Apply for the Benefit Recovery Fund
Undocumented workers play such a critical role in our communities and in Colorado’s economy. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that without a safety net in place for undocumented Coloradans, our whole community suffers. SB 22-234 or Senate Bill on Unemployment Compensation created the Benefit Recovery Fund (BRF) as a remedy to this inequity. The BRF is an unemployment compensation program for eligible undocumented individuals who have lost employment through no fault of their own.
The BRF is funded by some of the dollars already paid by employers on behalf of undocumented workers, and is separate from the state’s traditional unemployment insurance program.
The BRF will provide direct cash payments to eligible, recently unemployed undocumented Coloradans to help them pay for critical needs they and their families might have. This program is the first of its kind in the nation.
The Facts
The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy and the Colorado Fiscal Institute estimate that over the past 10 years, Colorado employers have paid nearly $188 million in unemployment insurance premiums on behalf of Colorado workers without work authorization. Yet these workers are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance when they lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Resources
In May 2020, the Colorado Fiscal Insitute published a study entitled: A Strong Recovery Requires Relief for All Coloradans: How Colorado Can Include Immigrant Workers in Unemployment Assistance -
Am I Eligible?
A worker is eligible for the BRF if they:
● Reside in Colorado;
● Provide proof of their identity;
● Have separated from employment through no fault of their own due to one or more of the factors outlined in C.R.S. § 8-73-108(4);
● Received income from employment during a qualified base period or alternative base period as defined in C.R.S. § 8-70-103;
● Attest that they are not currently receiving any state administered wage replacement assistance;
● Are not eligible for state-administered wage replacement assistance; and
● Have a pay stub or form W-2 to verify their employment and wage withholding.
What is the Benefit Recovery Fund?
The Benefit Recovery Fund is a statewide wage replacement program for W-2 undocumented workers in Colorado who lost their job through no fault of their own, and who are not eligible to receive other assistance due to their immigration status. It will provide cash payments for eligible individuals to help them pay for things like food, shelter, healthcare, clothing and other critical needs due to a recent loss of employment.
The Fund was established by the Colorado Legislature in 2022 and will be administered by AidKit on behalf of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Office of New Americans with community engagement led by Impact Charitable.
How to Prepare to Apply
Proof of Address
Preferred proof for home address is a valid, unexpired government issued photo ID with home address on it.
If a government ID with current address isn’t available, next preferred is a recent (with 45 days of employment separation) pay stub with home address or a W-2 with home address.
Also accepted are:
- Utility bill, landline phone bill, internet bill, or cable bill in the applicant’s name from the last 90 days with service address
- Mortgage or lease documents with the home address indicating current residency
- House deed with full address and individual’s name
- Property tax bill with the home address indicating current residency
Proof of W-2 Employment and Employment Details
Please sure to provide the following information:
- Employer name and mailing address
- Whether you worked under your legal name or an alternate name
- The Social Security Number you work under
- Start date and Separation date
- Employer Separation Form with reason for separation
- W-2 and/or most recent pay stub from the job you just left
- Pay stub from within the last 45 days of employment and/or a W-2 from within the last 18 months
Photo ID
Please be sure to have any one of the following forms of ID:
Most Preferred
- Standard Driver’s license (COSB251)
- Standard State ID Card (COSB251)
Next Most Preferred
- Out of State Driver’s license or ID card with Federal Limits Apply Limitation
- Consular ID Card
Only if the above is not available:
- Non-United States Passport
- Current foreign photo ID with date of birth
Check List
- Photo ID
- Email address
- Proof of Colorado address
- Valid unexpired Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Employment separation form
- Employment details and history
- Social Security Number (SSN) used for employment
- Proof of W-2 Employment
- Bank information (if you want direct deposit)
What is the Benefit Recovery Fund?
The Benefit Recovery Fund is a statewide program for unemployed undocumented workers in Colorado who have or will receive a W-2 tax form from their employer, who have lost their job through no fault of their own and who are not eligible to receive traditional wage replacement assistance.
It provides direct cash payments for eligible W-2 or pay stub workers without work authorizations to help them pay for things like food, shelter, healthcare, clothing and other critical needs due to a loss of employment.
Who can apply to the Benefit recovery fund?
To apply you must be 16 years or older, have earned income as a W-2 worker in a qualified or alternative base period (typically within the last 15-18 months) and provide the proper documentation, including a current government-issued photo ID and your W-2 and/or pay stubs, and employer separation form.
Who is the Benefit recovery fund NOT for?
Undocumented individuals who do not have wages withheld like contractors, self-employed, daily workers or others will not be eligible to apply.
How can I apply?
The Benefit Recovery Fund application will be available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese at the AidKit application website.
How long will the Benefit Recovery Fund be available?
The Benefit Recovery Fund was approved by the Colorado legislature and has no end date.
Who is running the Benefit Recovery Fund?
The State of Colorado selected AidKit as the third-party administrator of the fund to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of applicants to the fund. Impact Charitable, a non-profit organization, is working with AidKit and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Office of New Americans to engage community-based organizations across the state to ensure the fund is community-informed, accessible, and trusted.
What steps will be taken to ensure the privacy of the applicant?
Every applicant's information will be kept completely confidential and safe. No information will be shared with any government agencies or with federal authorities. Submitting an application to the Benefit Recovery Fund will not negatively impact you. In fact, it’s against the law for the fund to share information with federal immigration authorities.
Where can I find help?
If you find that you need help you can contact the Benefit Recovery Fund support team by calling (720) 902-7643 or emailing support@brf.aidkit.org. Support is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. MT.
What is a W-2?
A W-2 is a tax form filed by United States employers that provides a summary of how much you’ve earned during the year and how much taxes were taken out of your paychecks.
What is work authorization?
A work authorization refers to having a legal right to work in the United States.