Unemployment Insurance for Workers and Compliance

Unemployment insurance is a joint federal/state program that provides temporary financial assistance for eligible workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own. It provides temporary compensation to unemployed workers who meet certain eligibility requirements under State law. Unemployment insurance is provided for a specified period of time or until the worker finds another job.

This article provides information about the eligibility conditions, compensation information, how to file a claim and compliance requirements for employers.

Duration and eligibility

• Unemployment benefits vary by state. It is best to check with the State Employment Office to determine eligibility for benefits. Most states provide benefits for up to 26 weeks.
• Eligibility for unemployment compensation is determined by state laws. Most states have requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time known as the base period.

Compensation (amount paid as unemployment insurance)

• The law of the state determines unemployment compensation. Wage assistance varies based on an individual’s previous earnings.
• States use different calculations to determine the amount to be paid. Some states consider the worker’s prior annual earnings made from previous employment, others consider the worker’s earnings during two quarters of the base period or during the highest paid quarter. Some states provide additional unemployment benefits to workers with dependents.
• Each state has an upper limit on the total weekly benefit amount. In many cases, the compensation is half the individual’s previous earnings, up to a maximum amount that is often based on the average earnings in the state.

What the applicant has to do

• As soon as an individual becomes unemployed he/she must file a claim with the State Employment Service/Department of Labor. In some states, the applicant can file a claim by telephone or over the Internet, others accept a specified form by mail.
• The applicant should file an unemployment claim with the state where he/she has worked. If the applicant has worked in multiple states or has worked in a state other than the one where he/she lives, it is best to contact the state unemployment office where the applicant resides now to determine how to file a claim with other states.
• When the applicant files a claim, he/she must provide certain information such as the applicant's full name, mailing address, names and addresses of previous employers, date of employment, and prior earnings. Information must be complete and accurate to avoid delays in the claim process.

Compliance with unemployment insurance laws

• Employers must comply with unemployment insurance laws of their state. Most states require employers to display a notice stating that the company is covered under the unemployment insurance laws of the state. The poster should explain how to apply for benefits as well as the rights and responsibilities of employees.
• Labor laws can change from time to time. In such a reality, employers must comply with them and must display the recently updated labor law posters. This is because, whether it is deliberate or otherwise, noncompliance results in liabilities for employers.

Purchase compliance services

Employers should consider purchasing compliance services from reputable labor law compliance services as they help employers maintain compliance with federal/state laws.

Labor Law Center provides compliance labor law poster solutions across US since 1999 to all stake holders. We provide wide selection of Federal, State, OSHA and Texas labor law posters, safety products and employment related kits. If you're looking for our services using the keyword California labor law posters, visit our website Laborlawcenter.com.

LaborLawCenter, Inc. is one such organization that specializes in providing compliance labor law poster solutions to any size business and corporate resellers across United States since 1999.