|
State Unemployment
Insurance
From the U.S. Department of Labor
Purpose In general, the
Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment
benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of
their own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility
requirements of State law.
- Unemployment insurance payments
(benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to
unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law.
- Each State administers a separate
unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by
Federal law.
- Eligibility for unemployment
insurance, benefit amounts and the length of time benefits are
available are determined by the State law under which unemployment
insurance claims are established.
- In the majority of States, benefit
funding is based solely on a tax imposed on employers. (Three
(3) States require minimal employee contributions.)
Eligibility
1. You must meet the State requirements for wages earned or time worked
during an established (one year) period of time referred to as a
"base period". (In most States, this is usually the first four
out of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the time that
your claim is filed.)
2. You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own
(determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of
State law.
Filing a Claim
contact
the State Unemployment Insurance agency as soon as possible after
becoming unemployed. In some States, you can now file a claim by
telephone.
- It generally takes two to three weeks
after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check. Some
States require a one-week waiting period; therefore, the second week
claimed is the first week of payment, if you are otherwise eligible.
- When you file the claim, you will be
asked certain questions, such as addresses and dates about your
former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure
to give complete and correct information.
Continued Eligibility
- You must file weekly or biweekly
claims (after the week(s) has ended), and respond to questions
concerning your continued eligibility. You must report any earnings
from work you had during the week(s). You must also report any job
offers or refusal of work during the week. These claims are usually
filed by mail or telephone; the State will provide filing
instructions.
- When directed, you must report to your
local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or One-Stop/Employment
Service Office on the day and at the time you are scheduled to do
so. If you fail to report as scheduled for any interview, benefits
may be denied.
- You must continue to meet the
eligibility requirements stated in the previous section.
Registering For Work
- Claimants who file for unemployment
benefits may be directed to register for work with the State
Employment Service, so it can assist you in finding employment. If
you are not required to register, you still may seek help in finding
a job from the Employment Service.
- The One-Stop/Employment Service Office
has current labor market information and provides a wide array of
re-employment services free of charge.
- Employment Service staff can refer you
to job openings in your area, or in other parts of the State or
country if you are willing to relocate.
- They can refer you to various training
programs.
- If job openings in your field are
limited, they can offer testing and counseling to determine other
jobs you might like to do and are able to do.
- If you believe you have special needs
or considerations, such as physical needs or other considerations,
which may prevent you from getting a job, they can refer you to
other agencies for help with those needs.
Disqualification from Eligibility
- If your reason for separation from
your last job is due to some reason other than a "lack of
work" - a determination will be made about whether you are
eligible for benefits.
- Generally all determinations of
whether or not a person is eligible for benefits are made by the
appropriate State under its law or applicable federal laws.
- If you are disqualified/denied
benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. The State will
advise you of your appeal rights. You must file your appeal within
an established time frame. Your employer may also appeal a
determination if he/she does not agree with the State's
determination regarding your eligibility.
Benefits
- In general, benefits are based on a
percentage of an individual's earnings over a recent 52-week period
- up to a State maximum amount.
- Benefits can be paid for a maximum of
26 weeks in most States.
- Additional weeks of benefits may be
available during times of high unemployment (see Extended
Benefits). Some States provide additional benefits for specific
purposes.
- Benefits are subject to Federal income
taxes and must be reported on your Federal income tax return. You
may elect to have the tax withheld by the State Unemployment
Insurance agency.
|
