How To File A Claim For Unemployment
You may be able to file for unemployment online or over the phone. Review the information you will need to open a claim, then visit your state unemployment office to determine the best way to open a claim and begin collecting unemployment.
In general, to file a claim, you will need:
- Social Security Number
- Alien Registration Card if you’re not a U.S. citizen
- Driver’s license or State ID card number
- Mailing address including zip code
- Phone number
- Names, addresses, and dates of employment for all employers for the last two years
It generally takes a few weeks after your claim to receive your first benefit check, direct deposit, or debit card. Some states require a one-week waiting period therefore, the second week claimed is the first week of payment.
Once your claim is approved, you should be able to file your weekly claims online, by phone or mail.
How Much Will I Be Paid
After you submit a new claim, it will be reviewed, and a Monetary Determination Letter will be mailed to you. This will state the benefit amount you may qualify for, as well as showing you how that amount was calculated. Your amount is heavily dependent on how much wages you earned during your base period.
The 52 weeks after your claim becomes effective is your Benefit Year. This is the period that you can collect your maximum benefits, which is 26 weeks out of the Benefit Year.
The 12-month period from which wages are used to calculate how much your benefits will be is called your Base Period. The Base Period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. An Alternate Base Period may be used only if you do not qualify for benefits during your regular Base Period.
The amount of benefits you will receive each week will be calculated based on 1/26 of the average total wages paid during the two highest quarters in your Base Period. If you have less than $600 in your total Base Period earnings, then the Alternate Base Period may be calculated.
Here is an example:
Highest quarter of earnings: $4,000
Second highest quarter of earnings: $3,800
Total wages divided by two: $3,900
Average total wages in two high quarters: $3,900
Divided by 26: $150.
Your weekly benefit amount would be $150.
What Are My Rights To Paid Leave And Unemployment During The Pandemic
New laws guarantee paid leave to workers who need to stay home to care for themselves or others due to COVID-19, and they greatly expand unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits. Cartoon: Nick Thorkelson.
Note: this article was updated on April 22, 2020 to reflect new guidance from the Department of Labor -Editors.
On March 18 Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , in part to discourage layoffs and in part to guarantee paid leave to workers who need to stay home due to the COVID-19 emergency. On March 27 Congress enacted the CARES Act to expand unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits. Both laws expire on December 31, 2020, unless extended.
What follows is a selection of questions relating to the new laws. Please note that this is a complicated and rapidly changing area. Although the U.S. Department of Labor has issued several regulations and guides, aspects of the programs remain hazy.
Moreover, enforcement is likely to be slow and spotty, as a poorly staffed federal Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor appears unable to effectively oversee the leave program and state UI agencies claim to be overwhelmed by the crush of applications. Union workers should always review their contracts to see if they have stronger protections.
1. Business shut down due to COVID-19 emergency
2. Quit due to COVID-19 safety concerns
Tip: Put your resignation in writing, making sure to explain your fears.
3. Paid sick leave during self-quarantine
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Is A Worker Considered Unemployed While On Fmla
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows eligible employees to take off up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical-related leave a year. The employees job is protected while on FMLA.
In a recent case, an employees employment status came into question while taking FMLA.
In 2011, A Wichita County employee took a three-month leave under FMLA.
While the employee was on FMLA, she applied for unemployment benefits. Her claim was initially denied by the county, which found that she was not eligible for unemployment benefits because she maintained employment during her FMLA leave.
However, the case proceeded to the Texas Workforce Commission, which determined that she was, in fact, considered unemployed while on FMLA. Therefore, she would be considered eligible for unemployment benefits.
Over the course of the next six years, the case was appealed on administrative and judicial levels. Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court found that an employee who is on FMLA can be considered unemployed, because that employee is not performing services for pay during that time.
The Supreme Court did not decide whether the employee should receive unemployment benefits only that the employee was considered unemployed while on FMLA.
This is just one example of a complex issue that can arise in an FMLA case.
To Be Eligible For Benefits You Must:
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Arizona Unemployment If You Get Fired
Generally, in Arizona you have to have lost your job through no fault of your own in order to collect unemployment.
In most cases, this means that if you get fired, you cannot collect unemployment benefits.
If you get fired from your job, you should go ahead and apply for unemployment benefits, because there are some cases where you can be fired from your job and still get benefits.
If you feel like you were fired unfairly, or there were extenuating circumstances, be sure to tell you unemployment counselor about them. If your unemployment application is denied because you were fired, you also have the right to appeal the decision.
Still Have Questions?
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Receive Your Benefit Payments
It takes at least three weeks to process a claim for unemployment benefits and issue payment to most eligible workers.
When your first benefit payment is available, you will receive a debit card in the mail. Once you activate the card you can track, use, and transfer your benefit payments. Your card is valid for three years from the date it is issued and is used for all EDD benefit programs, so you should keep it until it expires.
If you received Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, or Paid Family Leave benefits on a debit card in the last three years, you will receive your benefit payments on that card. If your card has expired, a new card will automatically be sent to you once funds are available.
Note: If you were issued a debit card before 2015, you must request a new one. Visit Bank of Americas website or contact Bank of America at 1-866-692-9374 .
If you lost your debit card, contact Bank of America as early as possible in the application process to request a replacement card before your first payment. Your new card will arrive 7 to 10 business days from the order date. You have a couple options to request a new card:
- Visit the Bank of America website.
- Contact Bank of America at 1-866-692-9374 . You do not need to have your old card number or speak to a representative. Choose the Lost or Stolen option in the automated menu. The call center is experiencing higher than normal wait times and Bank of America is working to address the issue.
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Amount And Duration Of Unemployment Benefits In Massachusetts
If you are eligible to receive unemployment, your weekly benefit in Massachusetts will be half of your average weekly wage during the two highest paid quarters of the base period . The most you can receive per week is currently $823. You can also receive an allowance of $25 per week for each dependent, up to a maximum of one-half of your weekly benefit amount. You generally may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks, although extended benefits might be available during periods of high unemployment.
Can You Get Unemployment If You Get Put On Administrative Leave
Employees often have concerns when an employer places them on administrative leave. This situation puts into question an employees future, and he might have additional concerns about finances. Employees on administrative leave must understand how their situation affects their ability to draw unemployment compensation.
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When Did Extended Unemployment Benefits Start In Texas
Extended benefits date to 1971 and kick in during times of high unemployment. In April, the states unemployment rate was 12.8%, topping the previous high of 9.2% in 1986. The states unemployment rate exceeded the 5% threshold to trigger the latest extended benefits period, which the federal government reimburses to the state.
Can Furloughed Workers Receive Unemployment Benefits
Yes. Furloughed workers those put on mandatory unpaid leave â are encouraged to apply for Florida unemployment benefits. If your hours were reduced or you were put on a zero-hour schedule, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Even if your employer says you wonât qualify, you should apply anyways. Eligibility is based on your earnings in a prior week, not the number of hours you worked. Once you apply for benefits, the Reemployment Assistance team will review your information and determine your eligibility.
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Is There An Extension For Unemployment In Nj
Yes, under the American Rescue Plan Act, recipients of regular Unemployment benefits are likely eligible for federal extensions, provided by Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , through the week ending September 4, 2021. If you exhaust these benefits, you may also be eligible for additional weeks of state unemployment benefits.
What Is The Maximum Unemployment Benefit In Missouri
During the second and third quarters of the base period, you take a 4 percent biweekly benefit . In Missouri, the maximum WBA is $320 for women. It is legal to claim 20 weeks of benefits during your benefit year once. The unemployment benefit calculator or the eligibility form you may want to read or see.
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Access To The Leave Death Of A Child
In order for you to qualify for this 104-week leave, it will be necessary to establish that the child has died, and that death was the result of a probable crime. Although this normally requires finding the childs body, there may be cases where the childs death and the criminal nature of that death are clear, despite the inability to find or identify the childs remains.
Be Prepared To Talk About Your Termination
Job loss is common and you may be asked about it during job interviews. In particular, you may be asked questions like Why are you looking for a job? or Why did you leave your last job? You should prepare answers to these questions so that you can present yourself in the most positive light.
Consider these resources as you are preparing your answers:
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Appeal A Denial Of Benefits
If you were denied unemployment benefits, you may file an appeal online. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity refers to those seeking benefits as Claimants. Claimants, employers, and authorized representatives may appeal a decision that was not made in their favor.
You must wait until after a determination is mailed or delivered to file an appeal. The determination will also contain instructions on how to file your appeal after a denial of benefits.
Guide To Applying For Unemployment Benefits
Receive your benefits. 1. Look for your EDD Debit Card in the mail. Benefit payments for Unemployment Insurance, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance , Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave are all made using the EDD Debit Card. Typically, it will take about a week after you certify before you receive your first benefit payment.
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I Quit My Last Job Can I Still Receive Benefits
If you quit your last job, you are probably not able to receive employment benefits.However, if you can show that you left your job for good cause, you may still be eligible.Good cause means that you had a significant reason to leave your last job. Some examplesare racial or sexual harassment at work, large decrease in wages, or major changes inworking hours. If you can demonstrate that you left your job for a good reason, you may stillbe able to receive benefits.
Who Is Eligible For Benefits
Important update: Federal extended unemployment benefits expired September 4, 2021. Learn more here.
When you first apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits, we look at a few different factors to see if you qualify.
We need to know why you’re out of work, and whether your recent earnings meet the minimum required by law.
After you first qualify for benefits, you will need to meet some additional requirements in order to keep receiving them.
Some workers, like school employees and business owners, have their own unique qualifications. If you are self-employed and do not pay for Unemployment Insurance through your paycheck, you may not be eligible for benefits.
Read out FAQs on who is eligible for benefits here.
Why are you unemployed?
Did you earn enough during your “base year period” of employment?
To receive benefits, you have to meet a minimum earnings requirement during your . The base period is the timeframe used to determine if you qualify for UI benefits and to calculate your benefit amount. The regular base year period consists of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week you file an initial claim.Your consists of 52 weeks and is determined by the date you apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits, as outlined in the chart below:
| If your claim is dated in: | Your claim is based on employment from: |
Are you a teacher or other school employee?
Are you a corporate officer or business owner?
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Here Are Every State’s Unemployment Rules
In Florida, for example, the waiver applies only to unemployment claims filed before May 30. If you live in a state whose waiver expires, shown in green in the map below, you should check back as the scheduled end date approaches. Many places have extended any time limits, as uncertainty around the pandemic continues.
If Youve Exhausted Your Employment Insurance Benefits
If youve exhausted your Employment Insurance benefits and are no longer eligible for EI, you may be eligible for the Canada Recovery Benefit if you meet the eligibility criteria . However, if you worked while on your EI claim, you may be able to establish a new EI claim. To determine your EI eligibility, you should make an EI claim before applying for the CRB .
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State Requirements For Collecting Benefits
Registering with the state job service and actively seeking work is a requirement while collecting unemployment. You must be ready, willing, available and able to work. The job service may require job seekers to apply for jobs, submit resumes, and not turn down a position if it meets specific standards.
Some of the requirements for collecting benefits have been waived due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Your state job service offices can be excellent resources to assist with a job search. Many free services are offered, including job listings, career counseling, resume and cover letter writing help, and training. Take advantage of the help they can give you it will make your job search easier.
Did Not Work In Washington State
You cannot apply for unemployment benefits in Washington or file weekly claims here if you did not work in this state during the past 18 months. The only exceptions are if you were in the military or worked for the federal government.
You must file your claim with one of the state where you worked in the last 18 months. Contact each state where you worked to find out your claim options for those states.
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Weather Related Unemployment: Whats The Difference
First things first: do not confuse seasonal unemployment with a weather-related job disruption. While there are jobs that entail seasonal unemployment caused by weather , these should be viewed as seasons, therefore the layoffs are due to seasonal demands.
Weather-related unemployment only becomes valid when a weather-induced disruption causes loss in wages or outright unemployment. A lifeguard who goes home for the winter is not the same as a construction worker laid off for a few weeks because of snow. In this scenario, the construction worker would qualify for unemployment benefits, but not the lifeguard.
