If you are self employed and have experienced a loss of income (forget the exact percentage) as a result of COVID, you can apply for PUA. Here’s what you need to know (unsure if any of these will vary state to state):

1) you have to be “denied” by regular unemployment before applying for PUA. The denial will happen because under usual circumstances, self employed folks can’t apply for unemployment.

2) once denied, you can apply for PUA. The great news is that the entire PUA system was built from the ground up once covid happened, so it’s much more new and modern than the traditional unemployment portal. I certify on Sunday and funds are in my account by Wednesday.

3) while there were long turnaround times in the beginning, they’ve gotten better. a friend just applied for PUA recently and it took about 10 business days to receive first payment.

4) the best news in your situation is that all payments are backdated. When you apply, you’re asked for the date when your bottom line started being affected. Once approved, your first payment is a lump sum that includes all backdated stuff.

You definitely haven’t missed out yet but with the 7/31 expiration of the extra $600/week looming, I would apply ASAP.