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 Apply
To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.
- You should contact your state’s unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
- Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states.
- When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information.
- Find the contact information for your state’s unemployment office to start your claim.
Useful Information & Links
– IRS to send out final Child Tax Credit payment of 2021 on 15 December.
Stimulus checks
– Senior Citizens League urges Congress to grant additional stimulus check for Social Security recipients.
– Some states in the US could distribute a fourth stimulus check to their inhabitants.
Social Security
– The lowdown on the natural unemployment rate in the US.
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I Am About To Exhaust My Regular Unemployment Compensation Benefits What Kinds Of Relief Does The Cares Act Provide For Me
Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. PEUC benefits are available for weeks of unemployment beginning after your state implements the new program and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before December 31, 2020. The program covers most individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and who are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work as defined by state law. Importantly, the CARES Act gives states flexibility in determining whether you are actively seeking work if you are unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restrictions.
In addition, if you have exhausted the 13 weeks of additional benefits available under the PEUC program, you may be eligible to continue receiving benefits under the PUA program. PUA benefits are available for a period of unemployment of up to 39 weeks, meaning that if you have exhausted regular UC and PEUC benefits in fewer than 39 weeks, you may be eligible to receive assistance under PUA for the remaining weeks within PUAs 39 week period.
I Am An Independent Contractor But I Am Only Partially Unemployed Can I Receive Unemployment Benefits
This depends. IDES must determine if your work as an independent contractor is covered under Illinois law, the amount of wages from covered employment you received in the past, and what you are earning currently. You will receive a weekly benefit amount based on your past covered wages. If your current weekly income does not exceed your weekly benefit amount, not including dependent allowance, you may be eligible for benefits for that week. If your income exceeds your weekly benefit amount, then you would not be eligible for benefits for that week.
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What Is An Offer Of Suitable Employment And How Is It Connected To Unemployment Insurance Eligibility
Most state unemployment insurance laws include language defining suitable employment. Typically, suitable employment is connected to the previous jobs wage level, type of work, and the claimants skills.
Refusing an offer of suitable employment without good cause will often disqualify individuals from continued eligibility for unemployment compensation.
For example, if an individuals former employer calls the individual back to work after having temporarily laid the individual off for reasons related to COVID-19, the individual would very likely have to accept the offer to return to work, or jeopardize his or her eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits, absent some extenuating circumstance, such as if the individual tested positive for COVID-19. The job an individual held before the spread of COVID-19 will constitute, in the vast majority of cases, suitable employment for purposes of unemployment insurance eligibility.
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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Still Waiting For Unemployment Money This Works
Frustrated man trying to figure out why he is not getting paid his unemployment benefits.
Getty
Many Americans are still waiting to receive their unemployment checks. Having lived through this with a relative, I know how hard it is and how desperate and frustrated you can get while you wait and wait and wait. My relative, Mike, tried calling his state unemployment office, and waited 6 hours only to be disconnected as they transferred him to the person who could help him. He would try to call some days and could not even get in the queue to wait on hold. The message just said, the unemployment department has been overwhelmed with calls, try the website or call back. He felt so powerless.
One day, I listened to a radio show with state and federal legislators answering questions. Able to ask them a question on the air, I asked about the unemployment problem my relative, and many others were experiencing. My local State Representative said, call my office, and I can help you solve this issue. So Mike did just that, and they reached unemployment and got Mike connected to a lady at unemployment who solved his filing issues. Five days later, Mike got a large check for all the past-due unemployment monies due to him.
I thought most of the unpaid unemployment issues had been resolved by now, and states were doing a better job. Then two days ago, I got this email from Joe, a Baby Boomer, who is self-employed. He wrote to say:
Your Direct Deposit Information Was Incorrect
Signing up for direct deposit is often a faster, more secure way to get your unemployment benefits. However, its easy to make a mistake when youre typing in your routing or account number.
Try logging in to your unemployment benefit account and verifying that your information is correct. You might ask someone whom you trust to read aloud the numbers you entered while you look at one of your checks and make sure that things match up.
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Are You Eligible For Unemployment
First, make sure you are eligible for unemployment. While it varies based on your state, you generally need two things to qualify. First, you need to have lost your job through no fault of your own. It typically means you are ineligible if you quitalthough there are exceptions, like if you quit because of impossible work conditions. If you are fired for cause, you also are likely ineligible.
You also have to have been employed for a minimum amount of time or have earned a minimum amount in compensation.
Once you find out whether you are eligible, you can file a claim for unemployment benefits. If you’re not sure about your eligibility, check with your state unemployment office. You don’t want to lose out on unemployment compensation because you didn’t think you would qualify.
What If I Havent Filed A Tax Return
TAXPAYERS had until May 17 to file an extension if they needed more time to submit their returns.
If you didnt file a tax return or an extension, but should have, you need to take action or the penalties you face may increase.
If you file your return over 60 days late, youll have to pay a $435 fine or 100% of the tax you owe whichever is less.
However, there is no penalty for filing a late return after the tax deadline if a refund is due, said the IRS.
If you didnt file and owe tax, file a return as soon as you can and pay as much as possible to reduce penalties and interest.
You wont have to pay the penalties if you can show reasonable cause for the failure to do so on time we explain how in our guide.
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How Long Will It Take To Get My Unemployment Benefits After I File
The federal Department of Labors website says that you can expect your first unemployment check two or three weeks after you apply, as long as you submit all of the required information, and no follow-up is necessary. In some states, there is a waiting period between the time you become unemployed and when you are eligible for benefits. This means you wont receive any unemployment compensation for the first week you are out of work.
How To Find What Was Paid To Me In Unemployment Benefits
If you are currently getting unemployment benefits, or have received unemployment compensation in the past, you can check how much you were paid in benefits. If you are currently getting unemployment benefit payments, you can easily check on the amount paid to you on the most recent benefit payment sent to you. If you need the year-to-date information, you can also get that information from the state unemployment office. If you need the information for tax purposes, each state unemployment office does send out tax forms.
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Apply Online Instead Of By Phone
Some states enable you to apply for unemployment by phone if you’re not comfortable doing so over the internet. But applying online is the way to go if you’re trying to get your checks as quickly as possible. As I mentioned above, unemployment offices are extremely busy right now and you’ll probably experience long wait times if you try to call to complete your application.
Your state should have an online application form where you can enter all the required information. Due to the high volume of traffic to these sites, some states are requesting that you apply on a specific day or at a certain time, depending on the first letter of your last name, to avoid overwhelming the system. You can find this information on your state’s unemployment website.
Weekly Benefit Claim Requirements
Registering with the state job service and actively seeking work is a requirement while collecting unemployment in some locations. 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 certain standards.
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Im Partially Employed Because Im A Student And Work Part Time Doing Ride
You may be eligible for PUA, depending on your personal circumstances. A gig economy worker, such as a driver for a ride-sharing service, is eligible for PUA provided that he or she is unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work for one or more of the qualifying reasons provided for by the CARES Act. For example, a driver for a ride-sharing service may be forced to quit his or her job if he or she was diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified medical professional, and although the driver no longer has COVID-19, the illness caused health complications that render the driver objectively unable to perform his or her essential job functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Similarly, under an additional eligibility criterion established by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to 2102, a driver who receives an IRS Form 1099 from the ride-sharing service may qualify for PUA benefits if he or she has been forced to suspend operations as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as if an emergency state or municipal order restricting movement makes continued operations unsustainable. Relatedly, widespread social distancing undertaken in response to guidance from federal, state, or local governments may so severely reduce customer demand for a drivers services as to force him or her to suspend operations, and thus make the driver eligible for PUA.
Unemployment Benefits For Claimants
Federal Unemployment programs ended September 4, 2021, UI week 36/21.This includes Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation , Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation , Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation .Individuals with claims pending for weeks prior to September 5, 2021 will be paid for each week they are found eligible.
Visit to find resources to help you with your job search.
If you have become unemployed or partially unemployed, you may apply for unemployment benefits online. File weekly claims to receive benefit payments after requirements are met.
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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.
Types Of Disability Policies
There are two types of disability policies.
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Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year.
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Long-term policies may pay benefits for a few years or until the disability ends.
Employers who offer coverage may provide short-term coverage, long-term coverage, or both.
If you plan to buy your own policy, shop around and ask:
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How is disability defined?
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How long do benefits last?
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How much money will the policy pay?
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How To Apply For Unemployment Benefits
The best and fastest way to apply is online. You can apply by phone, but wait times are very long because of COVID-19. At this time, you cannot apply in person. The steps below will guide you through the process.
Get ready to apply
Before applying, gather information youll need. See Page 1 of the Unemployed Worker Handbook or visit the Have this information ready page.
Reasonable accommodation. Information on reasonable accommodation is available for unemployment-benefits customers with disabilities.
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