How to File for Unemployment During COVID-19
According to Louie Lujan, Government Relations Director with CIMA Law Group, the U.S. Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance programs provide unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet certain other eligibility requirements. Unemployment insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers. Each state administers a separate unemployment insurance program, but all states follow the same guidelines established by federal law.
Who is Eligible for Unemployment?
Workers who are laid off for economic reasons due to the business closing, a reduction-in-force, or because of lack of work, are considered to be unemployed through no fault of their own.
What You Will Need to Apply for UI:
- Your Social Security Number
- Your mailing address, county of residence
- Your Driver License or state-issued ID number
- Employment history:
- The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all employers for the last 18 months, including the correct mailing address and telephone number for the most recent employer
- The last day worked immediately prior to filing the UI claim
- Amount (before deductions) and date of any payment for severance, vacation, holiday or unused sick pay
- The name and local number of your union hall, if applicable
- Alien Registration Number, if applicable
- Copy #4 of DD Form 214 if released from the military in the last 18 months
- SF 8 or SF 50 if employed in Federal Civilian service in the last 18 months
- Start date and monthly benefit amount of any pension (other than Social Security)
Applying Over the Phone:
You can apply by phone, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The phone number is 1(877)600–2722.
Applying Online:
You can find the link to your state’s Department of Economic Security here.
Filing a Weekly Claim:
To maintain Unemployment Insurance benefits, you are required to file weekly claims confirming that you continue to meet the requirements to receive Unemployment Insurance. You must file a claim every week you are unemployed, or underemployed. Additional information will be mailed to you once filed or can be found on your state’s Department of Economic Security website.
Originally published at http://cima.law.blog on June 1, 2020.
