In Louisiana, unemployment benefits are paid only to employees being laid off or having their working hours shortened for reasons that are not their fault. Employers pay the unemployment benefit for employees in Louisiana through a payroll tax as unemployment insurance. This tax has zero employee contribution, and it is only temporary.
During and after the Coronavirus global pandemic, which was a major threat to the economy of America and other countries worldwide, many well-meaning and hard-working citizens lost their jobs and became unemployed. An unemployment benefit will help prevent income drought in a time like this.
But to be eligible for unemployment benefits, your unemployment must not come from your own doing. You must have the ability to work and also be willing to work. As an employee in Louisiana, you are entitled to weekly payments of a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $275 unemployment benefit weekly while still seeking a job. Being a person who is constantly looking for work qualifies you for such benefits.
Read through, as this article properly explains how to apply for unemployment in Louisiana and answers some necessary questions concerning acquiring unemployment benefits in Louisiana.
Table of contents
- How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Insurance Benefit?
- How do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits?
- How Should I Apply If I Worked In Another State Or More Than One State?
- What is the Amount Of Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Louisana?
- How Long Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits?
- What Are Extended Benefits?
- What If My Unemployment Claim Is Denied?
- Does The Louisiana Workforce Commission Provide Information Concerning Welfare Benefits Or Child Support Garnishments?
- How Can I Get Records For Proof Of The Amounts Of Unemployment Benefits That I Received Or Am Entitled To Receive?
- Conclusion
What Qualifies Me For Unemployment In Louisiana?
You must be unemployed or partially unemployed by no cause that can be attributed to your fault. This gives you the guarantee of receiving benefits. You must be in the right physical condition, able to work, and readily willing to take up any available job.
You must also be constantly looking for work. And If you are temporarily laid off or have your work hours shortened and have an assured return-to-work date, your work search requirements are likely rejected.
How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Insurance Benefit?
Just about anyone qualifies for unemployment insurance benefits. As long as you’re an employee in Louisiana, have your job taken away from you, or have your work hour decreased due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, you most certainly qualify for the unemployment benefit.
Another scenario is when your workplace has been closed amid this COVID-19 pandemic, and you still need to give a set date for work resumption.
With what has been said, it is quite clear that almost everyone is free to apply for unemployment benefits. But let’s take a look at what qualifies you to get the benefit itself:
- First, the reason for your unemployment should not be your fault.
- During the base period, your wage must add up to at least 1.5 times earned wages in the quarter of your base period when earnings were highest.
- You must be in the right physical condition and be able to take on available jobs.
- You must have earned at least $1,200 during your base period.
- Except you were given a definite date when you’ll return to work, and you must be continuously looking for a job.
In case you are wondering what your base period is, it’s the first four of the past five full quarters before you send an application for the benefit.
Note: There are three main areas of qualifying requirements recognized by the law:
- The first reason for your job separation.
- The second is the level of your past wages.
- And lastly, ongoing availability and work search requirements.
If all three of the listed above requirements are not met, it wouldn’t be possible to receive the benefit.
See also: How To Apply For Unemployment In Michigan
How do I Apply For Unemployment Benefits?
As an employee applying for unemployment insurance, there are two available mediums to apply for unemployment benefits: online or you can contact the UI Call Center @ 1-866-783-5567.
The following documents are required before you apply;
For Individuals
- Your social security number is needed.
- The full names, addresses, job-site locations, and phone numbers of any employers you worked with during the last 18 months.
- Name and the local number of the union hall (if applicable).
Non-Citizens
The alien registration number and expiration date on your employment authorization paperwork(if applicable).
Former Federal Workers
Former federal employees submit SF-8 and SF-50 (if they worked for a federal employer in the past 18 months). You can go ahead to fill it out even if your federal documents are available.
Former Military Personnel
Provide a copy of your DD214 for Member-4 if you served in the military in the past 18 months. And in a situation where your DD214 is not available, kindly proceed with your claim, and provide it at another time.
How Should I Apply If I Worked In Another State Or More Than One State?
You can apply for an unemployment insurance claim in the Job Center that is nearest your current place of residence, regardless of what state you’ve worked in or what state you live in at the moment.
The Personnel office will guide you in choosing which state is the most preferred for you to apply. You will find a Job Center or State Employment Office in almost every large town in the USA.
See also: How To File For Unemployment In Florida
What is the Amount Of Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Louisana?
In Louisiana, the minimum weekly benefit of unemployment insurance is $10.00, and the maximum is currently $275. Your weekly benefit amount can be within that pay range, depending upon the total wages paid to you during your base period.
After the necessary calculation has been carried out, the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits you’d receive is equal to 26 times your weekly benefit amount.
How Long Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits?
Louisiana may not be listed most as the state with the highest payment of unemployment insurance benefits, but it sure does have a lengthy time frame to it. You are entitled to claim benefits for up to 26 weeks, beginning with the week you submitted your application.
And at a time when the unemployment rates are high, you can also receive more benefits under the Extended Benefits Program.
There is an extended period of 13 weeks by the CARES Act, which allows you to collect unemployment benefits for a total of 39 weeks.
What Are Extended Benefits?
The extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 provides additional unemployment insurance benefits to unemployees during a period of high unemployment.
Potentially qualified claimants will be informed when and if this occurs by the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the neighborhood news media.
What If My Unemployment Claim Is Denied?
You can file an appeal online, by email, or by mail to LWC Appeals Unit PO Box 94094, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094. Finally, you can fax the appeal to 225-346-6077.
In your best interest, you should know you have a 15-day window to lay any complaint as regards your unemployment benefit after the date the decision is sent to you.
Does The Louisiana Workforce Commission Provide Information Concerning Welfare Benefits Or Child Support Garnishments?
The Louisiana Department of Social Services and Office of Family Support are in charge of Welfare benefits, food stamps, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Please, consult your telephone directory for further assistance.
The Support Enforcement Office, a part of the Office of Family Support, should be contacted with any questions regarding child support deductions made from unemployment insurance benefit checks.
See also: How To File For Illinois Unemployment
How Can I Get Records For Proof Of The Amounts Of Unemployment Benefits That I Received Or Am Entitled To Receive?
You should send a written request concerning this information to the Unemployment Insurance Custodian of Records. Please, make sure to include your social security number, your name, and, most especially, your return address.
This request should be mailed to:
Louisiana Workforce Commission
UI Custodian of Records
Room 390
P. O. Box 44094
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9094
FAQS on How To Apply For Unemployment In Louisiana 2023 | Full Guide
You should file your weekly claims by phoning the Interactive Voice Response System, Easy Call. For Easy Call information and phone numbers at 1-866-783-5567
You cannot quit your job and automatically become eligible for unemployment benefits unless there is a good reason to back such action; because of a corporal change to your employment by your employer.
An excusable condition means that your reason for leaving the position was job-related and so demanding that you had no choice but to leave.
The first seven days that follow the said date of your new claim are re-referred to as your week of waiting. And payment would only be given to you during your week of waiting.
Even though you may have earned enough wages in covered employment, there is a probability of disqualification for unemployment benefits for explainable reasons.
In Louisiana, the minimum weekly benefit of unemployment insurance is $10.00, and the maximum is currently $275. Your weekly benefit amount can be within that pay range, depending upon the total wages paid to you during your base period.
Conclusion
This article fully explains how to apply for unemployment in Louisiana. Through unemployment benefits, people can get up to a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $275 a week. Read more above for how to go about the claim and its application.
References
Recommendation
