Free Iowa Labor and Employment FAQs | Free Iowa Labor and Employment Legal Documents

Are Certain Occupations Prohibited For Minors?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Yes. Please refer to Iowa Teens Easy To Hire for detailed information on restricted and prohibited occupations. For more information, please contact:

State Child Labor www.iowaworkforce.org/labor
Federal Child Labor (515) 2844625

Are Unemployment Benefits Taxable?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

All unemployment insurance benefits are fully taxable on your federal and state income taxes. You have the option of having federal and/or state taxes withheld from your benefit payments. Deductions are 10 percent of the gross benefit payment for federal taxes and 5 percent of the gross benefit payment for state taxes. If you elect to have taxes deducted, you will have to complete and sign the Tax Withholding Agreement form 600360.

Can I Receive Benefits If I Attend School?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

You may receive benefits if you are attending school or a training course approved by Iowa Workforce Development. You must make a written application for Department Approved Training on the form provided by Iowa Workforce Development. While attending approved training, you do not have to be available for work or search for work to continue to be eligible for benefits.

Can I Receive Benefits If I Work Part Time?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

If you work while claiming benefits, you can earn up to 25 percent of your weekly benefit amount before any deduction is made from your benefit payments. All earnings over 25 percent of your WBA are fully deductible. Working parttime will extend the time you may draw benefits within your benefit year. However, the maximum benefit amount does not change.

While working parttime you must continue to look for work and be able and available for your regular type of work. The goal is to return to similar pay and hours you had prior to filing your claim.

How Are Employer Accounts Charged For Benefits Paid?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Benefit Charges are charges to an employer's account for tax rate computation purposes that represent benefit payments made to former employees. The most recent baseperiod employer's unemployment tax account is charged first with benefits paid until wage credits are exhausted, after which charges go to the next most recent employer and so on.

How Can I Apply For Unemployment Benefits?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

You may file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits using one of four methods:

Online CLICK HERE
By visiting the nearest Workforce Development Center and participating in an initialclaim group session;
By calling the Unemployment Insurance Service Center at (877) 8915344 (tollfree outside the Des Moines area) or 2814199 (in the Des Moines calling area), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Standard Time.; or
Through your most recent employer.

When you file your initial claim, you'll need to have the following information handy:

Your Social Security number;
The name, address and telephone number of your most recent employer, and the beginning and ending dates you worked for that employer;
An Alien Registration number, if you are not a U.S. citizen;
A DD214 (Member 4), if you served in the U.S. military during the last 18 months;
An SF8 form, if you worked for the federal government in the last 18 months;
The name(s) of anyone you will be claiming as a dependent, up to a maximum of four; and
The amount your spouse earned in the preceding week, if you want to claim your spouse as a dependent (must be $120 or less to be claimed).

How Do I Apply For An Iowa Unemployment Account?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Complete and submit Report to Determine Liability (Application for Account). If you have questions about completing this form which the instructions do not answer, you may call the Field Audit Bureau of Iowa Workforce Development in Des Moines at 5152815339.

How Do I Claim Weekly Benefits?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Each week you are unemployed and want to claim benefit payments, you must certify that you:

are unemployed or working reduced hours;
are able and available for work;
have not refused any job offers or referrals to a job;
are actively looking for work (unless waived); and
are reporting any pay or private pension you may be receiving.

To file your weeklycontinued claim by telephone, just call the continued claims reporting system at (800) 8505627 (outside the Des Moines area) or 2816231 (in the Des Moines calling area). An Interactive Voice Response unit (IVR) will answer and will ask you the eligibility questions one at a time.

How Do I Know If I Am Eligible To Receive Unemployment Benefits?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The basic eligibility requirements are as follows:

Be totally or partially unemployment;
Have lost your job through no fault of your own;
Be able and available for work;
Be registered for work at your local Workforce Development Center, unless waived; and
Be actively seeking work.

To be monetarily eligible, you must have:

Earned and been paid wages by employers covered by unemployment insurance in two or more quarters of your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters at the time you file your initial claim for benefits).
Total baseperiod earnings of at least 1.25 times the wages you earned in your highest baseperiod quarter.
A minimum amount of wages in the high and low quarters of your base period.

How Do I Report The Wages I Paid To My Employees?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

You must submit Click here for Instructions for Employer's Contribution & Payroll Report. Employer's Payroll Continuation Sheet is used to provide additional space for payroll data if the employer has over 10 employees. Magnetic media (Tape, Cartridge, or Diskette) may be used in place of this form. Before using magnetic media, refer to this Magnetic Media Wage Reporting Information Booklet or call (515) 2815339 to obtain the booklet on this procedure.

How Much Can I Receive In Unemployment Benefits?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Your weekly benefit amount is determined by your gross wages from all covered employers in the high quarter of your base period. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters at the time you file your initial claim for benefits. It is also determined by the number of dependents you claim. The minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts change each year for new claims filed after the first Sunday in July.

The most you can receive during your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit amount or onethird of your total baseperiod wages, whichever is less. If you are unemployed due to your employer closing at the location you were last employed, your maximum benefit amount may be increased to 39 times your WBA or onehalf your total baseperiod wages, whichever is less.

Is A Work Permit Required For Employment Of A Minor?

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:36:21 GMT

A work permit applies to minors ages 14 or 15 years old for most jobs in Iowa. Youth ages 10 through 15 must have work permits to deliver newspapers or shoppers, or perform any other street occupation such as selling items doortodoor. Those ages 12 through 16 years old working migrant labor must also get a work permit.

The youth must first have the employer complete the Employer Agreement For Minors Aged 14 & 15 stating the type of work to be done, and the hours to be worked. After completed, the parent/guardian signs this form and the youth must then provide in person to the Workforce Development Center the completed Employer Agreement Form, and acceptable evidence of age.

Employers may require a Certificate of Age for youth ages 16 and older. They can obtain one by appearing in person at the Workforce Development Center with acceptable evidence of age.

For more information on the Iowa Child Labor Law, contact the Iowa Division of Labor at (515) 2818493.

What Can I Do If I Disagree With A Denial Of Benefits?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

If you or the employer disagrees with a decision, either party has the right to appeal and present testimony to an administrative law judge. The appeal must be postmarked or received within 10 calendar days after the mailing date shown on the decision. You may mail your appeal to the Appeals Bureau, Iowa Workforce Development, 1000 East Grand, Des Moines, IA 503090209 or fax it to (515) 2425144. You may contact the Appeals Bureau at (515) 2813747 or the local Workforce Development Center to assist you in filing an appeal or answering general questions.

A formal hearing over the telephone with an administrative law judge is scheduled. However, you or the employer may request an inperson hearing. Either party may choose to be represented by a lawyer, at that party 's own expense. The administrative law judge makes an impartial decision based on the information presented at the hearing and the contents of your file. You will receive the administrative law judge's decision in the mail in about 10 to 14 days.

What Can I Do If I Disagree With The Administrative Law Judges Decision?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

If you or the employer disagrees with the administrative law judge's decision, it may be appealed to the Employment Appeal Board. The appeal must be postmarked within 15 calendar days from the mailing date of the administrative law judge's decision.

The Employment Appeal Board does not hold hearings. The board decides each case by reviewing all the evidence that was presented to the administrative law judge. The board may affirm or reverse the administrative law judge's decision or may send the case to the administrative law judge for further review or order a new hearing and decision if they feel the evidence in the administrative law judge's hearing is not sufficient or is incomplete.

If you disagree with the Employment Appeal Board decision, you may file a petition for judicial review in Iowa District Court or request a rehearing before the Appeal Board.

What Happens After I File My Initial Claim For Unemployment Benefits?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

After you file your claim, you will be mailed a form called the Monetary Record. This form will show:

The beginning date of your claim.
Your fourquarter base period.
The gross wages paid to you in the base period by each employer that is covered by unemployment insurance.
Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) if your earnings were high enough to qualify.
Your maximum benefit amount (MBA).

You should receive your first check or direct deposit in about three weeks after you first apply for benefits if you meet all of the eligibility and monetary requirements. You will be paid biweekly unless you choose the directdeposit method. Direct deposit is the only method that allows weekly payment.

What Posters Must An Employer Display?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Employers are required by state and federal laws to display certain posters prominently in the workplace. The required listing is available at: www.iowaworkforce.org/files/708030.pdf .

What is the minimum wage in Iowa?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The current minimum wage for the state of Iowa is $7.25 per hour. The Iowa minimum wage is automatically replaced with the Federal minimum wage rate if it is higher than the State minimum. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $3.09 per hour with a combined cash and tip wage of $5.15.

Where Can I Obtain Additional Information On Unemployment Insurance Taxes?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

If you have additional questions, call:
Adjustment Unit, IWD Tax Bureau
18005624692 (statewide)
2816875 (Des Moines area)
18008311399 (TTY)

The following publications will also be of assistance:705001UI Information for Employing Units 705019Questions & Answers About UI Taxes 7050215 Tips on Avoiding Common Mistakes

Who Are Liable Employers?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

A liable employer is an employing unit that is required to report wages and pay unemployment insurance taxes to the Unemployment Insurance Division. To view the criteria that classifies an employer as liable, CLICK HERE .

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