The stress that comes with unemployment is usually more draining than when you are employed.
Yes, a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance was indeed created by Congress to help assist the self-employed and certain workers who may not be able to work for a variety of coronavirus-related reasons, it hasn’t been easy.
Although the program provides relief to those eligible for it, a lot of questions crop up as well.
Working through the office of unemployment every day to get your unemployment claim can really suck your life out.
When you have to wait for a longer time and with the provided online system which is most times overwhelmed by the volume of applications, many questions can arise.
In this article, we will be discussing how to answer Unemployment Claim questions. To do that, I’ve put down some Unemployment claim questions most people frequently ask and their possible answers.
Taking your time to go through these questions and their answers will help make your unemployment claim process easy as it is right now.
Before I continue, I want to take you through some interesting things you need to know about unemployment claims and insurance. You can also learn how To file for an unemployment claim.
To get started, navigate through the table of contents below to get a quick overview:
Table of contents
What is Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance provides compensation to workers who lose their job. This typically refers to being laid off due to a lack of work, not quitting.
Each state has its own set of guidelines for determining eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.
For instance, the process of filing for unemployment benefits in Minnesota is different from the Unemployment claim process in Ohio, Oregon, and other states.
These typically include a minimum earnings requirement and a minimum amount of time worked requirement.
Workers who were employed for the first four of the last five calendar quarters satisfy the standards for time worked in the majority of states.
Read Also: How To File For Unemployment In Ohio
Who is Eligible for Unemployment Claim?
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides benefits to workers who would not be eligible for unemployment insurance under normal circumstances.
Pandemic unemployment benefits are provided for employees, freelancers, gig workers, independent contractors, those who can’t work due to coronavirus, and people with limited work experience.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
When you apply for unemployment, you’ll need to provide information that identifies you and your last employer.
Depending on the duration of your previous employment, you may also be required to submit information about your previous employment.
State requirements vary, but typically, unemployment programs will ask for information like:
- Your Social Security number
- Driver’s license or state ID card number
- Your complete mailing address, including street, city, state, and ZIP code
- A telephone number that can be reached during regular business hours
- The complete names and addresses of all employers for whom you worked in the preceding two years
- If you worked for the federal government, you should have copies of forms SF8 and SF50.
- If you are a current or former service member claiming military benefits, you must submit a copy of your most recent form DD 214.
How Much Money Am I Going to Get?
Similarly, to how each state establishes its eligibility criteria, each state establishes its maximum monetary benefit. In many states, benefits are equal to up to half of your weekly earnings, subject to a cap.
These benefits are typically available for up to 26 weeks. Unemployed workers may be eligible for additional weeks of compensation during periods of high unemployment.
Benefits calculators are available on the websites of some state unemployment offices.
Bear in mind that unemployment benefits are typically treated as taxable income and must be reported on state and federal tax returns.
Read Also: How To File For An Unemployment Claim
Is it permissible for me to work part-time and receive unemployment benefits?
If you recently lost your full-time job and were unable to find part-time work, or if you previously held a part-time job but lost it due to no fault of your own, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Additionally, workers who reduced their schedules due to the public health crisis may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Contact your state unemployment office for additional information.
How to Answer Unemployment Claim Questions
Here are some of the Unemployment claim questions and answers:
Questions and Answer on how to file Unemployment Claim File
Q) When should I file for benefits?
A) Submit your initial claim during the week when you are unemployed or working fewer hours. Do not wait to file your claim until you have returned to work.
Your unemployment insurance claim DOES NOT commence on the date you lost your job or had your hours reduced. Your claim becomes effective on the Sunday following the week you submit it.
Q) How do I apply for benefits?
A)You must first create a username and password on the Unemployment Benefits Online Application System(external link) before proceeding with the application.
Due to the volume of information necessary, complete the application on a computer rather than a phone.
Refer to the section on Steps and Responsibilities in the online guide. If you require assistance or your claim involves military, federal, or out-of-state pay, contact U.I. Customer Service Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Read Also: How To File For Unemployment In Oklahoma And Receive Benefits
Q) What information do I need to apply?
A) You will need the following information:
- Social Security Number
- Complete home mailing address
- ZIP code
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Check stubs or W-2 forms
- Employers’ complete mailing addresses, including ZIP code and the city in which the business is located
- Start and end dates with each employer, including month, day, and year
- Reason for leaving each employer (lack of work, voluntary quit, discharge, leave of absence, still employed)
You will need your DD-214 Member Copy 4 Form if you served in the military within the last 18 months. If you served as a civilian employee for the federal government during the last 18 months, you will need Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50.
Additionally, total your salaries earned with your federal job during the last 18 months and indicate the method of payment (hourly, weekly, monthly).
Q) What happens once I file for unemployment benefits?
A) It takes many weeks for your application to be processed and for you to collect unemployment benefits.
Submit a weekly claim online(link is external) each week while your claim is being processed, or an appeal is underway.
Make sure that you submit your weekly claims on time. Make the job search contacts each week and keep track of your job hunt. You must keep track of your weekly job searches using this work search log (external link).
Q) Why am I required to submit a weekly claim certification?
If your application for U.I. benefits has been granted, you attest that you remain unemployed and otherwise eligible to receive benefit payments. You will not be suitable for unemployment benefits if you do not submit a weekly claim certification.
Q) How do I make a benefit payment request?
To be eligible for benefits, you must submit a weekly claim certification. You can submit your weekly claim certification online or by calling 410-949-0022 or 800-827-4839. Weekly claim certification questions are identical regardless of the method of filing.
When filing your weekly claim certification by phone, you will select your preferred language and then press 1 to begin. You must enter your Social Security number and PIN to access the questions.
To submit your weekly claim certification in BEACON 2.0, navigate the BEACON login page and input your BEACON 2.0 claimant portal username and password.
If you previously filed an initial claim in BEACON and submit your first weekly claim certification, log in using the username and password you used to file your first claim.
To submit your weekly claim certification, navigate to the menu on the left side of your portal screen and select “Weekly Certification.”
Are child care workers going to be reimbursed if those facilities close?
Individuals who are laid off due to the closure of a COVID-19-related firm may be entitled to benefits. Certain child care services may be linked with churches or other exempt groups from paying unemployment insurance fees under state law.
Sometimes, the individual may not be engaged in “covered employment” and hence cannot make a successful claim.
I am a manager at a hair shop and have fortunately signed up for unemployment benefits; however several of my girls do not satisfy the $269 weekly wage requirement. What other choices do they have?
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, establishes a new program that benefits individuals historically denied unemployment benefits.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program provides payments to persons rendered temporarily or permanently jobless due to COVID-19.
Benefits will be comparable to those available under standard unemployment insurance, plus an additional $600. This new program is currently being developed. Once the program is operational, eligible persons will receive retroactive payments to Jan. 27 for up to 39 weeks.
Q) Can you apply if you work in a restaurant or work fewer hours?
Individuals who are partially unemployed due to a labor shortage may be eligible for benefits. Earnings from weekday employment may minimize the number of benefits paid.
Payments equal to or less than 20% of the claimant’s weekly benefit amount do not count against the claimant’s eligibility for benefits.
Earnings over 20% of the weekly benefit amount will result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the help payout. Payments equal to or greater than the benefit amount for that week will cause no benefits.
My business currently has many part-time, temporary employees working for zero hours. Are they entitled to unemployment benefits?
It is conceivable if they worked at least 20 weeks and earned an average weekly pay of $269 throughout the claim’s base period.
Are you eligible for unemployment if you have two jobs and lose one?
Answer: Unemployment compensation should replace a portion of lost earnings rather than completely compensate for lost wages.
Although an individual may be considered partially jobless because of the loss of a single job, payment eligibility is contingent on earnings for each week of benefits claimed.
If the claimant’s weekly earnings are less than 20% of the weekly benefit amount, the whole weekly benefit amount may be payable.
Earnings over 20% of the weekly benefit amount will cause a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the payment. If weekly earnings are equal or exceed.
Read Also: Minnesota Unemployment And How To File To Collect Your Benefits
Questions & Answers About Unemployment Compensation
Q) How much money will I earn each week?
A) Your benefits are computed by identifying your most significant quarter earnings during the base period and multiplying that figure by the number of dependents claimed. You will receive a letter showing the amount of your weekly benefit.
Q) What is the duration of my benefits?
A) The benefit year begins on the date the claim becomes effective. Benefits continue to be paid until the Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is reached or the benefit year expires.
Q) How will I get compensated?
A) When you submit a new claim application, you will be given the option of receiving benefit payments via direct deposit or debit card. If you currently have a debit card, you will use it until it expires. You may also elect to have your benefit payments deposited straight into your bank or savings account via direct deposit. No benefit will be payable if the weekly benefit amount is less than the weekly benefit amount.
Questions and Answers about Protected Claims and Rights of Appeal
Q) My former employer is contesting my eligibility for unemployment insurance. What am I to do?
A) If an employer contests a claim, IWD interviews you and the employer to discover the facts. You will receive information by U.S. mail regarding the day and time of the interview and the phone number used to contact you by the fact-finder.
You are cordially invited to join. After the fact-finding interview, IWD will determine whether you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits within a few days. You and the employer will receive the decision by U.S. mail.
You or your employer may appeal the decision. The reverse of the decision notification contains information about appeal rights and procedures.
Q) What is the procedure for filing an appeal?
Use this form to submit an appeal online. You can fill out a paper form(the link is external) and mail it. The request must be postmarked or received within ten calendar days of the decision’s date.
It is critical to recognize that appeals are public records. This means that the public, including the media, will have unrestricted access to the headers, decisions, exhibits, transcripts, and recordings.
Q) What should I do during the pendency of my appeal?
A) During the pendency of your appeal, continue filing for weekly benefits, completing any mandatory work search contacts, and documenting these interactions. Failure to make a weekly ongoing claim during the appeal process may prohibit you from receiving benefits for those weeks.
Eligibility
Here are some of the Unemployment claim questions and answers that have to do with eligibility:
Q) How long do I have to work to be eligible for benefits?
A) To be eligible, you must have worked and earned a specified amount of wages in work covered by unemployment insurance in the preceding 15 to 18 months.
Q) What is a factual investigation?
A) A fact-finding investigation determines an individual’s eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.
If there are issues about why you left your employment or whether you are physically capable and available for work, your claim may be submitted to a fact finder.
Other factors may also result in the referral of a claim to a fact finder. You and the employer will be asked several questions during the fact-finding process.
Q) I was terminated from my position. Am I eligible?
A) That depends on the reason for your termination. If you state that you were fired, your claim is automatically disputed.
Q) I recently resigned from my job. Am I eligible?
A) That depends on the reason you left your job. If you declare that you have resigned from your position, claims are automatically disputed.
References
- Forbes.com Answers to most Pressing Unemployment Questions
- Thebalancecareers.com –Unemployment Claims- Questions and Answers
- Dllr.state.md.us -employment
- Iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov – Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked-questions
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