Total Unemployment
We do not pay benefits for any day in which:
▪
They performed some work, full-time, part-time, self-employed or freelance basis
▪
They are corporate officers who devote any time or effort to the corporation’s business, even
though wages or salaries may not be paid at that time
▪
They are receiving vacation or holiday pay for a previously designated period
Educational Institutions
▪
They are employees of educational institutions, such as teachers, bus drivers or staff performing
research
These individuals may not file for benefits using wages based on such employment between academic
years or terms and during customary vacation or holiday recesses, provided they have a contract or
reasonable assurance of employment in the following academic period.
How Much Can a Jobless Worker Receive?
The weekly benefit rate equals 1/26 of a claimant’s highest quarter earnings in all covered employment
during the base period used to establish the claim, unless the claimant’s highest quarter earnings are
$3,575 or less. Then, the weekly benefit rate will be 1/25 of these earnings, with a minimum benefit rate
of $132 for claims effective after January 1, 2024. This is an increase from the minimum benefit rate of
$124 for claims effective in 2023.
The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar
quarters prior to when a claim is filed.
The maximum weekly benefit rate is $504.
Beginning January 1, 2014, if the claimant has earnings in all 4 base period quarters (or alternate base
period
quarters), the benefit rate will continue to be calculated in the same way. However, if the claimant
has
earnings in only 2 or 3 base periods (or alternative base period quarters), the benefit rate will be
calculated
as follows:
•
If high quarter is > $4,000 benefit rate is 1/26 of the average of the two highest quarters
•
If high quarter is > $3,575 and <= $4,000, benefit rate is 1/26 of the high quarter (with a
minimum weekly benefit rate of $143)
•
If high quarter is <= $3,575, benefit rate is 1/25 of the high quarter
The first week of unemployment after they file a claim is a waiting week for which no benefits are paid.
In any week when a claimant works no more than 3 days and earns no more than the maximum benefit
rate, they can receive partial benefits. The state’s regular UI program pays benefits for:
▪
Up to 26 weeks of total unemployment at the full weekly rate, or
▪
The equivalent dollar amount over a greater number of weeks if the claimant is partially employed
The claimant may collect on a given claim during the benefit year – the 52-week period following the
week in which they filed the claim.
Someone who qualifies for benefits under the quarterly wage criteria may apply to have the weekly benefit
amount recomputed. The recomputed amount is based on ½ of his or her average weekly wage
for all employment during the base period that established the claimant’s eligibility. The maximum amount
used to set high quarter earnings for entitlement is $11,088 (22 x $504). The claimant must prove these
earnings. They must apply within 10 days of notification.
During periods of high unemployment, Extended Benefits or Emergency Benefits may be payable.