The Department of Workforce Development gave updates Wednesday on Facebook Live about how the federal CARES Act has changed unemployment insurance benefits for Hoosiers. More than 7,000 people tuned in online.

During the webinar, DWD staff stressed that those already approved for any benefit from Indiana don’t need to do anything to receive an additional $600 per week. It will be added to their account beginning the week of April 20 and will be paid retroactively starting March 29.

But DWD Chief of Staff Josh Richardson says the agency’s IT staff still need more time to build an electronic system to open up benefits for self-employed people and workers with limited work history.

“Congress passed it, [but] we have nothing in place to do that currently,” Richardson says. “So we’re building that as we go but we are committed to doing that as soon as possible and I do think that there is reason for many people who are denied state benefits to believe that that program will provide them some relief.”

READ MORE: Could Indiana’s Unemployment Benefits System Have Been Better Prepared For COVID-19?

He stresses that anyone is able to apply to see if they’re eligible for unemployment benefits.

Contact Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.