(Office of the Governor) — The CNMI Department of Labor paid out close to $11 million on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, in benefits to claimants for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Lost Wages Assistance, and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs.
This recent disbursement included payments for PUA and PUA 3 to more than 1,800 PUA applicants in the CNMI.
CNMI DOL continues to resolve claimant issues, all unpaid claims, and working with claimants to provide necessary qualifying documents.
Secretary of Labor Vicky Benavente noted that PUA claimants have been very cooperative and understanding of the stringent documentation requirements.
“Once all the PUA program requirements have been met, the benefits are processed for payment to the claimants. As always, we appreciate the claimants’ patience and understanding as CNMI DOL continues to implement the program under strict federal guidelines. We will continue to run a federally compliant operation that prevents fraud and abuse. Ultimately, we are in the business of helping every eligible claimant who has submitted all required documents,” said Secretary Benavente.
CNMI DOL is still accepting initial applications and weekly claims certification submissions via online (Hiremarianas.com) or at DOL building #1334 on Capital Hill.
The department is reminding PUA applicants that as a condition for receiving PUA, continuing recipients must conduct three or more work search contacts or activities every week and keep a log or record of the work search contacts.
All individuals with PUA claims inquiries are encouraged to email info@puamarianas.com or call the following numbers for inquiries on their claims (hours of operation Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on local or federal holidays:
322-8870
322-8871
322-8872
322-8873
322-8874
322-8876
Additional Department of Labor telephones:
• Administrative Services
664-3196/322-994
• Division of Employment Services
664-3190/322-9934/664-3298
• Enforcement
322-4365/ 323-9940
• Benefits Payments Control Unit
322-9943/9944
• PUA Fraud Hotline
989-9095
• Administrative Hearing Office
664-3290/3291
• OSHA
664-3156/3157
• WIOA
664-1708/1757
For more information, contact the PUA COM Center at the numbers listed or send an email to info@puamarianas.com
