Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook
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State of Illinois Department of Employment Security Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook
Table of Contents Protect Your Benefits ............................................................................................................ 2 Unemployment Insurance Benefits .................................................................................... 2 Insured Work ........................................................................................................................ 3 Uninsured Work ................................................................................................................... 3 Are You Eligible for Benefits? .............................................................................................. 4 When and Where to File ..................................................................................................... 8 Information Needed to File for Benefits ............................................................................ 8 What “Able to and Available for Work” Means ................................................................. 9 Actively Looking for Work................................................................................................... 9 Claiming Children as Dependents ..................................................................................... 10 Claiming a Spouse as a Dependent .................................................................................... 10 What Happens When You File Your New Claim for Benefits? ...................................... 11 Benefits Paid for Weeks ....................................................................................................... 12 Receiving Benefit Payments Via Direct Deposit .............................................................. 12 Receiving Benefit Payments Via Debit Card ..................................................................... 12 Certify for Benefits Using “Tele-Serve” ............................................................................. 13 Scheduled Appointments .................................................................................................... 13 If You Report by Mail ........................................................................................................... 15 If You Are Unable to Work .................................................................................................. 15 If You Move ........................................................................................................................... 15 When You Return to Work ................................................................................................. 15 Lost Debit Cards ................................................................................................................... 15 If You Are Overpaid ............................................................................................................. 16 False or Misleading Information ........................................................................................ 16 If Your Claim Is Contested .................................................................................................. 16 If Your Claim Is Denied at Any Time—Your Appeal Rights .......................................... 17 What Happens to Your Appeal? ......................................................................................... 17 Employer Appeal Rights ...................................................................................................... 18 How Your Benefits Are Determined .................................................................................. 18 Your Base Period ................................................................................................................... 19 Total Weekly Benefits ........................................................................................................... 20 Total Yearly Benefits ............................................................................................................. 20 Partial Benefits—Part-Time Work ..................................................................................... 20 Figuring Partial Benefits ...................................................................................................... 21 Interstate Benefits ................................................................................................................. 21 Combined Wage Claim ........................................................................................................ 22 United States Government Employees .............................................................................. 22 U.S. Military Veterans .......................................................................................................... 23 Trade Assistance Benefits .................................................................................................... 25 Profiling and Referral to Reemployment Services ........................................................... 25 Report Your Return to Work Immediately ....................................................................... 26 Final Tips for Filing .............................................................................................................. 26 Benefits May Be Taxable ...................................................................................................... 27 Your Social Security Number Is Required ......................................................................... 27 Fax Lines for Customers ...................................................................................................... 29 IDES Resources Online ........................................................................................................ 30
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Introduction
This publication provides detailed instructions on how job seekers can apply
for unemployment insurance benefits.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) collects
unemployment insurance taxes from the state’s liable employers and returns
those dollars to eligible Illinois workers as unemployment insurance benefits.
IDES also operates an employment service and other special programs for the
unemployed and underemployed and matches employer labor needs with the
skills of job seekers.
To find out more about IDES or for additional copies of this brochure, visit us
on the Internet at www.ides.illinois.gov.
Where to Find IDES Services
All IDES services are available through more than 50 local IDES offices and
Illinois workNet Centers throughout Illinois. To find an office near you, call
1-888-367-4382.
Nondiscrimination
IDES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal
nondiscrimination laws in the administration of its programs. Auxiliary
aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
1 Contact your IDES office manager or the IDES Equal Opportunity Officer at
(312) 793-9290 or TTY (888) 340-1007.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Protect Your Benefits
Many unemployed workers lose their benefits for a week or more because they
do not follow the instructions in this booklet. Mistakes in filing claims can
delay payment of your benefits. If you do not understand these instructions,
ask for assistance at your local IDES office or Illinois workNet Center. You are
entitled to be represented in all matters relating to your claim by a person or
organization of your choice. Information concerning your claim can be given to
your representative only if that representative shows evidence of authorization
from you.
Unemployment
Insurance Benefits does not protect you against wage
losses while you are absent from
Unemployment insurance is a work due to illness or while you are
state-operated insurance program idle by choice.
designed to partially compensate
you for loss of wages when you are Unemployment insurance should
out of work. Like fire, accident, not be confused with Social
health and other types of insurance, Security, which is a federal program
it is for an emergency: when you to protect you and your dependents
are temporarily or permanently out against loss of earnings upon
of a job or if you work less than full retirement, permanent disability
time because of lack of work. or death. You pay for Social
Security partially through payroll
The program ensures that, if you deductions; you do not pay any
meet the eligibility requirements of part of your wages, either directly
the law, you will have some income or through payroll deductions,
2 while you are looking for a job, up for unemployment insurance in
to a maximum of 26 full weeks in Illinois. Unemployment insurance
a one-year period. Unemployment benefits are funded by tax dollars
insurance, however, cannot and collected from Illinois employers.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Insured Work Uninsured Work
If you qualify for unemployment There are some types of work that
insurance, you will receive benefits may not be insured in Illinois and
based on insured work. Insured work other types of work that are insured
is work performed for an employer for some employers but not insured
who is subject to the law — one for others.
who is required to make payments
to the state under the Illinois Wages paid for work that is not
Unemployment Insurance Act. insured cannot be used as a basis for
claiming benefits. Some examples:
The biweekly payments to you are
known as benefits. To qualify for 1. Agricultural workers who are
benefits, you must meet eligibility covered are those who worked
requirements. If you do, benefits for an employing unit that paid
will be paid to you as a matter at least $20,000 in cash wages
of right. Benefits are not based to these employees during any
on need; they are not charity or calendar quarter or employed
welfare. 10 or more individuals within
each of 20 or more calendar
In Illinois, the unemployment weeks within either the current
insurance program is administered or preceding calendar year.
by IDES, and services are provided Other agricultural workers are
to the public at local IDES offices not covered.
throughout the state.
2. Domestic workers who are
If you become unemployed, you covered are those who worked
may file a claim at your nearest for an employing unit that paid
IDES office or online at at least $1,000 in cash wages for
www.ides.illinois.gov. To find the any domestic services in any
office nearest you, call (800) 244- calendar quarter in either the
5631. current or preceding calendar
year. Other domestic workers
You should file your claim during are not covered.
3 the first week after you have become
unemployed, or as soon thereafter as 3. Railroad work covered by
possible. The longer you delay filing, the Railroad Unemployment
the more benefits you may lose. Insurance Act is not insured.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
4. Certain family employment, Are You Eligible for Benefits?
such as a person working for
a spouse, a parent working for Unemployment insurance, like
a son or daughter or a son or other forms of insurance, requires
daughter under 18 working for that certain eligibility conditions be
a parent, is not covered. met before your claim can be paid.
These conditions are designed to
5. Work as an insurance agent ascertain that you have been recently
or solicitor paid solely on employed and are now unemployed
a commission basis is not through no fault of your own.
covered.
ELIGIBILITY
6. Some government work in You are eligible for benefits only for
special job situations (elected weeks in which you meet all of the
officials) or those hired to work following conditions and are not
for a short period following a subject to disqualification:
disaster may not be covered.
1. You were unemployed during
7. Federal, state or locally funded that week.
work relief / work training are
not covered. 2. You were paid $1,600 or more
in wages during your base
8. Also not covered are direct period for insured work (please
sellers of consumer products see page 19.)
on a buy-sell basis, by
direct commission or any 3. You were paid at least $440 of
similar basis in a home or your base period wages at any
in an establishment other time during the base period
than a permanent retail outside the calendar quarter in
establishment. which your wages were highest.
There are some other types of work 4. During the week, you were
that are not insured under the able to work, available for work
Illinois program but may be under and actively looking for work.
4 another state (see page 21) or the (Please see page 9.)
federal government. If you have
any questions, consult your local 5. You were registered for work
IDES staff. with IDES.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
6. You filed your claim for the 2. You were discharged for
week as scheduled using IDES’ misconduct connected with
automated Tele-Serve system your work.
or as otherwise directed by
your local IDES office. 3. You failed, without good cause,
to apply for or accept a suitable
7. You have served one “waiting job offered to you. Under the
week.” The “waiting week” is a law, a job is not suitable if:
qualifying period required by
law, and benefits are not paid a. The job opening exists
for this week. It is usually the because of a labor dispute.
first week for which you file
your claim. To obtain credit b. The wages, hours or other
for the waiting week you must working conditions of the job
meet all the requirements are not as good as those that
listed above and not be subject exist for the same kind of work
to disqualification. in the same community.
DISQUALIFICATIONS c. Your safety, health or morals
Even though you meet the may be endangered.
eligibility conditions listed above,
you will not be eligible for benefits d. You would have to resign
if you are disqualified. You will be from or be prevented from
disqualified if: joining a union to get or keep
the job.
1. You quit your job without
good cause attributable e. You would displace another
to your employer, unless worker under a collective
you quit because of one bargaining agreement and
of these reasons: health, cause that person to be laid off.
sexual harassment, domestic
violence, unsuitable work, (Note: If any of the first three
acceptance of another job, disqualifications apply to you,
failure to exercise bumping you will not be eligible for future
5 privileges or the need to benefits until you find another
accompany a spouse in the job and earn an amount equal to
military. or more than your weekly benefitUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
amount in each of four calendar been or will be paid or your
weeks (there are also a few types employer is obligated to pay
of work that cannot be used to wages in the form of vacation
requalify) and lose that job for a pay, vacation allowance or
non-qualifying reason.) stand-by pay for an announced
shutdown for inventory
4. You were discharged because or vacation purposes or if,
you committed a felony or theft in connection with your
in connection with your work. separation, the employer makes
You may be denied all benefits or will make such payment and
based on wages paid you up to files a timely designation of the
the date of your discharge. period covered by the pay or
for which you receive wages
5. You are unemployed because in lieu of notice or a back-pay
a labor dispute has caused a award.
stoppage of work at the place
where you work. You may 8. For the same week for
be denied benefits until the which you claim benefits,
stoppage ends. If you can you are receiving workers’
show that you and all the compensation for a temporary
other workers in your grade total disability equal to or
or classification were not more than the unemployment
participating in or directly insurance benefits you
interested in the labor dispute, could draw for the week. If
you will not be denied the amount is less than the
benefits even though there is a benefits, you may be paid the
stoppage. difference.
6. For the same week for which 9. Since the beginning of your
you claim Illinois benefits, you prior benefit year (please see
are receiving unemployment page 19) in which you were
benefits from another state or paid benefits, you have not
under a federal law such as earned the required amount
the Railroad Unemployment to qualify for a second year of
6 Insurance Act. benefits.
7. For any week for which you 10. You will be paid or have
claim benefits, you have received a retirement pensionUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
or other similar periodic the pension and the weekly
payment (including Social benefit amount is $331.00. The
Security) for the week for formula is as follows:
which you claim benefits.
One-half of your Social
$1030.50 ÷ 30 = $34.35... Daily Amount
Security or retirement
pension payment (if paid for
$34.35 x 7 = $240.45 ...... Weekly
in part by your base period
Retirement
or chargeable employer) or
Amount
all of a retirement pension
payment (if the base period or
$240.45÷2 = $120.225..... 50% of Weekly
chargeable employer paid all
Amount
of its cost) is deducted from
$331.00 - $120.225 =
your unemployment insurance
$210.775 ........................... Round to Next
benefits.
Highest Dollar
Benefit amount after
Retirement pension/Social
retirement deductions ... $211.00
Security is determined
by using the following
calculation: monthly amount 11. Your claim is based on
of pension is divided by wages that were earned while
thirty (30) then multiplied you worked for an educational
by seven (7), which is the institution as a teacher,
weekly pension amount. If researcher or administrator,
the employer paid any part you are between academic
of the pension, then the terms or you are on vacation
weekly amount is divided by or a holiday recess and you
two (2) to determine one- have the reasonable assurance
half (50%). Primary Social of returning the following
Security benefits are always term. However, educational
50% deductible from your personnel might qualify for
unemployment insurance unemployment insurance
benefit amount. benefits between and within
an academic term if they have
7 For example, an individual sufficient non-academic wages.
receives $1030.50 a month in You will be disqualified if you
retirement pension, of which worked for any educational
the employer paid part of institution as a bus driver,UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
crossing guard, cafeteria worker, Information Needed to File for
clerk, etc. and you are between Benefits
academic terms and there is
reasonable assurance that you • Verification of your Social
will return to such work in the Security number
term that immediately follows.
Academic personnel might also • Names and addresses of past
be disqualified during a period employers and the number of
of paid sabbatical leave. days worked for each
12. You are a professional athlete, • Records showing wages earned,
you are between sport seasons including dismissal wages and
and there is reasonable vacation pay
assurance that you will return to
athletic services. • Records of any pension
payments you are receiving,
13. Your benefits would be based including Social Security
upon wages earned while you
were an alien who was not a • Any odd-job or part-time
permanent resident or did not earnings while you are
have a work permit. unemployed
When and Where to File • Your spouse’s employment
status and Social Security
File your claim for unemployment number
insurance benefits during the
first week after you have become • Names, birth dates and Social
unemployed. Security Numbers of your
children, including stepchildren,
You can file for benefits online at adopted children under 18,
www.ides.illinois.gov or at a local disabled children regardless of
IDES office. If you are uncertain age and any child of whom you
about your eligibility for benefits, have court-ordered custody
ask your local IDES office for further (bring a copy of court order)
8 information. You must also register
for job placement service at an IDES If, within the past two years, you
office or online at www.Illinois have worked (1) in a state other than
JobLink.com. Illinois, (2) for a railroad, (3) forUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
the federal government or (4) if you chances of getting a job are
have served in the armed forces, tell definitely not as good as those
the claimstaker. in the community you left.
(Note: The law provides jail 6. The kind of wages, hours or
sentences and fines if you attempt work conditions you insist on
to obtain benefits fraudulently by unreasonably limit the chances
withholding pertinent information of your getting a job.
or by making false statements with
regard to your claim.) 7. Your main occupation is that
of a student in attendance at
What “Able to and or on vacation from school.
Available for Work” Means However, you may be eligible
for benefits if you are attending
The law states that you must be able an approved training course
to and available for work during any to help you get a job under
week for which you claim benefits. specified circumstances. If you
This means that, during the week, are enrolled in such a course,
you must have been willing, inform an IDES representative
ready and able to accept a suitable in the local IDES office.
job. Normally this means a full-
time job. You are not able to and Actively Looking for Work
available for work if:
The law states that you must be
1. You are sick and cannot work actively looking for work on your
on any day. own initiative. You must register
with the Illinois Employment
2. You are away on vacation. Service at a local IDES office, or
you may register at our Internet site
3. You must stay at home to keep at www.IllinoisJobLink.com. Your
house or care for your family. work preferences and skills will be
matched to available job openings.
4. You have retired and will not Staff members are available at the
accept a suitable job. IDES offices to provide assistance
9 with your job search. In addition,
5. After losing your last job, you will be expected to regularly
you move to and stay in inform IDES about:
a community where yourUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
1. What you are doing to find unable to work because of
work. illness or other disability
during the 90 days prior to the
2. The kind of work you have first day of each week for which
been seeking. you file a claim for benefits.
3. Your prospects of being hired. 4. The child is your natural child,
your stepchild or your adopted
Keep a record of the dates and child, or the child is in your
places you apply for work. At the custody by court order.
time you file your claim, you will
be provided with a work search 5. You provided more than one-
document to record your efforts half of the support for the child
to find work. If your period of for the 90 days prior to the first
unemployment becomes extended, day of each week for which you
you may have to consider altering file a claim for benefits (or for
your requirements to improve your the duration of the relationship
chances of finding work. if it existed for less than 90
days) or you provided at least
Claiming Children as one-quarter of the support if
Dependents you and your spouse together
provided more than one-half
You may claim a child as a the support and were members
dependent if all of the following of the same household.
conditions apply:
If you were prevented by illness or
1. The child has not been injury from supporting your child or
claimed as a dependent by children during the 90-day period
anyone else during the past but were legally obligated to support
year. them, you are considered to have
supported them.
2. The child is not a member of
the same family in which one Claiming a Spouse as a
child has been claimed as a Dependent
10 dependent by the other parent.
You may claim your spouse as
3. The child is under 18 years a dependent if she/he does not
of age, or, if older, has been have enough wages of their ownUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
to qualify for benefits and you 3. You will be informed that
provided more than one-half of you must actively look for
your spouse’s support for the 90 work and must maintain your
days prior to the first day of each work search efforts on a form
week for which you file a claim for provided by this agency. This
benefits. document must be produced if
requested by this agency.
However, if your marriage took
place less than 90 days before A determination that you were
the first day of the benefit week, actively seeking work during a
you may claim your spouse as a week being claimed is subject to
dependent if he/she does not have reconsideration. (The determination
enough wages to qualify for benefits may be reconsidered despite
and you have provided more than the fact that you have been paid
one-half of their support since the benefits or returned to work since
date of the marriage. then.) In order to preserve evidence
that you were actively seeking work,
If you were prevented by illness or do not discard your written work
injury from supporting your wife or search record for any week being
husband during the 90-day period claimed until 53 weeks have passed
but were legally obligated to provide from the end of that week. Further,
support, you are considered to have if there is an appeal pending
supported her or him. regarding your active work search
for a week, keep your written work
You cannot claim both a dependent search record until there has been a
spouse and a dependent child. final resolution of the matter.
What Happens When You File After your claim is filed, IDES
Your New Claim for Benefits? prepares and sends you a statement
called a finding. The finding shows:
1. After you file your claim, you
will be assigned a call day to 1. The wages you were paid by
certify for weeks of benefits. each employer in each calendar
quarter of your base period
11 2. You will be required to register for insured work and the total
for work with the Illinois wages paid to you during the
Employment Service. base period.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
2. The ending date of your Receiving Benefit Payments via
benefit year. Direct Deposit
3. Your weekly benefit amount. Claimants can opt to receive
benefit payments by direct deposit
4. Your maximum amount of or debit card. Direct deposit is a
benefits. more convenient and reliable way
to receive benefit payments. The
If the finding is correct, retain benefit payments are deposited
it. If it is not, report the error into the specified account typically
immediately to IDES. Please be within two business days after the
prepared to show proof of wages claimant certifies for benefits.
paid during your base period
(i.e., W-2 statements, check stubs, To sign up for direct deposit, log on
etc.). Once you file a claim for to www.ides.illinois.gov and click
unemployment insurance benefits, the link for direct deposit. This link
you cannot withdraw the claim, will also instruct you on how to edit
even if a claim with a later effective your banking information or cancel
date would result in a higher weekly your direct deposit. If you do not
benefit amount. sign up for direct deposit, you will
receive your benefit payments via
Benefits Paid for Weeks debit card.
Benefits are paid for calendar weeks Receiving Benefit Payments via
of unemployment. A calendar Debit Card
week begins on Sunday and ends
on Saturday. Benefits are paid for Claimants will automatically receive
a week of unemployment after the their unemployment insurance
end of the week. Your assigned benefits by debit card, unless they
call day, certification day or register for direct deposit. The card
appointment is always on a date will be mailed to the claimant,
after your week of unemployment. and the benefit payment amount
You cannot receive benefits for a will be downloaded onto the card
week until you have certified for approximately two business days
12 that week by telephone or mail, after you certify for benefits with
as directed, and have met all the IDES. The card is administered
eligibility requirements during that jointly by a major bank card issuer
week. and IDES. All benefit paymentsUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
will be made via debit card unless 6. Allows you to request (IRS
a claimant has requested direct 1099-G) information on the
deposit. For more information total amount of benefits that
regarding debit cards, log on to IDES paid to you in the past
www.ides.illinois.gov and select calendar year and prior calendar
the debit card option. years (with a seven-year limit).
Certify for Benefits Using When you file your claim for
“Tele-Serve” unemployment insurance, you will
receive a Tele-Serve booklet that
IDES permits you to file biweekly provides detailed instructions on
certifications by telephone. IDES how to use Tele-Serve and file your
uses a touch-tone voice response biweekly claim certification by
system called “Tele-Serve,” which: telephone.
1. Provides a fast, reliable What do you need to certify for
way to answer questions benefits through Tele-Serve?
regarding certification of your
unemployment insurance • Your Social Security number
benefits. and your PIN.
2. Allows you to reopen your • Any gross wages you earned or
claim by telephone, under holiday pay received during the
specific conditions. certification period.
3. Provides status information • Paper and pencil to record
on your current claim and information during your call.
tells you the date that your last
benefit payment was processed. If you have any questions about Tele-
Serve, contact your local IDES office
4. Gives you general information to avoid a delay.
regarding employment and
unemployment services that Scheduled Appointments
are available through IDES.
13 After filing your claim, you may be
5. Provides IDES locations when scheduled to return to your local
you enter your zip code. IDES office for an appointment,UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
or you may be scheduled for • About any vacation pay,
a telephone interview. When holiday pay or other income
scheduled, remember to do the you have received since you
following: last reported to the office.
1. Always report to your local • If you were sick or otherwise
IDES office on the date and unable to work or not ready
time you are scheduled. If you to take a job for any reason
are scheduled for a telephone since you last reported.
interview, always make yourself
available to accept the phone • If you quit, refused or were
call at the telephone number discharged from a job.
you have provided. Claimants
on a phone interview should be • If you were out of work since
in an environment where they you last reported because of
can hear well, take notes and a labor dispute.
not be distracted. If you are not
available for your appointment, • If you received or applied for
report to your local IDES office unemployment benefits from
as soon as possible to explain a state other than Illinois
why you were unavailable. If since you last reported.
you do not have good cause for
not being available, you may • Where you looked for work
lose benefits. since you last reported. Keep
a separate record of all work
2. If your appointment is search efforts as you may
scheduled in person, bring be required to provide this
all other completed forms or information later.
documents you were instructed
to bring. • If you had earnings since
you last reported. Report the
3. At your interview, be prepared gross amount earned before
to tell our representative: taxes, not your take-home
pay. Earnings in the form of
14 • About any work you lodging, meals, merchandise
performed since you last or in any other form should
reported to the office. be included.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Remember, wages must be reported benefit payment for that week will
for the week when you earn them, be reduced by one-fifth of your
not when you actually receive them weekly benefit amount. If you are
(please see page 19). unable to work for five work days
in a week, you will not receive
If You Report by Mail any benefits for that week. If you
become ill for an indefinite period,
1. Inquire at your local IDES notify your local IDES office as
office to make sure that you soon as you are able to work.
meet the specific conditions
that permit you to be a If You Move
designated mail filer.
Notify IDES staff of your new
2. Make sure the forms you address and file a change-of-address
are mailing are filled out notice with your local U.S. Postal
completely. Please use black Station.
ink.
When You Return to Work
3. Be sure to mail your
certification according to the Notify your local IDES staff by
instructions listed on the form, mail as soon as possible, but not
unless you are given other later than 14 days after the day you
instructions by staff at your were supposed to certify. When
local IDES office. reporting your return to work by
mail, please include your Social
4. Be sure to sign all forms that Security number.
require your signature.
If you report in person, tell the
5. Do not hesitate to contact your claims representative the date you
IDES staff if you do not receive started work and the name and
your next certification form address of your employer.
when you were told to expect
it. Lost Debit Cards
15 If You Are Unable to Work If you lose your debit card, call
1-866-728-2167.
For each work day you are sick or
otherwise unable to work, yourUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
If You Are Overpaid months in jail or both. In addition
to possible criminal penalties,
If you are overpaid, the amount you may not draw benefits again
may be recouped from benefits until you have served a number
payable to you. If the overpayment of penalty weeks (or two years
is due to reasons other than have elapsed from the time your
fraud, i.e., knowingly giving false ineligibility began) and you have
or misleading information, the repaid the amount of benefits
amount recouped may not be received through fraud or that
more than 25 percent of your amount has been recovered from
weekly benefit amount for each benefits otherwise payable to you.
week you are eligible for benefits. Each employer for whom you
The overpayment could result work files with the state of Illinois
in a comptroller’s offset of state a record of wages paid to you and
payments (such as state income tax the quarter the wages were paid.
refunds and lottery winnings). Your claim is checked against these
wage records.
If an overpayment is not your
fault and you can show financial When you file a claim, all the
hardship, you may request that information you provide is
the overpayment not be recouped checked by investigators. Your last
temporarily from any benefits employer and, in some cases, other
you are entitled to receive. Even if former employers are notified
recoupment is waived temporarily, of your claim. The information
you still are responsible for the provided could affect your
amount of benefits overpaid to receiving benefits.
you.
If Your Claim Is Contested
False or Misleading
Information You will be given an opportunity
to present the facts to an IDES
The giving of false or misleading claims adjudicator. If witnesses
information, or the holding back are required to help present your
of any information in order to case, you must arrange for them
16 draw benefits to which you are to attend the meeting. Benefits
not entitled, is punishable under will be paid promptly if the claims
Illinois law. You may be subject adjudicator determines that you
to a fine of up to $500 or six are eligible for benefits.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
If Your Claim Is Denied at Any 2. At the hearing you will be
Time – Your Appeal Rights given every opportunity to
present your case. Facts in
1. You may appeal any support of your claim should
determination that denies you be presented at this time. If
benefits. witnesses are required to help
present your case, you must
2. Ask an IDES staff member arrange for them to attend.
at your local IDES office to
explain your appeal rights and 3. In the hearing you have the
to help you file the appeal. right to have a representative
– an attorney or any other
3. The law sets time limits for person you choose – to help
appeals. You must file your you. The state contracts with
appeal within 30 days after a law firms to provide limited
letter of denial has been mailed free legal services at IDES
to you. If the last day for filing appeal hearings to claimants
your appeal is Saturday or and certain small employers.
Sunday, or any other day the Representation at your hearing
office is closed, the appeal may is not automatic and depends
be filed on the next day the on the facts of your case.
office is open. If you mail your Even if you do not qualify for
appeal, it must be postmarked representation, an attorney
within the time limit. will speak with you about your
case. If you are interested in
4. You may fax your appeal to this service, call 1-800-884-
the designated fax number on 6591. To obtain this service
your determination, within the you must call right away after
prescribed time period. receiving a ruling against you
or notice of an appeal. Any
What Happens to Your Appeal? delay in calling could result in
your not being able to obtain
1. Your appeal will be assigned this service.
to an impartial referee for a
17 hearing. You will be notified 4. If the referee decides against
of the date and time of the you, you have the right to
hearing. appeal to the Board of Review,UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
an independent five-person IDES on your eligibility for benefits.
body appointed by the If this information is provided
governor. You have 30 days within the specified period of time,
from the date of the referee’s an employer has the right under
decision to file this appeal. Your Illinois law to appeal the decision
local IDES staff can assist you. that allowed your benefits.
5. If you disagree with the Benefits will be paid to you on the
decision of the Board of determination that allowed your
Review, you may file an appeal benefits even though the employer
in the Circuit Court of the has appealed. If the employer wins
county in which you live if you the appeal, and a referee holds that
live in Illinois, or in the Circuit the benefits should not have been
Court of Cook County if you paid to you, action will be taken to
live in another state. You will recover those benefits. Since you
not be required to pay court will be asked to repay any benefits
costs. You may, however, have received in error, it is important
to pay for the service of a that you participate in the referee
summons and for a transcript hearing on the employer’s appeal to
of the record. present your side of the case.
Continue to certify regularly and If an employer has appealed, you
report to your local IDES staff as will be notified of the date and time
directed for as long as your appeal is of the hearing.
pending and as long as you remain
unemployed. If the final decision How Your Benefits Are
is in your favor, you can be paid Determined
benefits only for those weeks for
which you filed claims and met all The effective date of your first valid
eligibility requirements. claim starts your benefit year.
Usually this is the Sunday of the
Employer Appeal Rights week in which you first file your
claim. Your benefit year is the full
When you file your first claim for year that begins on that date. For
18 benefits, your last employer and, example, if the date of your valid
in some instances, other former claim is in March, your benefit year
employers are notified. They have will continue through March of the
the right to submit information to following year.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
If your Benefit Year Begins: Your Base Period Will Be:
Last Year Between:
This Year Between:
Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 and the year
Jan. 1 and March 31
before between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31
This Year Between: Last Year Between:
April 1 and June 30 Jan. 1 and Dec. 31
Last Year Between:
This Year Between:
April 1 and Dec. 31 and this year
July 1 and Sept. 30
between Jan. 1 and March 31
This Year Between: Last Year Between:
Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 July 1 and Dec. 31 and this year
between Jan. 1 and June 30
Your weekly benefits and the total can file a valid claim and start your
amount of benefits that can be paid benefit year in December only if,
to you during your benefit year during your base period of July 1
depend on the amount of wages for through June 30, you were paid
insured work paid to you during wages of at least $1,600 for insured
your base period. work and, outside your highest
quarter of earnings for insured
Your Base Period work, you were paid at least $440.
If you meet these base period wage
The base period consists of the requirements and start your benefit
first four of the last five completed year in December, your weekly
calendar quarters immediately benefits and the total amount of
preceding the beginning of benefits that can be paid to you
your benefit year. There are four during your benefit year depend
calendar quarters: January–March, on the amount of wages for insured
April–June, July–September and work paid to you during your
October–December. base period (July 1, 2005, through
June 30, 2006). If you have been
Using the table above: If your awarded temporary total disability
19 benefit year begins in December under a workers’ compensation
of 2006, your base period is the act or other similar acts, your
four calendar quarters from July 1, base period may be determined
2005, through June 30, 2006. You differently.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Unemployed individuals who your weekly benefit amount equal
lack sufficient wages to qualify the total amount payable for the
for unemployment benefits using week.
the standard base period may be
eligible under an alternate base Regardless of how much you were
period. The alternate base period paid in your two highest quarters,
is the four most recent completed the total amount payable to you for
quarters. It is important to note a week cannot exceed a legislatively
that the alternate base period can set maximum amount.
only be used if the claimant is
not monetarily eligible under the Your local IDES staff can provide
standard base period and not to you with a table to confirm the
increase a claimant’s weekly benefit calculation of your benefits. You
amount. Contact a local IDES can confirm the calculation of your
office for more information. benefits on the IDES Web site:
www.ides.illinois.gov.
Total Weekly Benefits
Total Yearly Benefits
This is the amount of benefits
you will be paid for any week The total amount of benefits that
in your benefit year if you are can be paid to you during your
unemployed and meet all of the benefit year is 26 times your weekly
eligibility requirements (unless benefit amount plus an allowance
you have already exhausted all for dependents or an amount
your benefits). The size of your equal to the total wages for insured
weekly benefit amount depends on work paid to you during your base
the amount of wages for insured period, whichever amount is less.
work paid to you during the two
calendar quarters of your base Partial Benefits–Part-Time
period in which your wages were Work
highest.
You may claim some benefits for
In addition to your weekly benefit a week if you work less than full
amount, if you have a dependent time because of lack of work. Your
20 child or nonworking spouse earnings for the week must be less
you will receive an additional than the weekly benefit amount
allowance for the dependent. A (this amount does not include
dependent’s allowance, if any, plus a dependent’s allowance) youUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
would receive if you were totally Note: The full amount of holiday
unemployed for the week. or vacation pay will be deducted
from your weekly benefit amount.
You must report all your earnings
from part-time work. Interstate Benefits
Figuring Partial Benefits Any state you move to will help
you file a benefits claim against
Partial benefits equal the difference Illinois and will provide the same
between that part of your earnings service and assistance you would
that exceed 50 percent of your receive in Illinois. This is also
weekly benefit amount and your true in the District of Columbia,
weekly benefit amount for total Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands
unemployment. If the partial and Canada. The state in which
benefit amount does not come to an you file your claim acts as an
even dollar, it is raised to the next agent state. File your claim at the
higher dollar, provided it does not unemployment insurance office
exceed your weekly benefit amount. that serves the area in which you
live.
For example:
If your weekly benefit amount
When you file your claim against
(not including dependency
Illinois, Illinois will determine
allowance) is ................................ $110.00
what benefits you will receive if
50% of that amount is ................ $55.00 you are eligible. The statement of
If your earnings are .................... $76.50 your base period wages and notices
The amount that exceeds 50% of decisions on your claim will be
of your weekly benefit amount sent directly to you. You must meet
is .................................................... $21.50 all the requirements of Illinois law
The difference between your no matter where you file a claim,
weekly benefit amount ............... $110.00 and the final decision on your
claim will be made by Illinois.
And the amount of your
earnings that exceeds 50% of
The agent state will tell you the day
your weekly benefit amount ...... $21.50
and hour when you must report to
21 Gives you a partial benefit an office if necessary.
amount of..................................... $88.50
Raised to the next highest The agent state will also register
dollar ............................................ $89.00 you for work.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
If you are newly arrived in Illinois, Wages paid to you by the federal
you may be able to claim benefits government as a civilian employee
from your home state. qualify you for benefits under any
state unemployment insurance act
Combined Wage Claim just as if the wages were paid by a
private employer that contributes
A nationwide arrangement exists to the unemployment insurance
that allows you, under certain fund of that state. Your benefit
circumstances, to combine the rights will be determined by the
wages you have earned in more law of the state against which you
than one state either to qualify you file your claim. Report to the local
for benefits or to increase your unemployment insurance office
benefits. servicing the area in which you
live. The claims representative at
If you have worked in other states that office will tell you how to file
during the past two years, be sure to a claim and against what state the
tell the claims representative when claim should be filed. If your claim
you file your new claim. You will be is filed against Illinois, your benefit
given complete information about rights will be determined by the
your rights to file a Combined Illinois Unemployment Insurance
Wage Claim. Act and you must comply with
the requirements of Illinois law to
United States Government receive benefits.
Employees
If your claim is filed against another
If you have worked as a civilian state, your benefit rights will be
employee of the federal government determined by the law of that state.
during the last two years, you may
be eligible for unemployment Federal civilian service and
insurance benefits based on wages are assigned to the state
government wages you were paid. in which your last official duty
station was located. However, if
Tell the claims representative about you had covered employment
this employment and show your (i.e., employment for which your
22 Standard Form 8 and Personnel employer contributed to the
Action Form 50 or any other unemployment insurance fund)
documents that prove that you with a non-federal employer in a
worked for the federal government. state other than the state in whichUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
your last official duty station you should apply to the U.S.
was located, your federal civilian Civil Service Commission and/
service and wages will be assigned or contact the personnel office of
to the state in which you worked the federal agency from which you
in non-federal employment after have been separated.
leaving federal service. The service
and wages are assigned to the state All state laws provide the right of
whenever you, following your appeal to a claimant who is denied
separation from federal civilian benefits for any reason. In most
service, establish an unemployment matters your appeal rights are the
insurance claim on which benefits same as those of any other claimant
may be paid. That particular state in the state. However, federal law
then has control over all your provides that determinations of
federal civilian service and wages. federal service and duty station
given by the federal agency shall be
As a former federal civilian conclusive.
employee, you may have
reemployment rights with your If you believe that the information
former employer (federal agency) reported by your federal agency
depending upon your employment is incorrect, you have the right to
status at the time of separation request a review by that agency.
from work: Appeals or requests for review
should be made at the local
Career Status: If you have been unemployment insurance office
separated by a reduction in force, where you report to file your claim.
priority will be given to you in
filling vacant positions within U.S. Military Veterans
the federal government for a
period of two years from the date As an ex-serviceman or woman,
of the reduction in force. you have potential reemployment
rights with your pre-service
Career-Conditioned Status: If employer. Applications for
you have not served a one-year reemployment, however, must be
probationary period, your name filed within a certain time period
23 will be on the list for one year. after completion of military
service. If you need further
To protect your rights and your assistance concerning protection of
unemployment insurance benefits, these rights, contact the VeteransUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
Employment and Training Service The assignment of your military
of the U.S. Department of Labor at service and wages is by the Federal
312-793-3433. Claims Control Center, operated
by Lockheed Martin Information
If you had active federal service Technology, in order to avoid
in the armed forces, you may be any duplication of assignment by
able to receive unemployment some other state. A duplication
insurance benefits based upon of assignment of your service
the pay and allowances applicable and wages will result in a delay of
to your pay grade at the time of payment to you. Therefore, if you
separation from active military have filed a claim (regardless of
service. whether or not you received any
benefit payments) in another state
To qualify for unemployment since your separation from the
insurance benefits, you must have armed forces, give that information
been discharged or released from to the claims representative of the
the armed forces under honorable IDES office servicing you.
conditions and, if an officer, you
must not have resigned for the good Your benefit payments are based
of the service. on your military wages, which
are determined by a schedule
File your unemployment insurance of remuneration established by
claim and register for work at the the U.S. Secretary of Labor. This
nearest local IDES office. Bring schedule contains the dollar
with you Copy Four of your DD equivalent broken down to daily,
Form 214, your Social Security weekly and monthly rates for each
card and your record of all civilian pay grade in the armed forces. Your
employment, if any, during the last pay grade at the time of separation
two years. from active duty will determine
your benefit amount.
Federal law requires that military
service and wages be assigned to the Your benefit rights will be
state where you first file a claim for determined by the law of the state
unemployment insurance benefits in which you first file a claim
24 following separation from active for unemployment insurance
military service. Once assigned, all and establish a benefit year after
federal military service and wages your last separation from active
remain assigned to that state. military service. To establish aUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
benefit year, you must have had a Appeals or requests for review
certain amount of active service in should be made at the local IDES
the armed forces within the base office where you filed your claim.
period applicable to that benefit
year (please see page 19). If your Trade Assistance Benefits
first claim establishing a benefit
year is filed in Illinois, you must Workers who lose their jobs or who
comply with all the requirements experience reduced work hours
of Illinois law. In addition, federal and wages as a result of increased
law provides that your benefits imports or the shifting of their jobs
cannot begin during a period for abroad may qualify for additional
which you are receiving federal benefits under the Trade Reform
subsistence allowances under the Act of 2002. (The worker group
Vocational Rehabilitation Act must be certified as eligible by the
or educational assistance under federal Department of Labor.)
the War Orphans’ and Widows’
Educational Assistance Act. The benefits administered by IDES
include income support, the Health
All state unemployment insurance Coverage Tax Credit and alternate
laws provide the right of appeal to trade assistance for older workers.
a person who is denied benefits for
any reason. In most matters, your Individuals should contact the local
appeal rights are the same as those IDES office where they filed their
of any other claimant in your state. unemployment claim. Or to find
However, federal law provides that the nearest office, call 1-888-367-
the appropriate federal agency’s 4382.
determination of your active
military service, your pay grade Profiling and Referral to
at the time of discharge or release Reemployment Services
from active military service and
the type of discharge or release you In accordance with federal law, all
received from such service shall be unemployment insurance claimants
final and conclusive. If you believe are profiled, based on various
that the information on your work-related characteristics, to
25 separation document is incorrect, determine the likelihood that they
you may ask for a review by the will exhaust all of their benefits
appropriate federal agency. and may need extra help inUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
finding work. These individuals Final Tips for Filing
may then be referred for more
intensive reemployment services. If you remember to do the
These services include a personal following, your unemployment
assessment of your needs and insurance application should
recommended activities to enhance be processed smoothly and
your job search such as resume require minimum time spent on
writing, interviewing tips and paperwork.
referral to available training or
local job clubs. 1. Always provide your name,
address and Social Security
If you are referred to reemployment number whenever you write to
services and you refuse to your local IDES staff.
participate without good reason,
you can be denied unemployment 2. Report at your assigned
benefits until you agree to time. The purpose of specific
participate. appointment times is to spread
work evenly over the week so
Report Your Return to Work that you can receive service
IMMEDIATELY! with minimum delay.
Employers are required to report 3. Be aware of office procedures.
all new hires to IDES. These reports IDES employees perform
are used to identify individuals many different tasks and follow
who are collecting unemployment office procedures to ensure
insurance benefits after they have that all customers are served
returned to work. Failure to report in the order in which they
your return to work or all gross arrived. If staff are observed
wages earned during weeks covered working alone at their desks,
by your certification will result they most likely are recording
in an overpayment of benefits, information on their previous
and potentially a determination customer’s claim, which must
of fraud that entails penalty be completed before the next
weeks, comptroller’s offset of state person is called.
26 payments (such as state income tax
refunds and lottery winnings) and 4. Be patient awaiting your first
prosecution for state benefits fraud. benefit payment. IDES paysUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS
benefits in a timely manner. benefits paid to you at the end of
After that, benefit payments each calendar year.
should occur every two weeks
as long as you remember to If you elected to have federal and/
certify your claim on your or State of Illinois income taxes
assigned day. deducted and withheld from your
unemployment insurance benefit
Benefits May Be Taxable payments, the Form 1099-G will
reflect the total amount deducted
Your unemployment insurance and withheld for that calendar year.
benefits may be fully taxable on The Internal Revenue Service and
your state and federal income tax Illinois Revenue Department will be
returns. The Tax Reform Act of given the same information.
1986 amended the law to make
unemployment insurance benefits Your Social Security Number Is
taxable if you are required to file Required
a state or federal tax return. You
may elect to have federal and/ You will be asked to furnish your
or State of Illinois income taxes Social Security account number
deducted and withheld from your on the claim forms given to you.
unemployment insurance benefit Your Social Security number is
payments. Deductions are made solicited under the authority of the
at predetermined levels: 10% for Internal Revenue Code of 1986
federal income tax and 3.75% for [26 U.S.C. 85, 6011(a), 6050B and
state income tax. 6109(a)]. Disclosure of your Social
Security number for this purpose
If you do not elect to have federal is mandatory, and it must be
and/or State of Illinois income taxes entered on the forms you submit
deducted and withheld from your to claim unemployment insurance
unemployment insurance benefit benefits. The validity of the Social
payments, you may be required to Security number you provide will
make estimated tax payments using be verified with the Social Security
Internal Revenue Service Form Administration.
1040ES and the Illinois Department
27 of Revenue form, IL 1040ES. Your Social Security number will be
used to report your unemployment
IDES will provide you with IRS insurance benefits to the Internal
Form 1099-G, a statement of Revenue Service as income thatYou can also read
