photo by: Screenshot/Kansas Department of Labor

The Kansas Department of Labor's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program website is pictured Thursday, May 28, 2020.

State labor department officials say self-employed Kansans who applied to the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program should begin receiving their money this week.

The program, which allows self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig workers, religious organization employees, and those lacking sufficient work history to qualify for unemployment assistance, opened applications May 12.

The Kansas Department of Labor said the agency began processing the payments Tuesday night and the money was sent to banks Wednesday but it can take two days for direct deposits to appear in accounts.

People who chose to receive payment by debit card may not see those for seven to 10 days.

The agency is still reviewing less than 24,000 applications for the PUA program to determine if the applicants are eligible.

Those approved for PUA benefits will also receive back pay for the additional $600 in weekly unemployment insurance through funding from the federal CARES Act, Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Delía García previously said. Even if a person goes back to work, they will still be given back pay for both programs.

PUA, also created in the CARES Act, will be in effect through Dec. 26, 2020. Kansans can submit PUA claims online by going to pua.getkansasbenefits.gov.