Prepared by Public Affairs 312-751-4777
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has announced that railroad
workers can now file biweekly claims for railroad unemployment benefits over the
Internet.
Employees can access this new service by visiting the Board's Web site at
www.rrb.gov and clicking on "MainLine Services" for directions on establishing
an RRB Internet Services account. At that time, to ensure security, they must
apply for a Password Request Code, which they will receive by mail in about 7 to
10 days. Once employees establish their online accounts, they will be able to
file biweekly claims for unemployment benefits, as well as conduct other
business with the Board, over the Internet. Employees are encouraged to
establish online accounts while still employed so the account is ready whenever
they need to use this or other Internet services. Employees who have already
established online accounts do not need to do so again.
Unemployed rail workers were provided the option of filing applications online
for railroad unemployment benefits in March 2004, but still had to file biweekly
claim forms for their days of unemployment on paper claim forms. Claimants now
receiving paper forms may instead file their claims online if they wish.
Although claimants cannot file applications or biweekly claims for railroad
sickness benefits over the Internet, the Board is planning to add the online
filing of sickness claims in the future.
The new service is part of the Board's plan to implement comprehensive Internet
services that will expand access to information and allow the railroad public to
conduct its business with the agency online. For those who choose not to conduct
business over the Internet, the Board's field offices are available to answer
in-person, telephone, and written inquiries.
Most Board offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Addresses and phone numbers for all
Board offices are available by calling the toll-free RRB Help Line at
1-800-808-0772. The RRB Help Line is an automated telephone service available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. Board office locations and phone numbers can also be
found on the Board's Web site.
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