person filling out unemployment benefits form

To be eligible for unemployment compensation you must meet all of the following:

  • Be unemployed at the time of filing
  • Have at least 20 qualifying weeks of covered employment in the base period
  • Earn an average weekly wage of at least $222.00 (this amount changes each year)

You should file your application as soon as you become unemployed. Your claim will begin the Sunday of the calendar week in which it is filed. Waiting more than a full week to file your application will postpone the beginning of your claim and no benefits will be paid for weeks of unemployment that occurred prior to the week of filing.

You can file your application for benefits without help. But if your application is denied, you need to request a redetermination and if you are denied again, you need to request an appeal.  Don’t file an appeal without our help.  Your employer has an HR department and/or a lawyer who know the applicable standards and if you try this on your own you may be walking away from tens of thousands of dollars in benefits. Unemployment appeals have strict deadlines. Failure to meet these deadlines can result in a permanent loss of benefits. Call Beggs Law Offices for experienced help in protecting your right to these important benefits.