Alabama Department of Labor

Without having been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine, an individual who does not go to work due to general concerns about exposure to COVID-19, and who does not meet any of the other COVID-related criteria for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), is not eligible for unemployment.  The CARES Act provides for PUA benefits under 10 circumstances.

• The individual has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis;


• A member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;


• The individual is providing care for a family member or a member of the individual’s household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;  


• A child or other person in the household for which the individual has primary caregiving responsibility is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for the individual to work;


• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency;


• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because the individual has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;


• The individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency;


• The individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19;


• The individual has to quit his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19; or


• The individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

If a claimant is requested to return to work and they don’t meet any of the above circumstances, benefits will cease.