State Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Purpose

As determined under State Law, the Federal State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. There are also other eligibility requirements of State law.

For those unemployed workers who have meet the requirements of State Law are provided temporary financial assistance intended from unemployment insurance payments/benefits.
Each State governs a separate unemployment insurance program within the strategy established by Federal Law.
In many States, benefit funding is based solely on tax imposed on employers.

Eligibility

You must meet the State requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as "base period". In most States, this is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed. You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of yours as determined under State Law. And also meet other eligibility requirements of State Law.

Filing a Claim

Contact the State Unemployment Insurance agency as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. You can also file a claim by telephone or over the internet but it is available only in some States.
Usually you receive your first benefit check 2 or 3 weeks after you file your claim, but some States requires a week waiting period; therefore, the second week claimed is the first week of payment, if your are otherwise eligible.
Be sure to give complete and correct information so that your claim is not delayed. You will be asked certain question while filing your claim such as addresses and dates about your former employment.

Continued Eligibility

You will be required to file weekly or biweekly claims and respond to the questions concerning your continued eligibility, after the week(s) has ended. You also need to report any earning from work you had earned during the week(s) and any job offers or refusal of work. Such claims are filed via mail or telephone, the State will provide you with the necessary filing instruction.
You must report to your Local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or One-Stop/Employment Service Office on the day and at the time you are scheduled. Failing to report any interview as scheduled, you might face denial of your benefits.
You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements stated in the previous section.

Registering For Work

To get assistance in finding employment, you may be directed to register for work with the State Employment Service. Even if you are not required to register, you may still seek help from the Employment Service for finding job.
The One-Stop/Employment Service Office has current labor market information and provides a wide range of re-employment services free of charge.
If you are willing to relocate, Employment Service staff can refer you to job opening in your area or in other parts of the State or country.
They can also refer you to various training programs.
They can offer testing and counseling to determine other jobs you might like to do and are able to do if in case job openings in your field are limited.
You might have some special needs or considerations, such as physical needs or other consideration, which may prevent you from getting a job. In such case they can refer you to other agencies for help with such needs.

Disqualification from Eligibility

If the reason for your separation from the last job is due to some reason other than a lack of work, a determination will be made about whether you are eligible for benefits.
All determination of whether or not a person is eligible for benefits are made by appropriate State under its law or federal laws applicable to the State.
If you don't get the benefits, you have the rights to file an appeal. The State will advise you of your appeal rights. You must file your appeal within an established time frame. Your employer also has the right to appeal if he/she does not agree with the State's determination regarding your eligibility.

Benefits

Generally, benefits are based on a percentage of an individual's earnings over a recent 52-week period-up to a State maximum amount.
In many States, benefits can be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks.
Ensure that the reemployment process doesn't prevent you from giving time to the family.
Additional weeks of benefits may be available during times of high unemployment. Some States may also provide additional benefits for specific purposes.
You must report your benefits on your Federal income tax return as they are subject to Federal income taxes. You may elect to have the tax withheld by the State Unemployment Insurance agency.