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How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

The law sets qualifying requirements in three main areas: your past wages, your job separation, and ongoing availability and work search requirements. You must meet all of the following qualifying requirements in order to receive benefits.

Past Wages: You must have earned enough wages in your base period. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. Wages earned during the base period must be at least $1200 and equal to at least 1 1/2 times the high quarter wages.

Reason for separation from your last work: You must be unemployed or partially unemployed through no fault of your own in order to receive benefits.

Ongoing availability and work search: You must be physically able and available to work. You must also be actively seeking work. If you are temporarily laid off and have a definite returntowork date, your work search requirements may be waived.

Click on the following link if you need forms or publications regarding unemployment benefits:

Unemployment Benefits Forms/Publications

Other Louisiana Labor and Employment FAQs

Q: How Do I File A Claim For Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
A: To file a claim for unemployment insurance, report in person to the nearest Job Center with proof of identification, such as a driver's license, and a social security … More
Q: What Happens After I File My Claim?
A: Shortly after filing your unemployment claim, you will receive a monetary determination showing your wages earned in each quarter of the base period. It will also … More
Q: How Much Can I Receive In Unemployment Benefits?
A: The minimum weekly benefit amount in Louisiana is $10.00. The maximum is currently $258. Your weekly benefit amount could be anywhere in this range, depending upon … More
Q: When Will I Receive My First Check?
A: Each unemployment claim is normally effective the Sunday date of the week in which the claim is filed. Louisiana unemployment insurance law provides that the first … More
Q: Can I Claim Weekly Benefits By Telephone?
A: To file your continued claim, you can call the "Easy Call" phone number for your area. These numbers are listed in the back of the BENEFITS HANDBOOK . After each week … More
Q: Are Ui Benefits Taxable?
A: Unemployment Insurance benefits are taxable income. You will be issued Form 1099G at the end of January showing the amount of benefits paid to you, as well as any … More
Q: Can I Work And Still Receive Partial Benefits?
A: You may be eligible to receive partial unemployment benefits if you are employed at your regular job but your work hours have been reduced temporarily to less than … More
Q: Can I Receive Benefits If I Quit Or I Am Fired?
A: When there is a separation issue, fact finding is obtained from both the individual and the employer to determine eligibility for benefits. The decision is made based … More
Q: Does The Receipt Of Vacation Or Severance Pay Affect The Claim?
A: Generally, vacation pay, severance pay, holiday pay, bonuses, wages in lieu of notice, and payments from a retirement or pension plan are deductible from weekly … More
Q: Can The Employer Do Anything About The Claim?
A: If an individual voluntarily left employment with your company or if that individual was discharged for misconduct, you may have a valid reason to protest the payment … More

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How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

Other Louisiana Labor and Employment FAQs

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