Have you recently been laid off from your job in Alabama? If this is the case, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits, which are payments made to employees who are temporarily out of work due to circumstances beyond their control.
However, while the fundamental rules of unemployment are the same across the board, the eligibility requirements, prior earnings requirements, benefit amounts, and other specifics differ from one state to the next.
In this article, you’ll learn more about the requirements and how to file for unemployment in Alabama.
Table of contents
What is the Alabama Unemployment Insurance Program (AUIP)?
Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers who are unable to find work due to no fault of their own and who meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the state of Alabama.
Who Is Eligible For Alabama Unemployment Insurance?
This benefit program is only available to residents of Alabama who meet all of the eligibility requirements, which are as follows:
Employed in Alabama during the previous 12 months (this period may be longer in some cases), earning a minimum amount of wages determined by Alabama guidelines, and actively seeking work each week that you are collecting benefits are all requirements for unemployment benefits.
Each state establishes its own guidelines for eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits, but in general, you are eligible if you meet the following criteria:
You are out of work as a result of no fault of your own. In most states, this means that you must have left your previous job because there was a scarcity of available work at the time.
Comply with all work and wage requirements. To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must meet the requirements of your state for wages earned or time worked during a predetermined period of time known as a “base period.”
For most states, this is typically the first four completed calendar quarters out of the previous five completed calendar quarters before the time that your claim is filed.)
Comply with any additional state regulations. Find out more about the program in your own state.
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How Do I Submit My Unemployment Insurance Benefits Application?
Unemployment insurance benefits can be obtained by filing a claim with the state unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked at the time of your unemployment. According to the state, you can file a claim in person, over the phone, or through the internet.
As soon as you are able after becoming unemployed, you should contact your state’s unemployment insurance program for assistance.
In most cases, you should file your claim with the state in which you were employed. If you worked in a state other than the one where you currently reside, or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency in the state where you currently reside can provide you with information on how to file a claim with the unemployment insurance agencies in the other states.
When you file a claim, you will be required to provide certain information, such as your previous addresses and employment dates, among other things. Make certain to provide complete and accurate information in order to avoid a delay in processing your claim.
It takes two to three weeks on average after filing a claim before you begin receiving payments from the Social Security Administration.
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The Requirements For Eligibility for Alabama Unemployment Compensation
In Alabama, the Department of Labor (DOL) is in charge of unemployment benefits, and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis by the agency. In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Alabama, applicants must meet each of the three eligibility requirements listed below:
- You must have earned at least a bare minimum in wages prior to becoming unemployed in order to qualify.
- According to Alabama law, you must be unemployed as a result of circumstances beyond your control.
- The ability and availability to work, as well as a desire to find work, are required qualifications.
- You must have earned wages in at least two-thirds of the time period covered by your base period. According to the definition, a base period is the first four quarters of the previous five quarters, beginning with the quarter in which your claim was filed.
- To put it another way, if you file in March 2020, your base period would be the twelve months spanning October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019.
- Your total wages earned during your base period must be greater than 1.5 times the amount of earnings earned in your highest quarter earned during your base period in order to be eligible for benefits.
- You must be able to work and be willing to accept suitable employment when offered it.
- You must be actively seeking employment on a full-time basis.
Alabama has different rules for workers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than the rest of the country.
Generally, you must be able to work in order to qualify. In the event that you are placed in mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19 infection or suspicion of infection and are unable to work, you will be eligible for benefits.
What Is The Procedure For Filing For Alabama Unemployment Benefits?
You can file a claim for unemployment benefits through the Alabama Department of Labor’s website if you live in the state.
Additionally, you have the option of filing your claim by calling the Initial Claims Line at (866) 234-5382 to initiate the process.
If you choose this option, you will be connected to an electronic Interactive Voice Response system, where you will answer a few questions before being routed to a customer service representative who will assist you with the application process.
In order to file your claim for benefits, you’ll need the following documents:
- Identifying information such as your Social Security number
- Your most recent employer’s name and address should be included.
- Please provide the dates of your most recent work experience.
- Please provide your driver’s license number or another state-issued identification number.
- If you’re separating from the military, you’ll need your DD214 member copy.
- It’s important to know your mother’s maiden name.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will need your work authorization number.
A weekly claim certification will also be required after your benefit year has been established, which will begin as soon as you submit your application — do not wait until it has been approved before submitting your claim certification.
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How Much Will I receive As Unemployment Benefits In Alabama?
In Alabama, your benefits are determined by your earnings during the base period. The bare minimum benefit is $45 per week, with a weekly maximum benefit of $275.
Your base period wages and the number of benefits you are entitled to will be listed on a monetary determination form that you will receive once your claim has been submitted.
Unemployment benefits would be increased by $600 per week under a federal stimulus package that is expected to be approved by Congress by the end of March. The stimulus bill would increase the number of benefits you receive until the end of June, but only in the short term.
Its purpose is to assist workers in coping with the massive increase in unemployment that has occurred as a result of the social distancing measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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For How Long Am I Eligible To Receive Unemployment Benefits?
Unemployment benefits are available in Alabama for a period ranging from 14 to 20 weeks. The specific number of weeks for which you are eligible for unemployment benefits is determined by the unemployment rate.
Because the coronavirus pandemic is expected to result in widespread layoffs, it is likely that a high unemployment rate will result, allowing workers to become eligible for unemployment benefits for the maximum 20-week period allowed under federal law.
Some jobs are still available, even in this difficult economic climate, and benefits will end if you return to work after being unemployed.
The federal CARES Act would also provide all eligible workers with an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits, allowing you to collect unemployment benefits for 33 weeks under certain circumstances.
What Happens If My Unemployment Benefits Are Denied?
If your claim for unemployment benefits is denied, you must file a written appeal with the appropriate authorities.
In order to file an appeal, it must be received within 15 calendar days of the date on which the original decision was mailed. Please fax your submission to (334) 242-2084 or mail it to Hearings and Appeals, Alabama Department of Justice, 649 Monroe St., Montgomery Alabama 36131.
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Before we wrap it up, let’s look at scenarios where you can get unemployment benefits.
Circumstances that can keep you Unemployed
In Alabama, as in other states, you must be out of work as a result of circumstances beyond your control in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
You can get Unemployment Compensation Following a Layoff
If you were laid off, lost your job as a result of a reduction-in-force (RIF), or were “downsized” as a result of economic circumstances, you will be eligible to apply.
Obtaining Unemployment Benefits after Being Fired
Even if you were fired because you lacked the necessary skills to perform the job or simply weren’t a good fit for the company, you will not be automatically barred from receiving unemployment benefits.
The only exception is if you were fired due to misconduct at your place of employment, in which case you will not be eligible for benefits.
Absences or tardiness, failing to adhere to company policies and procedures, endangering the safety of coworkers, and disregarding instructions or orders are all examples of workplace misconduct.
Whether you are eligible for benefits after being fired will be determined based on the seriousness of your misconduct, whether you were warned of potential problems, and any steps you took to correct your behavior.
After quitting your job, you can collect unemployment benefits.
If you quit your job, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits unless you had a legitimate reason to do so that was related to your job.
In general, having good cause means that your reason for leaving the position was work-related and so compelling that you had no choice but to leave the position.
Examples include situations where you were fired due to unsafe working conditions or sexual harassment that your employer refused to stop, in which case you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.
FAQs On How To File For Unemployment In Alabama
You must be unemployed as a result of no fault of your own, and you must have earned sufficient wages during the period covered by this claim (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before the start date of your claim).
You can submit an application online or by phone at 1-866-234-5382.
The amount of your weekly benefit will be determined by the wages you earned during your base period. Weekly benefits range from a bare minimum of $45 to a maximum of $275 in value.
Generally, you will qualify for a set number of full benefit weeks ranging from 14-20 weeks. The maximum amount allowable for the benefit year is based on the unemployment rate. If you return to work or if you have deductible income for any week, you may draw reduced payments and increase the total possible length of time that you can draw. The total amount that you can draw for the year is the maximum benefit amount shown on your monetary determination.
Conclusion
The unemployment insurance program in Alabama can assist you in navigating the temporary financial hardship that results from a job loss. Before submitting your claim for unemployment benefits in Alabama, make sure to carefully review all of the eligibility requirements.
References
- bwlawonline.com – FILING AN UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM – ALABAMA
- fool.com – How to Apply for Unemployment in Alabama
- nolo.com – Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Alabama
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