Benefits Eligibility Checker

Eligibility for benefits is based on:

• Your wages over the past 12 to 18 months (see page 8 for base period wage examples)
• The reason you are no longer working
• Your physical and mental ability and availability for work
• Your efforts to apply for work
• Verification of your citizenship or legal-to-work status if you are not a U.S. citizen

Your current/most recent employer and all employers you have worked for within the last six weeks of filing or reactivating your claim will be asked specific information about your separation. UI will investigate the reasons surrounding your separation from employment. The time it takes to complete the investigation process varies and depends on the circumstances of your separation. All parties are given an opportunity to respond by a specified due date. Prompt responses may shorten the time between issue and decision.

Waiting Week

The first week you are eligible is called your Waiting Week. You must file a payment request and meet all eligibility requirements, however you will not get paid for this week. Your payments will start with the next week a payment request is made if you are eligible. There is only one Waiting Week per Benefit Year.

You may receive benefits if you:

• Were laid off, or your hours were reduced, because your employer did not have available work for you
• Left employment and can show it was for good cause related to the job
• Are unemployed because you or your child were a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault
• Were discharged from your job for reasons other than misconduct

You may not receive benefits if you:

• Left your job for personal reasons not related to your work
• Were suspended or discharged (fired) for misconduct
• Reported a work application or resume submission that could not be verified
• Are on a department-approved leave of absence
• Did not provide accurate information, respond to requests for information, or file a payment request on time
• Are not available to work the hours or days customary to your occupation
• Are not willing to accept the same wage you received from your last employer
• Are self-employed full-time
• Are currently receiving workers’ compensation for an on-the-job injury
• Are not willing or able to work 40 hours per week
• Fail to complete the online registration process
• Are not working due to a strike or labor union dispute (special laws govern these claims)

Failing to report you quit, were fired, or were unable or unavailable to work is considered fraud.