These unemployment eligibility changes may benefit you
Determining if you are eligible for unemployment can be confusing. While there are federal rules, requirements also vary from state to state. Be sure to visit your state's official unemployment website for any additional information and clarification.
Head over to this page for state-specific information!
You typically qualify for unemployment benefits if:
- You find yourself unemployed due to circumstances that were not your own fault.
- You meet your state’s requirements for a “base period.” This means you have to have earned or worked a certain amount within a state-specified timeframe.
ATTENTION: Due to COVID-19 and passage of The CARES Act, the federal government has changed some guidelines to allow states to pay benefits to people that previously would not have qualified.
Workers are now eligible in the following cases:
- If an employer ceases operations, an employee can apply if they are prevented from working.
- If an individual is quarantined with the intention of returning to work at the end of quarantine.
- If an individual leaves employment to avoid exposure or to care for a family member.
And the following types of workers are now eligible:
- Self-employed workers
- 1099 independent contractors and gig workers
- Workers with a limited work history – meaning, those who may not have fulfilled the “base period” requirements
NOTE: The federal CARES Act also increases the weekly payment for all unemployed workers, and extends the length of time they can receive benefits. You can now get an additional $600 per week for up to six months. And if you are currently receiving benefits from your state, they can be extended for an additional 13 weeks.
What barriers are you facing with unemployment?
Comments
When you leave work to care for a loved one its difficult to begin work again.
I live in SC but near the GA. line. I have worked mostly in GA I have a few questions.
- Should I have applied for benefits in both states?
- When I was let go from job (2020). I did go to GA and applied for benefits was denied, filed an appeal never heard from them again. This was during the Pandemic. Never receive any of those unemployment benefits as well as any monetary unemployment. It has been 3 yrs and still nothing. Do I have any recourse for compensation.
- The IRS notified my bank about my SS identification. I have never change my name on my SS card. Gave the appropriate records to clear this issue up. When working, I worked under my madain name,filed taxes same way. When I then applied for Benefits I did under my married name. SS never mentioned anything about how this could be a problem when applying for benefits . ONLY the IRS and my Bank had an issue with it. So now I sign both names with a hyphen. But this issue happen almost a full year after my appeal ( still no response from GA). Any help?
I am currently out of work because of COVID 19 my employer Scott jillinscog caught cocid 19 then he had 2 stokes and 3 heart attacks All in the summer of 2021..m Idaho unemployment says I was over paid and I n6to repay the full amount well I'm still out of work because myboss Scott was not able to return to work he had to sell his business just to survive and I helped him with my unemployment to get all his tools fixed and ready to go back to w6with I spent 2800 dollar on rebuilding and fixing 2 riding lawn mowers one a bronco and the second was a pony. I also fixed 2 Stihl weed eatersi replaced 1 backpack leafblower. And 28inch a walk behind lawn mower. Did I get anything in return for the help no because my boss Scott jillinscog had medical bills out the yin yang he could not afford to pay his bills and or rent at the same time so me being a good natured guy game Scott some help. And now supposedl y'all are trying to put a lien on me and my earnings to recompense Idaho unemployment because my reasoning for why I'm not working wasn't good enough for y'all when I spoke to the representative over the phone. I don't understand.
I got denied bc I was perusing my own business. I had put my notice in, but they fired me for no cause while I was working out my last days, thus denying me my exit package. Anyway, I think the cares act is no longer being followed. I keep hearing how much workers are needed, but I can’t even get an interview right now.
If you receive shipping and worked, and was laid off can you file for unemployment
Not eligible because I have not worked because of COVID and then the freeze; it has been 1.5 yrs and still. No work. Social security takes several months and SNAP has been sitting on my application for 2 months. All the while, I haven’t had $1.00 of assistance
i got denied twice and my employer was not even at the appeal and i havent worked since november except under the table job and was there for 11 years
My brother has been off work for 3 months, without pay due to the Corona Virus; Is there any help for him? FMLA runs out this week. Can they fire him?
I have a question about the 3rd stimulus check it says they mailed it on the 26th but I still haven't received it,how do I find out where it is or see if I am actually supposed to receive one.. I went on the web site and that's where I found out it was mailed out on the 26th,but it didn't say it sent a check or anything.
I got use to working on a farm, I'm more of the outside person