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 some cases, you must also be
registered for work at your local Workforce Development Center, and be
actively seeking work.
Filing Your Claim
There are several ways to file a claim for
unemployment insurance benefits:
1. You may file
An Unemployment Insurance Claim Online.
2. You may go to your local Workforce Development
Center. Staff there will assist you in the completion of the necessary paperwork
necessary to submit your claim or self file via the Intranet.
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 is full of 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 their personal job search plan.
