Unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance protects against the total loss of income due to unemployment. Our state and federal governments regulate the unemployment insurance benefits available. Each state administers it’s own program governed by Federal Law. Unemployment insurance is available to all eligible employees, who through no fault of their own, are unemployed. The benefits of the insurance are used to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who qualify. Funds used to pay for these benefits come from payroll taxes.

Eligibility

· You must meet the states requirements for time worked and wages earned during a specified period of time.
· You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

· Most states allow for benefits to be paid for 26 weeks max.
· Benefit amounts are usually a percentage of the workers wages subject to a maximum over a 52- week period.
· Benefits are subject to Federal income tax.

Filing an Unemployment Insurance Claim

· After becoming unemployed, contact your state unemployment office as soon as possible to apply for benefits.
· The unemployment office will ask you questions regarding your former employer and dates employed among other things.

This is a brief overview of an unemployment insurance program. For more complete details on unemployment insurance coverage, contact your state labor department or the US Department of Labor at http://www.doleta.gov.