Overview
To assist unemployed workers and to help stabilize
a dynamic economy, IDES administers the state's Unemployment
Insurance (UI) system.
New Federal Tax Exemption
The first $2,400 of UI benefits received during the 2009 tax year are
not subject to federal taxes. If you wish to change your withholding
status on your current claim, please complete the TAX-2
form and fax
the form to 1-217-557-2067 or mail the form to:
IDES
850 E Madison
First Floor
Springfield, IL 62794-9295
Need to order a new Tax Form 1099-G, for benefits reported to the IRS in
2008 or other years?
The Federal Additional Compensation Program
Chicago (3/3) - The recently enacted Federal Additional Compensation
Program (FAC) provides a $25 weekly supplement to individuals who are
eligible to receive unemployment benefits under federal or state law. >> get
a printer-friendly overview
Emergency Unemployment Insurance Benefits (EUC 08)
What do I need to do to file for EUC 08? When
your regular benefits run out (are "exhausted"), an EUC
08 claim will automatically be established in most cases.
Once this claim is established, you will receive a "findings" letter
indicating your eligibility for this program. In
some situations where your benefit year is ending, you
will receive a notice to report to your local office to
determine your entitlement.
Longer Hours for Tele-Serve
 From
5 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, Monday through Friday, including
many holidays, the IDES
Tele-Serve system is a fast, safe, reliable touch-tone
service that enables you to certify or claim weeks of
unemployment insurance benefits over the telephone after
you file for benefits.
What if the number is busy? Call
volume is often particularly high early in the morning
(especially Mondays). If the number is busy, WAIT, and
try calling again later in the morning or in the afternoon. Certifying
early on your scheduled call date doesn't make payments
come any faster.
Note: Before any benefits can be paid on a new claim,
you must serve a non-paid "waiting week". Electronic
payments made to eligible individuals are generally available
within 2-3 business days of certification.
Keeping Your Work Search Records
When claiming Regular UI & EUC
08 benefits: get the
standard Work Search form
When claiming Extended
Benefits (EB), the Work Search requirements are more stringent:
How do I get a copy of my tax withholding
statement (1099-G) from IDES?
 Because unemployment
benefits are subject to federal and state income
tax,
each year Form 1099-G is mailed by January 31st to
those individuals who received UI benefits in the
previous calendar year, using the last address
on file. These documents may be forwarded, provided
the Post Office has a current "mail
forwarding"
request on file.
For individuals
who have moved, address changes can be made by visiting
or calling your local office, during regular
business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Offices are often quite busy in the mornings, especially
on Mondays and Tuesdays. Calls
or visits are often more successful later
in the week.
Beginning
in February, individuals with a current mailing address
on file with IDES may re-order Tax Form 1099 for specific
tax years by calling Tele-Serve (between 5
a.m. and 9 p.m., CST), using the following procedure:
- call 888-337-7234, then
- select "1" for English (or "2" for
Spanish, etc.)
- select "3" for "check status of
your claim"
- enter your SSN, then
- enter your PIN, then
- select "3" for "benefits reported
to IRS ...."
- enter the year ("2008", for example;
earlier years may also be requested)
A new 1099 will normally be mailed
in 1-2 business days when using Tele-Serve.
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Unemployment
Insurance (UI) Benefits Handbook