This Spring I Received A Letter From Ides Indicating I Had Transitioned To A New Benefit Year I Have Been Unemployed Since April 2020 Since Federal Programs Have Ended How Does This Effect My Federal Benefit Payments
If you had not worked and earned at least three times your weekly benefit amount since the beginning of your first benefit year , your benefits were transitioned to a federal extension. All federal programs ended on September 4, 2021, so that was the last week of benefits payable to you. You might have also automatically been eligible for one week of extended benefits.
Community Services Block Grant Program
The Community Services Block Grant Program is designed to help members of low-income households be self-sufficient. The funds are distributed by local governments and non-profit agencies called Community Action Agencies.
These funds are used in a variety of ways to combat poverty, including:
- Providing emergency health, food, housing, day care, and transportation assistance
- Housing counseling
- Nutrition programs and federal surplus food distribution
- Community gardening projects
Im A Gig Worker Do I Qualify
Under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance part of the CARES Act, gig workers, independent contractors, self-employed workers and workers who dont have a long enough work history to qualify for regular state unemployment insurance now qualify for unemployment income, so long as their job loss is connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. These provisions are modeled on the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program.
Even before the CARES Act, experts encouraged such applicants to apply, because even if your company calls you an independent contractor, you may be misclassified.
To be eligible, people have to be employees. What people need to know is that it is not up to the company that hires you to decide if you are an employee or not, even if they call you an independent contractor, said Terri Gerstein, director of the state and local enforcement project at the Harvard Law School Labor and Worklife Program. Ultimately that is a legal determination that the state decides when you apply for unemployment insurance.
New Jersey, for example, ordered Uber to pay $650 million in unemployment and disability insurance taxes for misclassifying drivers as independent contractors.
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Can You Reapply For Unemployment
Can you reapply for unemployment? While a person can reapply for unemployment after the end of their current benefit year in March 2021, lets say their aid may be much less than it had been previously. They may also be deemed ineligible for any benefits.
Hereof, Do I have to apply for unemployment again?
To continue receiving benefits, you must reopen your claim. You can reopen your claim if it was filed within the last 52 weeks and you have not used all of your benefits. If your benefit year has ended, you may need to reapply for unemployment. Visit Benefit Year End for more information.
Similarly What happens when your benefit year ends with unemployment? A regular unemployment insurance benefit year ends 12 months after the claim started. Once your benefit year ends: You must reapply for a new claim if you earned enough wages in the last 18 months and are still unemployed or working part time.
What About Medical Religious Or Other Exemptions
If you have a valid medical or religious reason for not getting vaccinated, you may be able to receive UI benefits, even if you quit or are fired. That’s because employers must provide such exemptions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 . The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is the administrative entity that enforces anti-discrimination laws, offers guidance on the issue.
However, if you qualify for an exemption for a disability or a deeply held religious belief, an employer could have a defense against paying unemployment “if it can show that accommodating a religious view would be an undue hardship,” Kohler said.
And requests for exemptions aren’t guaranteed. “No major religion’s doctrine prohibits vaccinations,” said Jack Tuckner, women’s rights in the workplace attorney and founding partner of Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sisper. He also noted that medical exemptions are “a challenging uphill battle” given the CDC’s opinion that “the only people who shouldn’t get vaccinated are those who had a severe allergic reaction, e.g., anaphylaxis, immediately after a first vaccine dose or to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
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You Don’t Account For Taxes
Don’t forget that unemployment earnings count as taxable income, including the extra $600 per week provided by the stimulus bill. Federal income tax is withheld at a rate of 10%, and you may owe state taxes depending on where you live.
You can elect to either have withholdings taken out from the start of your benefit period, or you may be required to make quarterly estimated payments. Either way, make a plan for paying taxes on your unemployment benefit.
Ultimately, “Unemployment insurance is an earned benefit,” Evermore says. “People have an entitlement to it if they lose work through no fault of their own. People should see it that way and do everything they can to access their benefit.”
Who Qualifies For Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits are available to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own, such as a layoff. Those fired for cause , or who leave voluntarily or refuse an offer for work, need not apply.
In March 2020, when the coronavirus first disrupted the economy, Congress granted unemployment benefits to workers who werent previously covered. Those who now qualify include:
- Workers permanently or temporarily laid off due to coronavirus measures
- Workers whose employers reduced their work hours due to coronavirus measures
- Self-employed workers who have lost income due to coronavirus measures
- Workers quarantined and unable to work due to coronavirus
- Workers unable to work due to risk of exposure to coronavirus
- Workers unable to work while caring for a family member due to coronavirus
Each state, district and territory sets its own guidelines for who is eligible for unemployment benefits and how much theyll receive. You must meet your states criteria for wages earned or time worked during an established period, known as a base period, which is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters before the time that your claim is filed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The general rule of thumb is that unemployment benefits are based on a percentage of ones earnings roughly between 40% and 60% over a recent 52-week period, and paid out weekly over a period of between 12 to 28 weeks, depending on the state.
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Collect Your Unemployment Benefits
Most claims are processed within two to three calendar weeks or 10 business days, although delays could occur during times of high claim volumes. Several states conduct telephone interviews before the final ruling to help prevent potential unemployment insurance fraud. During this interview, you will be asked specific questions about your employment background and other information mentioned in your claim.
Once your claim has been processed, you will need to make an appointment at your nearest American Job Center for your state or set up an account online. These state-run agencies give people access to job listings and career training resources, and registration is mandatory to receive your unemployment insurance benefits. If you have any difficulty locating your local center, contact your state unemployment agency for assistance. While you may be breathing an initial sigh of relief once your initial claim is processed, be sure to maintain your eligibility status by continuing your job search as directed.
Requirements For Qualifying For Unemployment
Eligibility requirements to qualify for unemployment compensation vary from state to state. However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are two main criteria that must be met in order to qualify:
1. You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In this case, a persons unemployment must be caused by an external factor beyond his or her control, such as a layoff or a furlough. Quitting your job with a good reason or being fired for misconduct in the workplace will most likely render you ineligible for unemployment benefits.
There may be an exception, however, if wrongful termination or constructive discharge played a role in your termination from employment.
2. You must meet your states requirements for time worked or wages earned during a set period of time. This marker can be confusing, but its safe to assume that if you had a long-term job that you lost unexpectedly or without just cause, you would meet your states requirements.
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What If I Was Furloughed
In contrast to a layoff — in which a job is permanently eliminated — a furlough is closer to a temporary leave of absence. Furloughed workers sometimes continue to receive some benefits including health insurance.
Unemployment benefits for furloughed employees vary from state to state. But the first stimulus bill provided expanded coverage so that even furloughed employees could receive unemployment benefits. And, unlike workers who were laid off, furloughed employees do not have to provide proof of having lost their job.
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.
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How To Determine Whether You’re Eligible For Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance is a program that’s jointly run by the state and federal government, so while the application procedure can vary by state, the overall process and eligibility requirements are more or less the same.
As the US Department of Labor outlines on its website, you will typically qualify for benefits if you:
- “Are unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states, this means you have to have separated from your last job due to a lack of available work.”
- “Meet work and wage requirements. You must meet your state’s requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a “base period.” “
- “Meet any additional state requirements. Find details of your own state’s program.”
The Department of Labor has issued guidance to states to allow more flexibility with unemployment insurance during the coronavirus outbreak. That includes allowing states to pay benefits for workers who are quarantined and cannot go to work or workers who leave a job due to a risk of exposure or to care for a family member.
Some restaurants and hotels have put their workers on zero hour schedules and told them they’re not eligible to file for unemployment benefits because they’re not technically laid off. But if you had zero earnings in the prior week and your employer didn’t offer you any hours, you’re likely eligible, according to Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation.
When in doubt? Apply.
What Can Affect My Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Benefits
To keep your Minnesota unemployment benefits eligibility, you must maintain eligibility each week you receive benefits. The following may affect eligibility or cause adjustments to the benefit amount you receive:
No longer meeting weekly eligibility requirements
You must maintain all points of eligibility to continue receiving benefits. If you get a seasonal or part-time job with an income threshold that still qualifies you for benefits, you must maintain an active job search. Receiving some income does not make you exempt from job search eligibility requirements. Additionally, if you have or develop a medical condition that prevents you from working, youre no longer eligible for benefits.
Working/earning wages while receiving benefits
In your Minnesota unemployment weekly claim, youll be asked whether or not you worked during that period and the wages you earned. Though earning an income does not immediately disqualify you from receiving benefits, your Minnesota unemployment rate will likely be reduced if you earned wages during that period.
Fraud and payment errors
If you make a mistake on your weekly Minnesota unemployment claim, you should contact the Minnesota unemployment department. Your benefits will be adjusted accordingly and there will be no penalty. If you discover that you have made a mistake during the Minnesota unemployment claim filing process, you should contact the unemployment department as soon as possible.
Deductions
Pending application
Other income
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Filing An Initial Claim
What information do I need to file a new application?
When filing a new application, you will need the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Full mailing address, including apartment or lot number, Zip Code and PO Box if you use one
- A phone number where you can be reached during the day
- The name and mailing address of your last employer, no matter how long you worked there
- Note: Your paycheck stub or W-2 form usually contains this information
- The date you began and stopped working for each employer and the reason you left each job for the last 18 months
- The county in which you live
- Your driver’s license number
- If you are not a citizen or national of the United States, your employment authorization number and expiration date
- If you were active duty military within the past 18 months, your DD-214, Member #4 form
- If you were a federal employee, your Standard Form SF-50 or pay stub
- Any separation, vacation, or holiday pay you have received or will receive in the future.
A record of your application will not be established unless you are told your claim has been accepted. If you are unable to complete your application, the information you have entered will be saved for 7 days from the date you began filing the claim so that you can complete it later and within 7 days.
What if I have wages earned in another state, the military, or the federal government?
Go to GetKansasBenefits.gov and click to file an online application for unemployment insurance if:
Taxes On Unemployment Benefits
The Internal Revenue Service counts unemployment insurance benefits as income, so your check is taxable. Depending on the state, state and federal income tax can be withheld from your check. Keep all paperwork in order and make sure that you file income taxes, even if you were unemployed for all or most of the year.
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Weekly Claims And Work Search Requirements
Q) How do I file my weekly claim?
A) To file a weekly claim, log in to your account. You must file a weekly claim for any week that you want payment, even if your eligibility is being decided or you have an appeal pending. Answer all required questions on the weekly continued claim.If you need assistance with your claim, call UI Customer Service at 1-866-239-0843 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Q) When should I file my weekly claim?
A) The current week is the week that just ended on Saturday. Weekly claims must be filed 8:00 a.m. Sunday through 5:30 p.m. Friday for the prior week only. This means individuals have six days to file the previous week’s claim. Weekly claims can be filed online using a mobile device or computer. Have this information available when filing your weekly claim: Social Security Number, PIN, total amount of gross wages earned during the week, and total amount of gross holiday pay, gross vacation and severance, if received. Delay in filing your weekly claim could result in denial of benefits.
Q) What happens if I file my weekly claim late?
A) Filing your claim late may delay benefit payments or disqualify you for the weeks you filed late.
Q) Can I still file a claim if I’m working part-time?
Q) How many employer contacts do I need to make each week?
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.
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What Are Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits provide you with temporary income when you lose your job through no fault of your own. The money partly replaces your lost earnings and helps you pay expenses while looking for new work. The benefits, from taxes your former employer paid, are not based on financial need. While you receive benefits, your job is to get back to work as quickly as possible.
