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Your right to unemployment benefits
Workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own are entitled to unemployment compensation benefits.

Have you lost your job through no fault of your own or has your employer reduced your work hours? If so, there is a good chance you are eligible for unemployment benefits.

If eligible, you will receive a weekly cash benefit that will partially make up for the wages you are no longer receiving due to your unemployment. The amount of weekly benefits depends on the amount of your gross wages and the number of dependents you have.

Normally, unemployed workers are entitled to up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. If you were laid off because of a plant closing, you may be eligible for up to 39 weeks of benefits.

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must:

• file a new, initial claim with Iowa Workforce Development either by 1) completing an application online

• (www.iowaworkforce.org), 2) visiting a local office, or 3) calling (877) 891-5344 (outside the . Des Moines calling area) or 281-4199 (from the Des Moines area); 

• be totally or partially unemployed and have lost your job through no fault of your own or suffered a reduction in work hours through no fault of your own; 

• have worked and earned a certain amount of wages in the last 15 to 18 months; 

• be able to work and available for work; 

• be registered for work with an Iowa Workforce Development office (unless exempted from this requirement) and comply with all reporting and procedural requirements; 

• be actively seeking work following Iowa Workforce Development standards (this requirement may be waived if temporarily unemployed); and 

• you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Even workers who are fired by their employer are often eligible, if their employer didn't have a proper reason for the firing.

If there is an issue or dispute involving your claim for unemployment insurance benefits, a Workforce Development representative will conduct a fact-finding interview to determine if you are eligible. Your former employer may participate in the interview.
After the interview, you will be notified as to whether or not you are eligible for benefits.

If denied benefits, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL the decision and be heard at an appeal hearing. It is not uncommon for workers to receive unemployment benefits after they file an appeal.

For more information:
Your local Workforce Development office or contact:
Iowa Workforce Development
1000 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0209
281-4199 (Des Moines area) or (877) 891-5344 (toll free)

If you are denied benefits, you may wish to speak with an attorney. If you are unable to afford an attorney, you may be able to receive assistance from the Legal Services Corporation of Iowa at (800) 532-1275.

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