Individuals Unable To Work Due To Covid
A worker may file an unemployment claim at the same time they initiate a discrimination action with Labor and Industries . Unemployment claims are addressed on a case-by-case basis. Nonetheless, the following scenarios can be a useful guide:;
ALLOWABLE;
- An individual working at a worksite that does not follow guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Labor and Washington State Department of Health and who is unable to telework.
- An individual at high-risk for severe illness, in the same household as a person identified as high-risk or providing direct care for a person identified as high-risk who is therefore unable to work and is unable to telework.
- An individual must stay home to care for a young child because school or daycare is closed.
NOT ALLOWABLE;
- An individual that quits work for an essential employer maintaining a worksite that does meet guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Labor and Washington State Department of Health.
Note: Per federal guidance, quitting work without good cause to obtain unemployment benefits is fraud.;
Unemploymentclaims may be filed onlineor by phone at 800-318-6022. Learn more about what you’ll need in this unemployment application checklist .;
Worksource Assists Job Seekers And Businesses
Employment Security is a proud partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which provides employment and training assistance to job seekers and businesses.;WorkSourceWA.com;provides access to thousands of Washington jobs and other employment resources. WorkSource staff can connect you with employers hiring right now in your community, identify training opportunities or help you brush up on your application and interview skills. Find your nearest WorkSource center on the WorkSource office locator page.
Unemployment Insurance Claimant Advocate Office
Navigating your Unemployment Insurance claim, hearing or appeal may seem frustrating or confusing at times. We can help!
The Claimant Advocate Office operates within the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Division, separate from the Telephone Claims Center . Advocates provide free, impartial and confidential services that help claimants, particularly those with limited English proficiency or other barriers, understand their rights and responsibilities under Unemployment Insurance Law.
What issues can the Claimant Advocate Office assist with?
- You’ve received a determination or a questionnaire and don’t fully understand it;
- You were found ineligible for benefits and need the hearing process explained to you; and
- You have an upcoming hearing or appeal and need help preparing for it.
When should I contact the Telephone Claims Center instead of the Claimant Advocate Office?
- You wish to file a new claim.
- You would like an update on the status of your new or existing claim.
- You have a specific question about your claim.
- You were instructed to contact the claims center.
I am not fluent in English. Can an advocate assist me?
Yes! Services are provided in approximately 200 languages. We can explain the Unemployment Insurance process in the language in which you are comfortable speaking.
How do I contact an advocate for help?
If you prefer to speak to an advocate, please call 528-5618. Our hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Why Havent I Received My Unemployment Benefits
With no help in sight, people like Harris are turning to elected officials, lawyers, and even social media for help. Harris is part of the Unofficial California Unemployment Help Facebook group, which has drawn more than 56,000 members since it was started in March.;
When asked via email what is causing the delays, the California EDD cited unprecedented demand for unemployment benefits. The EDD says it has processed 11.9 million combined claims for the regular unemployment insurance program, as well as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Many states operate unemployment systems that are sorely out of date or didnt have the staff to handle this deluge of applications. The states are catching up, but if there is anything wrong with your application, you could get lost in the mix, says Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at the progressive, independent think tank The Century Foundation.;
If your application gets flagged and your states unemployment agency lacks the resources to resolve your issue, you could get stuck, says Stettner, who has over 20 years of experience as an unemployment insurance policy advocate.
This is what happened to Mikaelah Pagan, who found her way to the same Facebook group as Harris. She says she filed for unemployment with the EDD the day she lost her food service job and waited four months to receive benefits.;
New York State Department Of Labor Addresses Phone Line Complaints
BUFFALO, N.Y. Since our story aired Wednesday night about people being asked to give overpayments back to the New York State Department of Labor, we’ve gotten more questions from people who say they haven’t received their benefits on time and can’t get in touch with anyone at the NYSDOL.
2 On Your Side has heard from a lot of people who say they haven’t gotten their extra $300 they’re supposed to be getting every week in federal benefits. They are also having problems being able to talk to somebody about it.
A viewer who asked that we not use their name emailed saying, “I have called over 300 times in the past two days, and it is impossible to get a rep on the phone. This doesn’t include the hundreds of other calls I have made since my new claim was filed six weeks ago. Processing time says two to three weeks. I know many are in the same boat. How are families supposed to survive?”
So on Thursday, 2 On Your Side asked the NYSDOL what people should do if they can’t get through by , and what they should do if they haven’t gotten the extra $300.
But that doesn’t say what to do if you can’t get through by calling the main number.
We were also told the call center has extended hours during the week, and that it’s important for you to carefully listen to the prompts and choose the correct option to be connected with the correct agent.
And, as we reported last month, they still say they haven’t seen any current issues with the extra $300 going out.
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What To Do If You Believe You Have Experienced Discrimination:
If you think that you have been subjected to discrimination under a WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity, you may file a complaint within 180 days of the event with either the recipients Equal Opportunity Officer ; or the Director, Civil Rights Center , U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-4123, Washington, DC 20210.
- If you file your complaint with the recipient, you must wait until either the recipient issues a writtenNotice of Final Action, or 90 days have passed or whichever is sooner, before filing with the CRC .
- If the recipient does not give you a written Notice of Final Action within 90 days of the day on which you filed your complaint, you do not have to wait for the recipient to issue that Notice before filing a complaint with the CRC. However, you must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the 90-day deadline .
- If the recipient does give you written Notice of Final Action on your complaint, but you are dissatisfied with the decision or resolution, you may file a complaint with the CRC. You must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the date on which you received the Notice of Final Action.
Equal Opportunity Is The Law
It is against the law for this recipient of federal financial assistance to discriminate on the following basis:
- Against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex , national origin , age, disability, or political affiliation or belief; and
- Against any beneficiary of, applicant to, or participant in programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act , on the basis of the beneficiarys citizenship or participation in any WIOA Title Iâfinancially assisted program or activity.
The recipient must not discriminate in any of the following areas:
- Providing opportunities in, or treating any person with regard to, such a program or activity; or
- Making employment decisions in the administration of, or in connection with, such a program or activity.
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Contact Your State Representative Or Senator
As a last ditch effort, Harris reached out to her state senators office, and says she was told they would send an inquiry on her behalf. About two weeks later, in late September, Harris received back pay totaling $10,000. Harris believes she is still owed additional benefits, and is unclear on how to ensure continued benefits.
Pagan has reason to agree that, for anyone who is having trouble getting their unemployment benefits, contacting a state senator or other state elected official is probably the best bet. She credits this approach with helping get her issue resolved.;
Unemployment benefits are handled by the state, so contacting your state-level elected officials can help get the ball rolling. They can sometimes get an answer faster than the unemployment office itself, Stettner says. They are doing case work on behalf of their constituents, but theyre also overwhelmed, he says. He even recommends reaching out to your state governors office.;
Re: How To File Complaint Against Unemployment
thanks i will research this.we have had not received any money for seven months now parents are helping but its been real tough.something should have been done sooner.but didnt know who to ask about this.never went through this before.are there any agencies that help expenses.parents are also running out of money to help with.cant find work,so i need to find help elsewhere.unfortuntly we did not know we could appeal either.
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Complaints Over New State Unemployment System Still Pouring In
Some have said they have been unable to file claims since the new system went into effect in December.
Months after the state unveiled a new system that Mainers must use to file claims for unemployment benefits, frustrated state legislators still are reporting problems their constituents are having with it.
Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, said complaints about the new system are continuing to come into him every week, and that the House Democratic Office also has continued to receive complaints. At the end of January, Fecteau said, House Democrats had received more than 30 complaints about the new system; and others, such as Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, are receiving similar complaints.
How To Get Cobra
Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see COBRA Premium Subsidy. The;page links to information about COBRA including:
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How To File A Discrimination Complaint
Where to file. Every State and every Local Workforce Investment Area must have a process in place for handling complaints that allege one or more of the bases of discrimination listed above. In most cases, the complainant may choose to file either with CRC or at the State or local level. In cases in which a complaint is filed at the State or local level that should have been filed with CRC, the State or local level should refer the complaint to CRC.
Special filing requirements apply to the Job Corps program. For more information, contact CRC.
Requirements for all complaints. Regardless of where they are filed, all complaints must be filed in writing, and must include the following information:
Column: Complaints Over Unemployment Claims Process
- Kathleeen Vinehout
I called the hotline several hundred times. Each time I called I got a message about being busy at this time, a Pierce County man Ill call Ken told me.
Ken lost his job as a mechanic and needed to file an unemployment insurance compensation claim. After more than two weeks of trying to get through the states Department of Workforce Development application process, Ken heard of someone who received help from my office. He called.
Hundreds of complaints from people attempting to apply for unemployment compensation poured into legislative offices this winter. The complaints were consistent: The website dropped me, I got no answer from phone calls, no one ever called me back, I was on hold for hours.
The complaints led senators to write to the governor seeking answers. The complaints also led to a review by the Legislative Audit Bureau.
Recently the Legislatures Joint Committee on Audit approved an evaluation of the unemployment insurance claims process. During a public hearing we learned some reasons behind the dramatically inferior customer service.
When Ken first filed his unemployment claim, like half of all who file a claim, he went to the Department of Workforce Developments website. But part way through filling out the web-based forms, the system wouldnt allow him to complete his application. The website indicated he must call the state office.
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Types Of Disability Policies
There are two types of disability policies.
-
Short-term policies may pay for up to two years. Most last for a few months to a year.
-
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:
-
How is disability defined?
-
How long do benefits last?
-
How much money will the policy pay?
How To File Complaint Against Unemployment
was not informed by unemployment that there should have been a review of benefits for new calender year.because i was not told of this even when i talked to them over the phone.now they witheld all money,and i have nothing to live on.since they are collecting because of there own mistake in which they admitted to.who would i go to to file a complaint against them?????
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What Can You Do To Ensure Youre Getting What Youre Owed
The huge influx of recent unemployment claims were partly caused by the number of people who qualify under this years unique circumstances but who wouldnt under normal circumstances.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act extends unemployment benefits to many who didnt previously qualify. Independent contractors, freelancers, gig workers, and the self-employed may be eligible for payments through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, established by the CARES Act. Since these types of workers dont pay state unemployment insurance taxes and they dont have employers who pay into the unemployment system, they arent normally eligible for unemployment benefits.
But how you apply for PUA benefits isnt the same across the board. Different states have different procedures and rules on who qualifies for benefits, says Daniel Kalish, managing partner at the national employment law firm HKM Employment Attorneys. The stimulus package included language saying states should be more lenient with who gets extra benefits, but didnt spell out exactly how, says Kalish.;
Because there is so much confusion right now surrounding qualification, Kalish has this straightforward advice: If you have had any reduction of your take-home compensation at all, you should apply for unemployment benefits, even if youre unsure whether you qualify. As long as you are honest in your application, there is no negative repercussion for applying. All they can say is no, he says.
Work Based Exposures And Illness May Be Eligible For Workers Compensation
Under certain circumstances, claims from health care workers and first responders for exposure to coronavirus will be allowed. Other claims that meet certain criteria for exposure will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For a claim to be accepted, there must be a documented or probable work-related exposure, and an employee/employer relationship.;
L&I has;answers to commonly asked questions;online.
Follow;lni.wa.gov,;esd.wa.gov, and;coronavirus.wa.gov/news;for the most up-to-date information.;
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More Unemployment Complaints Fill On Your Side Inbox; La Reports Thousands More Seeking Aid
BATON ROUGE – It has been a week since the Louisiana Workforce Commission held a Zoom news conference about hiring more people to answer calls and approve claimants. This week, 2 On Your Side has been inundated with emails and calls from people who all have similar stories.
Thursday, more than 100 emails came to 2 On Your Side. Friday, there were 100 more from all over Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Each email is forwarded to LWC with the hope that they will be recognized and addressed.;
Veronica Tovar applied for unemployment in October after being laid off from a refinery in Louisiana. She says after receiving four unemployment insurance payments her claim was flagged for fraud and the money stopped. She submitted the necessary paperwork to prove her identity but has not heard back since.;
“It’s been like that for seven weeks. It says it’s in processing,” Tovar said. “I’m only depending on unemployment right now. It’s been seven weeks and nothing.”
Like Tovar, Kiara Marrow spends a lot of time on the phone trying to reach someone at the LWC.
“I have called daily for the last month,” she said.
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“Sometimes I wait three hours, and someone gets on the phone and hangs up,” Marrow said.
That’s a complaint 2 On Your Side has heard dozens of times.
“Nobody answers the phone and then when they do they hang it up immediately,” Robert Sproles said.
Gerry Williams lives in Leesville and says the last time he received unemployment was in May.
