Unemployment
Insurance
Requirements for
Unemployment Benefits
-
Be totally or partially unemployed;
-
Have worked and earned a certain
amount of wages in work covered by unemployment insurance in the last
15 to 18 months;
-
Have lost your job through no fault
of your own; and
-
Be able and available for work if
offered to you.
In most cases, you must also be
registered for work with your local Workforce Development Center, and be
actively seeking work.
Filing Your Claim
1. You may begin your claim process by creating a user
and personal information account. If you already have created an
online user account by previously registering for an unemployment
insurance claim or for Online
Employment Registration Services, then just log
in and file
your Unemployment Insurance Claim online.
Please follow directions carefully and note the
following: This online claim application currently cannot be
accessed using WebTV, PDAs, handheld computers and similar systems. Our
applications best function using Internet Explorer Version 5.0 or
greater, or Netscape 6.2 or greater. To check your current browser level
or for links to upgrade your browser, visit our Terms
of Use.
2. You may go to your local Workforce Development
Center as an individual and staff will assist you to self-file your claim into the
system.
No matter which way you choose to file your
unemployment insurance claim, you will need the following information:
- Your Social Security number;
- The name of your last employer;
- The address of your last employer;
- The start and end dates of your last job;
- Whether or not you will receive vacation pay,
severance, etc.; and
- If you are leaving military service, you will
need a copy of your DD 214.
In all cases, you will receive a booklet called “Facts
About Unemployment Insurance.” This booklet contains information
about Unemployment Insurance benefits, eligibility requirements, and how
to report your weekly claim.
Reporting
Most Iowans can receive unemployment
insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks, and in some cases 39 weeks. After
you provide the initial information needed to confirm your eligibility,
you will be asked to provide additional information to continue to receive
payments.
Each week you will be asked to certify
that you:
-
Are unemployed or working only
reduced hours;
-
Are able and available for work;
-
Have not refused any job offers or
referrals;
-
Are actively looking for work
(unless waived);
-
Are reporting any pay or pension
you may be receiving.
As always, your mandatory weekly
reporting on your unemployment can be accomplished by calling 1 (800)
850-5627.
A computer Voice Response Unit will
answer and a prerecorded message will ask you the eligibility questions
one at a time.
"Coping with Unemployment - What
to Do When You're Out of Work" Life Skills Education:
This pamphlet and many others are
available at your local Workforce Development Partnership office. In
addition to income support, the Workforce Development Partnership offers
resources and workshops to help you deal with the loss of a job and return
to the workforce.
Some individuals receiving unemployment
insurance may be identified as being at risk for long-term unemployment.
You may receive notification to participate in the Reemployment Services (RES)
program designed to help you return to the workforce as quickly as
possible. RES participants will attend a special
orientation outlining available options. Following the orientation each
individual will have the opportunity to meet with one of our professional
staffing specialists to develop a personal job search plan.
