How Do I File An Initial Claim For Unemployment Benefits
All Unemployment Insurance benefit claims are filed by calling a Claims Center and completing the claim by telephone. Please have the following information available when you make your call:
- Your Social Security Number
- Alien Registration Number
- Nebraska Drivers License Number or Nebraska ID
- Complete names and addresses of all employers, and the dates that you worked for them during the past 18 months.
To file an initial New Claim application or to reopen an existing claim:
Lincoln Area 4582500Omaha Area 8292800Toll Free Number 18777259918
To file a Weekly Claim for a Benefit Check:
Lincoln Area 4717850Omaha Area 5951030TollFree Number 1888 2983455
Do You Meet The Minimum Earnings Requirement
Nearly all states use a one-year base period to determine whether you’ve earned enough in wages to qualify for unemployment. The Nebraska Department of Labor , the agency that administers unemployment benefits, will look to the five quarters immediately preceding your claim. The first four out of those five quarters is considered the base period. For example, if you file your claim in July of 2019, your base period will be April of 2018 to March of 2019.
To meet the earnings requirement, you must have earned at least $4,246.00 during the entire base period, with at least $1,850 earned in one quarter and at least $800 earned in another quarter.
How To Apply For Benefits
Before you apply
Before you file an initial application for benefits, you will need to make sure you have several pieces of information available:
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s license number or State ID card number
- If you select direct deposit, your bank routing number and account number
- The company names for all your employers from the past 18 months as they appear on your paycheck stubs or W-2 forms
- Complete mailing addresses of employers, including ZIP code and the city in which the business is physically located
- Your start and end dates with each employer, including month, day, and year
- Your reason for leaving each employer
- Employment authorization number and expiration date
- If you served in the military the past 18 months, DD 214 Member #4 Form.
- If you worked for the federal government as a civilian employee in the last 18 months, Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50. Also, compile your total wages earned with the federal employer in the last 18 months and indicate how you were paid .
Filing an initial claim
File an initial claim the same week you are unemployed or working reduced hours. Your unemployment insurance claim DOES NOT begin on the date your job ended or your hours were reduced. Your claim is effective the week you apply.
All claims must be filed online here.
If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home, you can use computers at any Nebraska Department of Labor Job Center location.
While your claim is being processed
Filing weekly claims
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Eligibility Requirements For Nebraska Unemployment Benefits
In nearly all states, you must meet the following three requirements in order to be eligible to receive unemployment benefits:
- You must have earned a certain minimum amount in wages or worked a certain number of hours at your job.
- You must be out of work through no fault of your own.
- You must be ready and willing to work, and you must be actively looking for employment.
Unemployment Benefit Legal Issues
Having legal counsel to obtain unemployment benefits can make a difference. It is best to hire an Omaha lawyer who handles unemployment benefits cases. He or she can form the arguments to use at the appeal hearing, meet the deadline for filing your appeal and present your case to the administrative judge.
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Economy Grew At 25% Rate In Spring
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual rate from April through June, much faster than previously estimated. The steep revision was largely because U.S. companies exported more goods and imports declined. The Commerce Department said second-quarter growth was sharply higher than the initial 1.7 percent rate it reported last month. And the growth this spring was more than double the 1.1 percent rate from January through March. The improvement in the trade deficit helped offset weaker government spending.
Speak To An Experienced Employment Law Attorney Today
This article is intended to be helpful and informative. But even common legal matters can become complex and stressful. A qualified employment lawyer can address your particular legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. Take the first step now and contact an attorney in your area from our directory to discuss your specific legal situation.
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Business Digest: Fewer File For Unemployment
- From staff and wire reports
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits remained near the lowest level in more than five years last week.
First-time applications for benefits fell 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 331,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, inched up 750 to 331,250 after falling to its lowest level since November 2007 the previous week.
Applications for unemployment benefits reflect layoffs. At the depths of the recession in March 2009, they numbered 670,000. The average has fallen 10 percent this year. All told, nearly 4.5 million people received unemployment benefits in the week that ended Aug. 10, the latest period for which figures are available. That’s about 30,000 more than in the previous week.
What Will Disqualify You From Unemployment Benefits
Not everyone who is out of work qualifies for unemployment. If youre fired for cause, quit , or refuse suitable work, you may be denied unemployment benefits. Lying on any part of your benefit applications can also disqualify you, and maybe even come with criminal penalties or require you to pay back the money youve already received. How long you worked at your previous job and the pay you made could also affect your eligibility.
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Our Experienced Nebraska Bankruptcy Attorneys Are Here To Help
For more information, please contact our office and ask for the report titled, Coronavirus CARES ACT Unemployment Benefits If you have questions about how the Coronavirus pandemic may impact your financial situations, call the experienced bankruptcy attorneys at Steffens Law Office at 308-221-8924, or fill out our form to contact us today.
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How Do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits
If youve recently lost a job and qualify for unemployment benefits, youll need to apply to receive them. Youll generally need to apply through the state you were working in, though some cases may differ and ask you to apply in the state you live in, so verify with a local unemployment office if you live and work in different states. Whether in person or online, youll need to fill out a form with some basic identifying information and details about your last job. Once youre approved and in the system, youll need to apply each week to collect benefits. During this time, youll also need to provide information on jobs youre applying to, recruiters youre working with, or state-sponsored career building events youre attending.
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When To Hire A Lawyer
It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if youve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.
Managing Your Budget During Unemployment
Now that your income has been cut off, the issue of money is front and center. The main thing is not to make any rash decisions. It is time to sit down and plan.
Create a budget
- Prioritize your monthly expenditures starting with the things you must have: food, housing, electricity, health and car insurance, etc. Then look at the other expenditures you make each month and decide what you can cut back on. Don’t forget future expenses when creating your budget such as income or property tax, and any outstanding debts.
- Take a look at the things you can do without and find ways to cut spending now. In these uncertain times it is better to do without now than be struggling later. Decide what are luxuries and what are necessities. Little cut-backs add up. If you have retained your association membership, check for coupons and savings from Membership Benefits | NSEA
Be careful with credit.
The National Education Association Member Benefits and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling have teamed up to provide financial literacy and debt management education to NEA members and their families
A special web page provides information about the financial counseling and education services offered through NFCC member agencies located nationwide. NFCC member agencies offer comprehensive financial and debt management services including:
- One-on-one financial counseling
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Are You Available And Actively Searching For Work
To be eligible for unemployment, you must be able and available to perform work on at least four days out of the week. You must also be actively searching for work, which includes making at least two job contacts each week and keeping an online log of your work search activities. The Nebraska DOL may audit your work search log to verify your efforts.
If you’re offered suitable employment, you must accept it. Whether a job is suitable depends on what’s typical in your occupation in terms of hours, wages, commuting distance, and the skill and training required. If you turn down a suitable job offer, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits for 12 weeks.
How Much Will I Receive
The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2018 is $414.
Your individual benefits are calculated by identifying the highest quarter earnings in your base period. That amount is then divided by 13 to arrive at the average weekly wage, then divided again by two and rounded down to the next even dollar amount to arrive at your weekly benefit amount.
Filing your initial claim online will allow you to receive an estimate of your weekly benefit amount at the end of the filing process. You will also be advised of your weekly benefit amount when you receive your monetary determination.
You may be eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits during a 12-month period. The maximum amount of unemployment benefits you may receive during your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit amount, or 1/3 of your total base period wages, whichever is less.
The Base Period is the time period of employment used to evaluate your claim. A quarter consists of three consecutive months. Each calendar year consists of four quarters. The regular base period is the first four of the last five completed quarters at the time of your claim
If eligibility cannot be established for a regular base period claim, the Department of Labor will explore alternate base period eligibility. The alternate base period consists of the last four completed quarters.
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Nebraska Extends 2020 Tax Filing Deadline: 3 Reasons You Might Need More Time
This week, the IRS announced that Tax Day is being pushed back to May 17 to give Americans more time to prepare and pay their federal taxes, and in a news conference, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that the Nebraska Department of Revenue will follow suit.
The extension for filing and payment is for everyone except for those who file estimated tax payments in advance. Here are some reasons that this has become an irregular tax filing season, which might require more time for Nebraskans to get their tax situations squared away.
1) Remembering your 2020 Nebraska Property Tax Incentive credit.
Nebraskas newest property tax relief program isnt provided to taxpayers automatically. It must be claimed as an income tax credit by filing state income tax Form PTC along with your state tax return. On Form PTC, property taxpayers submit their land parcel number, along with the allowed amount of school-related real property tax they paid in 2020.
Its possible to complete your state income tax return electronically for free on the Nebraska Department of Revenue website along with Form PTC. But many people using tax preparing services like Turbotax might miss the step of filing for the new tax credit. Heres some info from Turbotaxs team to give you a head start on filing the form through that service.
3) Some Americans can still claim last years $1,200 and $600 Economic Impact Payments as a tax credit.
One thing thats not a problem in Nebraska: taxing forgiven PPP loans.
Looking For A Job While Claiming Benefits
The first step in applying for benefits is to create an account at NEworks.nebraska.gov and post your resume online for employers to view.
On NEworks, you can search job listings and apply for positions that match your qualifications. You can even set up a virtual recruiter to automatically schedule job searches. Employers searching for workers with skill sets matching yours will be able to review your resume and contact you regarding potential employment.
While you are receiving unemployment benefits, at least one of the required weekly job contacts must be completed through NEworks.
Please log on to file an initial unemployment insurance claim, certify your weekly eligibility or reopen a claim. If you need assistance in filing your claim online, or if you have earned federal, military or out- of-state wages in the last 18 months, call the Nebraska Claims Center at 402-458-2500.
The Department of Labor provides a reemployment program that includes an orientation session and one-on-one assistance. Staff will review your employment history, help you create an employment plan and refer you to the reemployment services that fit your needs.
Job assistance is available at the following American Job Centers:
American Job Center, BeatriceHours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. M – F 5109 W. Scott Rd., Ste. 413 Beatrice, NE 68310-7059
Email:
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Nsea Nea Member Benefits Offers Assistance To Members Facing Job Loss And Salary Cuts
As the country’s economy begins to recover, educators are still vulnerable to layoffs and salary reductions. In addition, many NEA members have suffered losses of income by spouses and other family members.
If you are one of those educators who has lost a job, or are the spouse of someone who has lost a job, take heart. NSEA and NEA can help lessen the effect of your loss of income.
NEA Member Benefits has examined its program offerings and worked with program partners to identify resources and accommodations that could potentially help affected members and their families.
Various types of support are available to program participants and members, including:
- Job search service
- Retirement savings waivers
A special Member Assistance page on the NEA MB Web site, neamb.com, provides details about these and other support resources. The page also includes a downloadable brochure with summary information about assistance options.
To access the Member Assistance page, visit www.neamb.com and click on the Member Assistance article on the homepage, or enter “Member Assistance” in the search box at the top of the homepage and click “Search.”
In addition, members may call the NEA MB Member Service Center toll free at 1-800-637-4636 and speak to a Member Service Representative or email their questions to .
Meanwhile, each year at this time, NSEA provides resources to members whose jobs have been terminated.
What If I Am Denied Benefits
Adjudication is the process used to resolve questions regarding eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. Your claim may be referred to an adjudicator if there are questions about why you left your job or whether you are able and available for work.
During adjudication, a determination will be made about your claim based on all available information, including information from you, your employers, and sometimes other sources.
While your claim is pending adjudication, you should continue to file weekly claims and complete your weekly online work search logs. If your claim is determined payable and you have met all other eligibility requirements, you will receive back payments for prior weeks claimed in a lump sum.
If you disagree with a determination issued, you have the right to appeal within 20 days.
You can file an appeal several ways:
Online: neworks.nebraska.gov
If your appeal is in writing, you must state the reason you wish to appeal, and include your signature, Social Security Number and employers name. Include the Determination ID from your determination letter.
By email:
After you file, you will be notified by the Nebraska Appeal Tribunal that an appeal has been received. In a separate notice, you will be informed of the time and date of the hearing.
While your appeal is pending, continue to file for weekly benefits, complete any required work search contacts, and log these contacts here.
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Resources For Nsea Members
NSEA members – don’t forget to utilize your membership benefits:
- Your NSEA Organizational Specialist: The first person you should call when your job is in jeopardy is your Organizational Specialist. Among the myriad of sources, resources and expertise directors can provide you are employee assistance, counseling and credit programs plus workshops and advice on applying for unemployment, resume writing, the job search, interview skills, health insurance and more.
- Continuation of NSEA Membership: You may maintain your legal protection, along with all other rights, resources and benefits, with the maintenance of your active membership in the NSEA. You can’t buy this kind of protection anywhere else for so little money. It can mean the difference between future employment in your current location and relocation to find other employment. NSEA members: Your current membership is valid through August 2010. When you get another job, services, rights and benefits start again when you renew your NSEA membership. If you have questions or need additional information, contact your local association or Organizational Specialist.
- NEA Member Benefits – NEA provides no- or low-interest loans, financial services, discounted insurance programs and other special services to help you achieve your financial goals and help you make smart decisions.
