In the early years of the pandemic, the unemployment rate in the U.S. set off alarm bells both nationally and internationally. By April 2020, the national percentage was 14.7, a 20-year-high, allowing many to claim that the U.S. was not only suffering from a global health crisis but an economic crisis as well.
At the time, it didn’t matter who the highest-paid employees at ESPN were, the pros of working as a photographer, or the job options as a criminal justice professional.
While unemployment benefit policies have helped Americans for decades, it was an excellent palliative during the COVID-19 years, so states paid more attention once the situation stabilized. Having these types of programs in place is essential in case of an emergency, so you need to have an idea of how the system works in your state.
Can I claim unemployment benefits if I resign?
Yes, you can, but it will depend mainly on the cause of your resignation. If you did it for a “good cause”, you will be able to enjoy this benefit for a certain period of time.
However, each state has its conditions, so you should check their official pages to find out what applies in your case. Some main “good causes” that are accepted may be:
- Salary reductions
- Reduction of working hours
- Illegal activities in the workplace
In the case of the unemployment insurance program of the State of New York, the New York State Handbook establishes domestic violence as a good cause to resign. This applies if you and your family’s well-being is at risk.
@erinmcgoff ❌ myth: you can’t get unemployment if you quit your job ✅ fact: you can be eligible for unemployment if you quit with “good cause”! 😐 If you quit your job because you were bored, that’s not good cause & you won’t be eligible for government assistance. 🤔 But if you quit for a reason our of your control—injury, illegal activities, harassment, reduction of hours, needing to care for a child/faimly member—you may still be eligible 🇺🇸 In the US, unemployment assistance is run by each state, so you have to look up the specific rules in your state. You got this! 👏 P.S. – Need to consult an employemnt lawyer? I’ll list some resources in the comments! not legal advice, just education #greenscreen #quit #quittingmyjob #career #careertiktok #unemployed #funemployed #unemployment #careertok #careercoach #hrtiktok #resume #college #coverletter #internship #edutok #learnontiktok #tiktokcreator #tiktoktaughtme
US unemployment benefits eligibility
There are specific benefits depending on the state in which you live and work; however, there are basic criteria that, if you meet them, will bring you closer to being eligible. Therefore, you must be clear about the following situations to qualify:
- You resigned due to a lack of work
- You met the estimated time and salary in an estimated time
- You are interested in working as soon as possible
One of the conditions in the state of Massachusetts is that the unemployed person must have earned at least $6,000 over the last 4 completed calendar quarters.
In addition, some states require that you complete a record or form for each week that you receive this assistance. Others require a report, either by phone or through a web-based platform.
How does unemployment benefit work in the US?
byu/appllerrr inAskAnAmerican
I am eligible, what is the process to apply?
In certain cases, you will have to fill out an unemployment insurance claim. You must complete this step the same week you quit. It is also critical that you are honest with all the information you provide, as some states will confirm what you report with your last employer.
In Kentucky, for example, you will be able to make the claim by phone or through the state’s official website. Minnesota’s system is similar, and in both cases, there are specific times to apply. Once the claim has been validated, and you meet the profile, you will receive a notification to apply for financial aid.
In most cases, you will have to make a weekly report of your situation, as well as an application to receive the stipend. Keep in mind that each week you must continue to seek employment and be truthful about your work situation.
What information does the Unemployment Insurance program require?
In addition to the reason for your resignation or the reasons for the decrease in your work hours or wages, you must also provide basic information to the state office in charge of administering the benefit, such as:
- Full name
- Address
- Birthday
- Social Security number
- Contact information
You must also provide information corresponding to your last jobs in the last 15 to 18 months and how much your salary was during that time. In some states, you must report if you have minor children in your care and, therefore, you must provide information such as their social security number.
How long can you be on unemployment benefits in the US?
This is a temporary benefit; therefore it is necessary that you keep seeking employment during each week that you receive it. In most cases, you will only be able to enjoy this benefit for 26 weeks in a year.
In some states, such as Delaware, the number of weeks you receive unemployment service will depend on the base amount of your claim, with the maximum being 26 weeks.
How much will I receive each week?
In most cases, you will receive 50% based on your average weekly earnings. In some states both the maximum and minimum vary, while in Massachusetts the maximum for 2022 was $1015 per week, and in Delaware, it was $400.
The amount of money you receive will also be affected by your occupation. If you work part-time or go to school, the amount may be less than 50%.
The same is true if you are self-employed. In the case of having to travel outside the country or within the national territory, some states do not pay in the first situation, and in the second they reduce it considerably.
Keep in mind that whenever you receive this financial aid you must be honest with the status of your work situation and seek employment. Both of these are prerequisites for weekly payments, which is why emphasis is placed on them whenever possible.
How will I receive my payment?
State governments have established different mechanisms for beneficiaries of these programs to receive weekly payments. Some have a card designed specifically for the program, while others offer direct payment to the beneficiary’s account. However, in most cases, they offer both facilities.
Remember that payment is weekly, so you must apply on specific days. In addition, once you have confirmed your eligibility, you must wait a maximum of three weeks to start receiving the payment, so you must fill out the claim as soon as you have notified your waiver.
References
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“Claimant FAQs – Delaware Department of Labor.” Delaware Department of Labor, https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/unemployment-insurance/claimant-faqs/
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“—.” Delaware Department of Labor, https://labor.delaware.gov/divisions/unemployment-insurance/claimant-faqs/
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“CLAIMANT HANDBOOK YOUR GUIDE TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS.” Labor Files, https://laborfiles.delaware.gov/main/dui/handbook/UI%20Claimant%20Handbook.pdf
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“Guide to Employer Contributions to DUA | Mass.Gov.” Mass.Gov, https://www.mass.gov/guides/guide-to-employer-contributions-to-dua
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“How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance? | U.S. Department of Labor.” DOL, https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance
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“Unemployment Assistance for Claimants – YouTube.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwY12RXV-B8jFMow3heYYTICZvc4o0h9Y
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“Unemployment Insurance (UI) Eligibility and Benefit Amounts | Mass.Gov.” Mass.Gov, https://www.mass.gov/guides/unemployment-insurance-ui-eligibility-and-benefit-amounts#-benefit-amount-and-what-affects-it
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“UnemploymentBenefits.” Career One Stop, https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/unemployment-benefits-finder-help.aspx