The Cruelty of CARES ACT

“The only thing crueler than a cage so small that a bird can’t fly is a cage so large that a bird thinks it can fly.”

Caroline Kepnes, You

When the President signed the CARES Act into law March 27, 2020 independent contractors and others not otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance saw a light of hope dangled before them, labelled “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)” – a new and creatively designed benefit that offered a minimum of $167 a week plus an additional $600 a week from March 29 to July 25, 2020 to those who were unable to work as a result of COVID19, or whose earnings were impacted by the pandemic.

I’ve quantified in previous blogs that my earnings as a ride share driver has been brutalized by COVID19 (https://mycoachman.blog/2020/04/25/ride-share-earnings-in-san-fran-now-50-worse-than-the-first-3-weeks-of-shelter-in-place-order/).

I’ve lost the same amount as the government’s SINGLE $1200 stimulus check EVERY 10 DAYS for TEN WEEKS. It’s been brutal. I drive 11 hours a day, 7 days a week … trying to make ends meet, and trying to support 3 kids in college, but in an environment when everyone is working from home, or not working at all, the ride volume is scarce. Typically, I am now driving 15-20 minutes, unpaid, just to get to the next rider – who is usually an essential local worker or someone going to see a doctor … a 5-10 minute paid ride. The economics are horrible.

The promise that I’d be able to receive $167 minimum plus $600 a week through July 25th is enormously helpful, and would replace 90% of my lost wages for this defined period of time.

Problem is the EDD has done NOTHING to it’s website to accommodate this new benefit stream and claim process. So when you log in to UI Online, the system is quick to determine, in my case, “maximum benefits paid.”

I know that … BUT … there is this new program called PUA. Why doesn’t UI Online then ask “Are you a business owner or independent contractor?” Then, “Has your job or earnings been impacted by COVID19?”

I mean what’s so hard to understand EDD? Or EDD’s new Director Sharon Hilliard? Or Governor Newsom?

So people are left to phone EDD.

What a joke.

I have called 30-50 times a day for 10 weeks … and have gotten through twice!

Once on May 5th and the customer service rep said, the next step is to “put you on the PUA Callback list. You’ll be called in the next 2-3 business days”.

Think I was called? Hell no.

So I begin calling 30-50 times a day again after waiting a week and I finally got through a second time. It was like winning the lottery … until that days rep says “Mr Bishop, I don’t see you on the PUA Callback list!”

I mean, you have to be kidding me.

Then they say, “let me give you the number to call … it’s 866-333-4606 … and you want to EXTEND your benefits, then we can help you with PUA.”

I’m like shaking in hope as I dial … thinking ‘this is my big break, thank you Lord!’ Then the recording comes on …

“This number can NOT be used to extend your claim.”

You have to be kidding me.

I call EDD MORE THAN A THOUSAND TIMES … and get through TWICE. I am lied to once, and given inaccurate information the second time.

That’s cruel.

So now I’m back to calling EDD every day, and sharing this nightmare by tweeting the Governor, EDD, California’s 2 Senators Feinstein and Harris, and my congressman Rep Thompson … and documenting this negligent leadership here.

Ride Confidently.