Alternate Base Period
An individual who lacks qualified
earnings on a regular unemployment benefit claim can request an
alternate base period and may be eligible for unemployment benefits.
The base period is one year of wages which determines eligibility
for unemployment benefits. The alternate base period allows an
individual to use the most recent 3 month quarter of wages to
establish eligibility for unemployment benefits. The individual must
have earned at least $640 in one base period quarter and lack
qualified earnings. Iowa Workforce Development will notify an
individual of eligibility for an alternate base period and the
individual may then request substitution of quarters within 10
calendar days. The individual will need to provide information
concerning the wages, employer, and check stubs or proof of earnings
for the most recent 3 month quarter which is prior to the claim. The
alternate base period allows an individual to receive unemployment
benefits based upon their most recent employment. 
The Unemployment Insurance Services Division of Iowa Workforce Development provides services to businesses, workers and the citizens of Iowa by collecting unemployment insurance taxes, maintaining the Iowa Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, and making payments to eligible jobless workers.
Unemployment insurance replaces part of the income workers lose when they become unemployed through no fault of their own. Unemployment insurance softens the economic impact job losses have on communities by maintaining purchasing power in the area where workers live.
Employers pay the money for unemployment benefits. No contributions for unemployment insurance come from employee wages.
Anyone who is no longer working, or is working substantially fewer hours, and has worked and earned wages in work covered by unemployment insurance (this determination is made by Iowa Workforce Development) in the last 15 to 18 months may file an application for unemployment insurance benefits.
