Why Do Unemployment Benefits Have To End
Unemployment benefits provide a safety net for workers who are laid off from their jobs, until they can get work again. They are not meant to be a permanent solution. If unemployment benefits did not expire, there would be far less incentive for unemployed workers to look for jobs, and the taxes paid to fund the program would become too onerous to maintain.
Unfortunately, sometimes even with diligent effort, a person may remain unemployed after their regular and/or extended unemployment benefits end. If that happens to you, you will need to redouble your efforts to find a job. If it has not been up to now, your full-time job should be to find a new job. You might consider moving to a new city or state with more opportunities for work.
If you cannot support yourself or your family without assistance, there are still other government programs you may qualify for including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , or other social service programs.
Remember that there are also many community and church-sponsored relief programs, including food banks, soup kitchens, and employment counseling, that are available. Your local library or community center should be able to help you find assistance in your area.
Number Of Hours Of Insurable Employment Required To Qualify For Eitemporary
The qualifying period is the shorter of:
Exception: In some cases, the qualifying period may be extended to a maximum of 104 weeks if you werent employed in insurable employment or if you werent receiving EI benefits.
Until September 24, 2022 Temporary
You only need to have accumulated 420 hours of insurable employment during your qualifying period to qualify for EI benefits.
If you were assessed a violation, you may need more insurable hours to qualify for benefits. The required amount rises based on the number and seriousness of misrepresentations that have been recorded in the 5-year period before the start of your claim.
After September 24, 2022
You will need between 420 and 700 hours of insurable employment based on the unemployment rate in your area during the qualifying period to qualify for regular benefits:
Once you have determined the unemployment rate in your area, see the table below for the number of hours required.
Look up EI Economic Region by Postal Code to find out the unemployment rate in your region and the number of hours to qualify for regular benefits.
If you received a notice of violation regarding prior EI benefit periods, the number of insurable hours required to qualify is increased.
The Importance Of Your Unemployment Base Period
Unemployment insurance benefits are calculated for hours you work and income you earn in what is known as a base period. Literally defined, a base period is information used to base the amount of benefits you will receive.
In most instances, your base period is the most recent four out of the last five full calendar quarters before your claim is filed.
For example, if you file a claim in April 2016, the base period used to calculate eligibility would be January 2015 through December 2015.
| Date of Claim |
|---|
If you don’t qualify for unemployment benefits based on a standard base period, many states have an alternate base period you can use to qualify. It is usually the four most recent calendar quarters before the claim is filed.
You May Like: Sign Up For Tennessee Unemployment
Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed
Educational Help
Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.
Self-Employment Help
Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.
How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Benefits
To qualify for unemployment benefits, we look at the wages you were paid in the first four of the last five calendar quarters the standard base period.
A person must earn at least one and a half times the highest amount of wages paid in any quarter of the base period. A person can also qualify using the Alternate Earnings Qualifier. This means you must have total base period wages of at least $20,458.00, and you must have wages in at least two calendar quarters in the base period.
If you file a new claim for benefits and your last benefit year expired within the last six calendar quarters, you must additionally satisfy the following earnings requirement:
- Worked after your prior benefit year began and
- Been paid, by a liable employer, at least five times the last weekly benefit amount that was in effect on your prior benefit year.
If you meet the requirements to establish a claim, for each week you claim benefits you must also be:
- Able to work
Also Check: Can You File Bankruptcy On Unemployment Overpayment
When And How Will I Be Paid My Weekly Unemployment
Florida unemployment benefit recipients can receive benefits electronically through the use of a debit card. These debit cards serve as an alternative method for your Florida unemployment compensation. Payments are conveniently and automatically directly deposited into a personal debit card account. Cards can then be used at any merchant or service that accepts debit cards, along with the option of receiving cash back from merchants or banks.
This means there is no time spent waiting for checks to come in the mail, funds can be accessed 24/7, less chance of mail theft or identity fraud, and your account is FDIC insured. If you have questions about the Florida Visa Debit Card Program, call 1-888-898-3584.
Claimants can also choose to have their benefits direct deposited into their bank accounts as well.
How Will I Receive My Unemployment Benefits
According to the Department of Labor, after you file a claim, it will take approximately two to three weeks before you see your first benefit check.
In some states, you will have a one-week waiting period between the time you become unemployed and when you first become eligible for benefits. You will not receive unemployment compensation for this week when that is the case. After the waiting period, it generally takes an additional week to process your claim.
How much money you receive will generally be calculated on a percentage of your prior earnings during your base period, up to a cap limit set by the state in which you apply for benefits. Currently, weekly benefit amounts range up to $900 per week, but the vast majority of people receive between $200 and $400 per week.
Read Also: Ways To Make Money When Unemployed
Who Is Eligible For Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment eligibility requirements vary from state to state. They can also change due to unexpected economic circumstances, as seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, or during other periods of high unemployment. This means youll want to check out your states current requirements when youre ready to file your claim.
In general, youre likely to be eligible for unemployment if you:
- Are unemployed through no fault of your own.
- Are willing and able to work, and willing to accept any suitable offer of employment.
- Are actively searching for work .
- Earned enough and worked enough during the base period to meet your states requirements before becoming unemployed.
New York Unemployment Benefits And Eligibility
COVID-19 UPDATE: Because the coronavirus pandemic has left so many Americans jobless, the federal government has given states more flexibility in granting unemployment benefits. If you have questions about whether youre eligible for unemployment benefits read our COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits and Insurance FAQ and check out your New York’s claimant handbook.
Don’t Miss: Bankofamerica.com/kdoldebitcard
How Much Money Will I Receive
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical US worker earned about $1,000 a week at the end of 2019. Weekly unemployment benefit payouts typically replace about 40 to 45% of that median paycheck amount — but vary by state California residents, for example, get about $450 a week. Unless there’s another stimulus package, you’re only set to receive what your state approves.
Read more: New national eviction moratorium for the rest of 2020: What you need to know
To Request A Hearing Before An Administrative Law Judge
New York State Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15131, Albany, NY 12212-5131.
Your written request must be received within 30 days of the determination. Be sure your Social Security number appears at the top right-hand corner on all pages.
The State of New York maintains a Claimant Advocate Office to assist people in all stages of their claims process. For more information, call 528-5618, MF, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Don’t Miss: How Do I Transfer Unemployment To Bank Account
Check Eligibility For Unemployment Benefits
Most Massachusetts workers are covered by the Unemployment Insurance program, although workers in some jobs may not be eligible for benefits.
If youre self-employed, a contractor, or otherwise not traditionally eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance . If youre unemployed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and are able and available to work, learn more about PUA.
When you apply for Unemployment Insurance , your initial eligibility for benefits is based on your earnings and your reason for leaving your job. Ongoing eligibility requirements include being able to work, available for work, and actively searching for work.
How To File A Claim For Unemployment Benefits
The single most important thing to remember when dealing with unemployment insurance is to file a claim as soon as possible after you become unemployed.
Chances are you will be in an emotional state if your detachment was unexpected, and you may experience a sense of awkwardness in going from a gainfully employed person to one who is seeking help. But you need to set these feelings and emotions aside for your own good and file the necessary paperwork immediately to protect your financial well-being.
To file your claim, contact your state unemployment insurance agency. Claims can generally be filed online, although there are some instances where claims can be filed over the telephone or by mail. You may also have social security eligibility.
You should always file your unemployment benefits claim in the state where you worked. But if you no longer live in that state or you worked in several states, you should contact your current state unemployment agency for clarification on how to proceed.
You should have the following information available when you file your claim:
- Name, address, telephone
- Most recent employers Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number, if you have it.
Newly unemployed?
Several online serviceslike FlexJobs, 360training, or MyPerfectResumecan help you find work-from-home jobs, build a better resume, or earn training certifications.
Don’t Miss: Unemployment Ticket Number Pa
Why Was My Unemployment Claim Denied
When you submit a claim for unemployment, it is reviewed by the appropriate agency in your state. They will make a determination as to whether or not your claim is valid, entitling you to benefits or not. There are some instances why your claim may be denied.
You quit your job. If you voluntarily make the choice to leave your employer, you will be held accountable as the party at fault for becoming unemployed. In some instances, you may be able to cite a just cause that will allow you to collect unemployment, but those reasons can be difficult to prove.
You were fired. If your actions at your job through misconduct or other job performance issues cause you to be fired, then your unemployment insurance claim will probably be turned down. In some states, you can also be fired for misconduct that takes place outside the workplace as well.
Not looking for work. If you are already receiving benefits and you dont report your job hunting activities in a timely fashion, your benefits may be discontinued.
Receiving severance pay. If youre getting severance pay from your employer, then you are receiving income and this may disqualify you from getting unemployment insurance benefits for the duration that the severance pay is in effect.
If you are denied benefits when you file an unemployment insurance claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. You will be given an opportunity to make your case in an attempt to gain benefits you feel you are entitled to.
To Be Eligible For Benefits You Must:
Also Check: How Do I Sign Up For Unemployment In Nc
How Much Will Your Benefits Be
Once you file for unemployment and are approved, you will begin to receive benefits. Your benefits might come in the form of a check, but more often they will come in the form of a debit card or direct deposit to your bank account. It varies by state. You typically can file weekly online, by email, or by phone.
The amount you receive depends on your weekly earnings prior to being laid off and on the maximum amount of unemployment benefits paid to each worker. In many states, you will be compensated for half of your earnings, up to a certain maximum.
State benefits are typically paid for a maximum of 26 weeks. Some states provide benefits for a lower number of weeks, and maximum benefits also vary based on where you live. In times of high unemployment, additional weeks of unemployment compensation may be available.
Regardless of how much you make, you never can collect more than the state maximum.
A Guide To New York Unemployment Benefits
The New York Department of Labor is the state agency that oversees administering unemployment insurance claims for citizens. It provides monetary benefits, job training, job search and other related services for those people who are actively seeking work in New York and who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
It is funded through employers in the state at no cost to New York unemployment insurance benefit applicants.
You May Like: Can You File Bankruptcy On Unemployment Overpayment
How Much Will You Be Paid By Unemployment Each Week When Will Your New York Unemployment Claim Be Processed And Paid
To calculate the amount of the benefit you are entitled to, the state of New York unemployment process uses one of two possible base periods. Base periods are divided into calendar quarters and the quarter you were paid the highest amount of wages determines the amount of your New York unemployment weekly claims. While you can determine ahead of time how much New York unemployment compensation you receive, you will be formally notified before your benefits begin.
New Yorks Basic Base Period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the beginning date of the UI claim. If you have earned enough wages in your Basic Base Period, those wages will be used to calculate your benefit amount.
If you do not have enough wages in the Basic Base Period to establish a claim, you may be able to use an Alternate Base Period. It is the last four completed calendar quarters prior to the beginning of the claim.
If you have enough wages in the Basic Base Period, the state will not automatically check to see if your benefit amount would be higher in the Alternate Base Period. If you think your New York unemployment amount would be higher, you can request that the state use your Alternate Base Period instead.
To qualify for NY unemployment benefits, you must meet the following earnings requirements during one of your base periods:
Benefits are paid for up to 26 weeks and will range from $104 to $504 for 2020.
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.
Recommended Reading: 888-372-3453
Unemployment Insurance Relief During Covid
Notice
The CARES Act gives states the option of extending unemployment compensation to independent contractors and other workers who are ordinarily ineligible for unemployment benefits. Please contact your states unemployment insurance office at the website or phone number provided below to learn more about the availability of these benefits where you live.
