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State Unemployment Insurance Benefits
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 requirments of State law.
Filing a Claim
- 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.
Click here for more Unemployment Fact Sheets
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