Johnny, Author at State Unemployment

Unemployment Insurance For People Who Quit Voluntarily

Unemployment Insurance is a social welfare program that is jointly run by the State and Federal Govt. These plans are designed to provide temporary financial assistance to anyone who lost their jobs due to no mistake of theirs. While one of the primary eligibility criterion for anyone to qualify for UI is that they should have been laid off for a fault that wasn’t theirs, sometimes people who quit voluntarily too may qualify.

Qualifying for UI if you quit is harder than when you were laid off. Which is why this article is going to outline how and when someone can claim UI when they resigned on their own accord.

Quitting Due To Hostile Environment

If you quit your job because the atmosphere at work was hostile or if you felt threatened, the authorities often show leniency while considering your application for the dole. This still doesn’t guarantee your eligibility as the officials will conduct a probe before they decide whether you are giving a true account of the situation.

In most cases, your eligibility often depends on the extent of hostility you faced at work. Some of the accepted reasons are –

Your office was involved in some form of criminal/illegal activity
Your office had safety issues which were reported to higher officials but never fixed
Harassment or discrimination directed towards you
Hostility following you reporting any incorrect activities to your superiors

Apart from the above mentioned reasons, there are some others which are accepted as valid reasons for a voluntary quit. They are –

Quitting to take care of a sick family member
Quitting because you have a temporary disability or because you are medically unfit for the job
Quitting because you face domestic violence at home and it was no longer possible for you to continue working

How To Apply For UI After Quitting?

As soon as you put in the letter, you should ideally start applying for other jobs or apply for UI if you cannot work immediately. The typical eligibility criteria are as follows-

Minimum wages and hours worked during base period
Quitting due to a fault that wasn’t yours
Actively seeking new job opportunities
Available and ready for full time work

Apart from the part where you voluntarily quit, the rest should be met compulsorily. You can use our eligibility checker tool if you are unsure.

Keeping Up The Positivity

Irrespective of why you quit your job, it is important that you stay positive and think calmly to figure out a future plan. If there are solid reasons backing your resignation and if you meet the other requirements, chances are you will qualify for UI. Should you need any form of support of you if need to clear any questions, feel free to connect with the users on our discussion forum.

Never give up looking for new jobs and remember, stay happy and positive!

Cope With Long Term Unemployment In A Smart Way

Long-term unemployment is the sad truth of the first world. The economic crisis has shattered confidence of millions of people. However, there’s always a way out of any problem. Here’s how you can get out of the puddle of long-term unemployment.

It has been some time since the nightmare called recession affected our economy and we haven’t been able to recover from the blow even now. People who lost their jobs are still suffering and struggling to get their career back on track. The recent job reports states that the situation is healing at a comparatively slower pace of 8.5 percent. It further says that around 5.6 million people in America are looking for a source to earn their bread and butter for more than 6 months now and near about 3.9 million for over a year. The number of opportunities is fewer than the number of applicants and the chances of you getting through are slimmer than ever before.

Long-term unemployment has such an ill-impact that the employer doesn’t want to recruit someone who has been jobless for more than six months, irrespective of how strong their CV is. The employers have their own reasons for that- firstly the opportunities are less already, the employers also suspect the intent of the applicants and considers him to be lazy or unmotivated as he didn’t find jobs since long time. Also, the employer thinks that there must be a reason why you didn’t get hired by someone else till now.

Being unemployable and getting rejected has a huge effect on not just your pocket but on your psyche as well. Every rejection pushes you into the puddle of diffidence and suffocates you with the baggage of joblessness.

Be positive while explaining long term unemployment

Irrespective of knowing what is happening around, the recruiters will seek reasons from you for being unemployable and would want to hold you accountable considering you less competent. Even though the average length of unemployment in America after the recession is 10 months, but you cannot put all the blame on the economic meltdown.

Making yourself look like a poor, unlucky person who blames external trends for every ill-being of their life is never the right thing. Humbly accepting the mistakes you did while looking for the jobs earlier and explaining external environment affecting the same is a better reason you can give for your unemployment. The interviewer must realize that you are completely aware of the current trends and the challenges the industry is witnessing at present. Volunteering and freelancing is always a better way to sugarcoat your long-term unemployment. Emphasizing on these will reflect on your learner’s attitude and your value of utilizing time in a constructive way.

You must understand that you are not the only one who lost your job for absolutely no reason. There are a lot of people who went through or are undergoing the same pressure. Letting the temporary problems becoming your attitude will be the worst mistake you’ll make. Once you become accustomed to your diffidence, it will melt down in your personality and there’s no way you’ll be able to fake confidence in front of experienced hiring managers.

A bit of humor while talking about the long term unemployment is also good as it will lighten the entire discussion. However, maintain a balance and don’t make it too casual by only joking and making excuses.

Leave your past behind and keep your future growing

Lastly, avoid networking with the people who are in the same state. Choose your company wisely, surround yourself with people who are in the industry you wish to get into. If nothing else, LinkedIn should be your favorite place to hang out on the web. Connect with as many people in the same industry as possible and you’ll realize there’s just the perfect opportunity waiting for you. For more on this topic read How to ace an interview after long term unemployment. You can also read about State & Federally Funded Unemployment Benefits which help unemployed individuals by providing them with temporary financial aid.

Reasons for Suspension of Unemployment Benefits

You’re ought to be intimidated by that call or letter you receive with regard to suspension or disqualification from receiving unemployment.

We must underline the fact that not all applications for unemployment benefits see light of the day. Denial or suspension of an existing benefit are quite common. You’re ought to be intimidated by that call or letter you receive with regard to suspension or disqualification from receiving unemployment. This can be a shocker in most cases specially if you are completely dependent on that weekly benefit provided by the labor department in your state.

The bottom line will be avoid panicking. You must sit down, understand the reason for denial and assess other options available. Remember, you’re not the first or the only one to face this situation. There are hundreds just like you. Let us walk you through the standard procedure on what your immediate and follow up actions should look like.

When you’re existing benefits are suspended or new claim denied, the labor authorities in your state will send out intimation letter or/and also contact you giving you further details on-

Reason for Suspension/ Denial
Period of disqualification
If further action by you can help qualify
Appeal and Adjudication process

If you’re a fresh applicant, estimate monetary benefits using a simple tool.

Typical Reasons for Denying Unemployment Compensation

Lets look at the most common reasons on the basis of which compensation is generally denied. The list below is not exhaustive.

ABLE AND AVAILABLE –If you’re not able to work or unavailable to work full time due to personal reasons.
ATTENDING SCHOOL OR TRAINING – In some states, if you left the job to pursue further schooling, you may be disqualified since it conflicts with your availability to work.

VOLUNTARY QUIT EMPLOYMENT –If the reasons for separation from employment was quitting voluntarily.

MONETARY ELIGIBILITY – In addition to the wages, all other miscellaneous income such as severance pay, holiday pay, earnings from part time, consulting jobs must be declared. Failure to do so may result in denial of benefits.

ALIEN STATUS – Non citizens living in the US must have their alien status determined as per requirement from U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

FRAUD – If the applicant makes a false statement or intentionally provides incorrect facts to obtain compensation or increase it. In such cases, you may be prosecuted under fraud laws or be asked to pay back the benefits received along with interest.

INSUFFICIENT BASE PERIOD WAGES – If the wages earned in the base period did not meet the min. wage requirement.

ACTIVE SEARCH FOR WORK –You’re required to search and apply for jobs as per rules. If you fail to report this, benefits can be denied.

MEETING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – If you fall short of reporting to the labor department, when asked to do so or fail to submit routine reports like work search.

PENSION – Weekly benefit amount may be reduced if you received or going to receive pension.

SEVERANCE PAY – If you are in receipt of severance pay from your employer, it may have a saying at the time of application.

DISCHARGED FROM EMPLOYMENT – If you were fired from employment due to misconduct or other voluntary reasons.

OVERPAYMENT – If the payment value was over and above due to error from the system or otherwise, your benefits can be stopped until it is offset or you may be asked to remit the overpayment back.

MILITARY BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT – If the applicant separated from the military, the eligibility must be determined under federal laws.

REFUSED JOB OR JOB REFERRAL –If you are not applying for jobs and reporting them or fail to accept a suitable job offer without valid reasons.

Requalification

Read and understand why unemployment benefits were suspended or denied.One must carefully scrutinise and seek re application if the terms are not severe and you’re allowed to do so.

The letter(posted or e mailed) would contain procedure that will help you take follow up actions that includes reapplication. You may be asked to produce additional documents or provide information by the relevant authority. Ensure all actions required by you are fulfilled within the requested turnaround time. Failure to do so may result in unwanted delay and burden.

In grave situations where they clearly tell you that you will not qualify and if you strongly feel otherwise, ask for details of the appeals or adjudication process that helps escalation to a higher authority.

State Unemployment Benefits

The State Unemployment Benefits program (aka Dole) provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and meet other eligibility requirements of State law.These are social welfare programs conducted by the state to provide temporary financial assistance to the unemployed folks and help them obtain a job at the earliest.

Program Overview

Unemployment insurance compensation (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law.
Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program that adheres to the guidelines established by Federal law of that state.
Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts and the duration of eligibility period are determined by the State law under which unemployment insurance claims are established.

Eligibility

You must meet the State requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a “base period”. (In most States, this is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.)
You must be determined to have lost your previous job due to no mistake of yours. If this is not the case, the State shall conduct a probe to determine the reasons that lead to you loosing your job.
To receive the unemployment benefits you have to be actively searching for a job. Having a part time job doesn’t mean you will lose out on the benefits. However the wages earned from that job shouldn’t be over a certain salary range.
You must claim your weekly or bi-weekly benefits via phone or email.
When directed, you must report to your local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or Employment Service Office on the day and at the time you are scheduled to do so. If you fail to report as scheduled for any interview, benefits may be denied.
You may also be asked to register with the Unemployment agency so that you can attain a job at the earliest. If jobs are limited in your field, you may have to undergo a few tests to determine your skills that can help you secure a job in other fields.

Filing a Claim

Contact the State UIA as soon as possible post becoming unemployed. You can file a claim by telephone or over the Internet.
Provide names, addresses and dates of previous employments in the last 2 years.
You should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than where you live now contact the state UI agency where you reside and they can help you and give you information on how you can how to file your claim.

Registering For Work

Claimants may be directed to register for work with the State Employment Service, so it can help you in finding employment. If you are not required to register, you still may seek help in finding a job from the Employment Service.
Employment Service staff can refer you to job openings in your area or in other parts of the State or country if you are willing to relocate.
If job openings in your field are limited, they can offer testing and counseling to determine other jobs you might like to do and are able to do.
They will inform you on job fairs and give you updates on job database.
Training and more career-related assistance from the Department of Labor.

Disqualification from Eligibility

Insufficient earnings – eligibility for unemployment benefits depend on your earnings during a designated base period, which is typically the past year. If your income during the base period does not meet the state requirements, you may be deemed ineligible.
Fired for cause when your employer alleges misconduct, including if you violated a company policy or rule.
Quit without a good cause.
Left to get married.
Self-employed, or a contract or freelance worker.
Involved in a labor dispute, like a strike.
Left to attend school.

Benefits

In general, benefits are calculated based on a percentage of an individual’s earnings over a recent 52-week period – up to a State maximum amount.
Benefits will be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks in most States. This can be extended by by the government based on the current unemployment levels.
If your State is experiencing higher job loss rates, you will receive additional weeks of benefits. Some States provide additional benefits for specific purposes.
Benefits are subject to Federal income taxes and must be reported on your Federal income tax return. You may elect to have the tax withheld by the State Unemployment Insurance agency.