The information
below is being provided to those who are filing for unemployment
insurance benefits during a labor dispute (strike or lockout). After
applying for unemployment benefits, the Unemployment Insurance Division
will make several decisions to determine whether benefits can be
paid to you or not.
Your claim will be based on wages paid
to you in your base period. To establish a valid claim, you must
meet the following two requirements:
1) You must have been paid wages
in at least two quarters of your base period, and
2) You must have been paid wages
of at least 26 times your weekly benefit amount in your base period.
(Base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters.)
A notice of Unemployment
Insurance Determination of Insured Status will be sent
to you showing you whether your claim is valid. Your weekly
benefit amount is equal to 1/21 of the highest quarter wages
in your base period - the maximum weekly benefit amount for
the year 2006 is $459.00. A waiting period week must be served
on each claim and the maximum amount payable on a claim is 26
times the weekly benefit amount.
Your eligibility
will be determined by whether a work stoppage existed at the establishment
where you were last employed. Information will be obtained from
your employer and from your union representatives to make this determination.
If no work stoppage exists and you meet all other requirements, benefits
will be allowed.
A Notice
of Decision on Unemployment Insurance Claim covering
the weeks you filed for will be sent to you.
Other decisions
may also be made to determine your eligibility. Information which
you should report include: Strike pay, sick pay, vacation pay, social
security, pensions, disability or illnesses, schooling, and self-employment.
If more information is needed, you will be contacted by a claims
examiner to make this determination.
APPEAL
RIGHTS: If you disagree with any decision made by the Unemployment
Insurance Division, you have the right to appeal that decision.
Report in-person or submit a written request for reconsideration
or appeal within 10 calendar days from the date the decision
was mailed to you.
TAXABLE
INCOME. Unemployment benefits are taxable income and Form
1099G will be mailed to you after the end of the calendar year.
You may elect to have Federal and/or State taxes withheld when
you apply for your claim.
