You must be able to work, be available for work, and be actively seeking work each week you claim benefits.

If you are determined to be the most recent employer, as defined by law, you will be mailed a questionnaire as soon as the claim is filed. The questionnaire will have specific questions to be answered regarding the reason for separation. You will be advised when the written information must be submitted, and you may be contacted by telephone if additional facts are required.

Your benefit year begins on Sunday of the week in which you file. Your claim is then active for 52 (sometimes 53) consecutive weeks. Duration of benefits is a minimum of 16 weeks and up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Your initial entitlement may last longer than the number of weeks indicated if you are working part time or on call and receiving partial benefits.

The general rule is that a person who voluntarily leaves suitable work without good cause, attributable to the employer, is not eligible for benefits. For good cause to be attributable to the employer, it must relate to the wages, hours, or working conditions of the job. A change in conditions created by your employer or a breach of your employment agreement which is substantial and adversely affects you may be good cause to quit.

If you are fired or suspended, you may be disqualified for benefits if the employer can prove one of the following: Wilful misconduct in the course of your employment. The term wilful misconduct means deliberate misconduct in wilful disregard of the employer's interest, or a single knowing violation of a reasonable and uniformly-enforced rule or policy of the employer, when reasonably applied, provided such violation is not a result of the employee's incompetence.

Unemployment insurance is temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are either looking for another job, have a definite recall within 6 weeks of the last day worked, or are in approved training. The funding for unemployment insurance benefits comes from taxes paid by employers. Workers do not pay any of the costs.

You can take your card to a Chase location or any bank that displays the MasterCard logo and receive your Unemployment Insurance benefits in cash. The MasterCard logo guarantees that you can withdraw funds from your account. At banks other than Chase, to avoid a $0.50 bank fee for either checking your account balance or for rejecting your withdrawal due to insufficient funds, you should know how much money is in your account before making a withdrawal.

Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income for both Federal and State Income Tax purposes. In most cases no income tax is deducted from your payment until a release form with your signature is received. You may elect to withhold federal income taxes, federal and North Dakota income taxes, or no taxes. The withholding of North Dakota income tax only is not an option. If you choose withholding, Federal income taxes will be withheld at a 10% rate. North Dakota income tax is 2%.

Any teacher (regularly-employed, long term substitute, and long term substitute in-pool) who has not been rescinded/recalled from layoff should apply for unemployment benefits. Detailed information regarding teacher’s rights regarding collecting unemployment will be mailed to teachers who have received layoff notices. Occasionally, teachers are initially denied benefits. Teachers should follow the appeal process instructions on their denial letters.

Yes. Any unemployment insurance benefits you receive are fully taxable income if you are required to file a tax return. At the time you file your claim, you may elect to have the department withhold state and/or federal tax on the benefits you receive. You may change this withholding election one time during the year. The department will send you a 1099-G form at the end of the calendar year showing how much in benefits you received during the previous year.

You may file your claim at any Georgia Department of Labor Career Center. To find the office nearest to you, go to Find Us, then select Career Centers.

You can print your account information that is found on the Department of Labor’s web site – www.labor.state.ny.us. You will need your Unemployment Insurance PIN number to access this information. If you do not have access to the Internet from your home, you can go to your union hall, local library or local One-Stop Career Center and use the computer there to access your account information.

You can go to a Chase location or any bank that displays the MasterCard logo and receive your Unemployment Insurance benefits in check form. The MasterCard logo guarantees that you can withdraw the funds in your account. To avoid a $0.50 fee to check your account balance at a non-Chase network bank, you should know how much money is in your account before making a withdrawal. There will be a charge for the check at any bank outside the Chase system.

No. You cannot receive Unemployment Insurance and SDI benefits simultaneously. You should consider Unemployment Insurance if you are now able to work and looking for work. You should apply for SDI if you are unable to work due to a disability.

Individuals should apply for benefits as soon as they are unemployed or working less than full-time. Weekly benefits are not paid retroactively, so the sooner you file, the sooner you may be eligible for benefits.

Unemployment benefits are paid for through payroll taxes contributed by the employer. Certain non-profit employers may qualify to reimburse the state for any benefits charged to them in lieu of paying a tax on gross payroll.

To file a claim for unemployment insurance, you may contact the UI Call Center @ 1-866-783-5567 or you may file online. Names, addresses, job-site locations and telephone numbers of any employers for whom you worked during the last 18 months. Your SF-8 and SF-50 (if you worked for a federal employer during the last 18 months). However, do not delay filing if you cannot locate your federal documents. To file a claim online, click here.

You must complete an Application for GDOL Tax Account or Status Change (DOL-1A) form and return it to the Georgia Department of Labor, Suite 850, 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta, GA. 30303-1751.