Frequently asked questions about unemployment insurance
Here is a list of frequently asked questions that we hear all the time:
1. Can I apply online?
In most cases, a resounding YES! That is what they prefer you to do. In many states, you can file your initial claim, submit your weekly or biweekly claims, check your payment record, and access all kinds of tools and resources. Obviously, the websites of some states are better than others, but they really try to be useful on their websites.
2. I was fired. Can I still collect unemployment?
It depends. Generally speaking, you should be fired from your job for “no fault of your own,” meaning you were part of a layoff, or the business closed, or your job was terminated. However, in individual circumstances, this can be a gray area. The best way to determine your eligibility is simply to file a claim. If they deny you, they will tell you why and you can dispute it, you feel that it is an unfair determination. In some cases, when a company used petty crimes to justify a layoff, they won’t dispute your claim.
3. My full time hours (40) were reduced to 30 (or 28, or 25). Or I was fired from my second job. Can I still collect unemployment?
You may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Make sure you have your hours and compensation records and contact your individual state unemployment department.
4. I stopped caring for my sick mother (father, son). Can I still collect unemployment benefits?
Unemployment benefits are available to help those who lost their job through employer-based actions, such as layoffs, eliminations, or job closings, not because of their own personal needs, no matter how urgent.
5. What information will I need to file my initial claim?
You will need your social security number, name, address, and dates of all jobs for the last 18 months. In many states, benefits are paid by direct deposit or debit cards, so you may also need your bank routing number and your checking or savings account number if you want direct deposit to be your method of payment. pay.
6. I worked in one state but live in another. Where do I apply?
Start with the state you live in. Ultimately, those unemployment laws (not the compensation amount) will prevail anyway. However, you can submit claims to any of them and see how they are resolved. For example, I worked in one state but I live in another. I applied to both, but my “work” status came in first, so I applied. However, the unemployment laws in my “home” state (where I live) dictated when my Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits ended, although the state in which I was collecting (“working”) had no such limits.
7. What is the difference between Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and extended benefits (EB)?
Once you’ve exhausted your initial 26-week claim, you can move on to Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which consists of up to four tiers, each consisting of a certain number of weeks within specific date guidelines. . This will vary from state to state. Once you have exhausted all the levels allowed in your state, you will move on to Extended Benefits, which are for an additional 20 weeks. Here’s a breakdown:
Regular state benefits: 26 weeks
Emergency unemployment compensation (EUC)
- Level 1: 20 weeks
- Level 2: 14 weeks
- Level 3: 13 weeks (for states where the average unemployment rate is 6% or more)
- Level 4: 6 weeks (for states where the average unemployment rate is 8.5% or more)
Extended benefits (EB)
- 13 weeks for states with an average unemployment rate of 6.5% or more
- 20 weeks for states with an average unemployment rate of 8.0% or more
Note: Benefits are generally paid in this order, but the governor of each state may elect to pay Extended Benefits prior to payment of Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
As of December 2010, these benefits are available until 2011, which means that people who collect regular unemployment, EUC or EB can move to the next available level or finish the level they are at if that is the end. No new benefits were added; just an extension of time available to collect them.
8. How long will it take before I receive my first check?
Please allow at least 2-3 weeks to elapse before receiving your first payment. If you received any kind of compensation, that will delay the start of your payments.
9. I keep calling and I can’t get through. Where do I find out …….. ??
Unemployment offices are very busy and persistence and patience is the key here. If you really need to talk to a humanoid, keep calling on different days and at different times of the day and you will eventually find out when you have the best chance of talking to someone in a reasonable amount of time. In many cases, the answer to your question may be on your state’s website. It’s frustrating at first, but learning how to navigate your particular state’s website and phone system will come in handy over the weeks you will be collecting, as questions or situations will arise where you will need information and / or assistance.
10. Can I work part time and still collect unemployment?
In most cases, yes. A prorated amount of unemployment benefits will be issued for the weeks you worked at a part-time job. This can vary from state to state. Check with your local state unemployment department.