmitted proof of income by submitted my federal tax return for 2020 as well.

This was a few days ago but it’s now showing that my PUA recertification and PUA requalification have been processed.

My question is what should I expect at this point? When can I expect to be paid if at all? I feel like I’m been running around with this for so long I’m ready to throw in the towel. Any help and suggestions is very much appreciated everyone.