Unemployment
Unemployment compensation benefits are weekly cash payment to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Unemployment compensation benefits last six months or longer, depending on economic conditions, or until workers find new work. Unemployment compensation benefits create a safety net for laid off workers and are considered one of the most efficient means of stimulating a distressed economy. Following the great recession, for example, federal stimulus funding helped states extend unemployment compensation payments for up to 90 weeks.
The federal government created unemployment compensation benefits in 1935. Employers fund unemployment benefits through a tax on payroll. States administer unemployment compensation benefits, under guidelines established by the federal government.
To qualify for unemployment compensation benefits or insurance, employees must typically work a certain amount of time for any employer during the year or two before their employment loss, and earn a certain amount from their most recent employment. If qualified, employees are entitled to unemployment benefits or insurance, with certain exceptions. Those exceptions, known in some states as “disqualifying reasons,” include voluntary resignations and terminations for cause.
Unemployment compensation benefits provide some cash when needed most, but not a lot of cash. The maximum weekly unemployment insurance payment in most states is between $400 and $600.
To receive unemployment insurance, employees must be able to work and looking for work. Most states have “anti-fraud” units to prevent employees from receiving benefits when they are not eligible, and to recover benefits from employees who received benefits when they were not eligible for them.
Related Articles from around the web (180)
Texas Unemployment Law - Unemployment Overpayments
Unemployment Rate Down to 9.7%
Unemployment Down in Maryland, or So it Seems
Is Unemployment Discrimination Illegal?
I (usually) hate unemployment challenges
Unemployment Benefits Extended Again
Demographic Disparity in Unemployment
Unemployment Rates Looking Marginally Better
When Should Unemployment Benefits End?
May Unemployment Rate increases to 9.4%
Lobel on Unemployment Insurance
Maryland Unemployment Overpayments
A Primer on Unemployment Benefits
A Primer on Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment: The Economists Just Don’t Get It
Reducing Unemployment with Work-Sharing
How to Apply for Maryland Unemployment Insurance
Hallmark Releases Unemployment Cards
The Rise in Entrepreneurship Often a Mask for Unemployment
Help - I was disqualified for unemployment benefits. How do I get re-qualified?
How to Apply for Maryland Unemployment Insurance
Help - I was disqualified for unemployment benefits. How do I get re-qualified?
In The News: Unemployment Rate Study
Important Changes to Maryland Unemployment Law
Severance Pay and Unemployment Benefits
Severance Pay and Unemployment Benefits
14 Senators Urge Unemployment Extension
Unemployment Insurance Contributions to Rise
Texas Unemployment Benefits Cut
Unemployment: Why Won’t Congress Talk About It!?
New Unemployment Bill to Provide Relief
Unemployment Insurance: Must You Pay for Misconduct?
Maryland Unemployment Benefits Extended
Maryland Unemployment: Using Best Judgment is Not Misconduct
Important Changes to Maryland Unemployment Law
At Least 30 Countries Have Unemployment Benefits More Generous Than The U.S.
Unemployment Compensation: Case Update
UNEMPLOYMENT IS DROPPING IN CALIFORNIA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY
Texas Unemployment Claims Guide
Doing it Their Way: Government Layoffs Worsening Unemployment
Texas Unemployment Claims Guide
Bunning Spikes Unemployment Extension
Unemployment Benefits Recipients Do More, Not less, to Look for Work
The Toll of Long-term Unemployment
New Case on Unemployment Hearing Proof
Unemployment Rates Continue to Improve
Tell Speaker Boehner to Allow a Vote on Unemployment Insurance
Consult an Attorney if You Have an In-Person Unemployment Hearing
End of Unemployment Benefits Hitting Workers
Long-Term Unemployment: A Terrifying Existence
Terminated for Absenteeism? You May Still Be Entitled to Unemployment Benefits
Black Unemployment Has Topped 10 Percent For Most Of The Last 50 Years
Important Changes to Florida's Unemployment Compensation Law
Consult an Attorney if You Have an In-Person Unemployment Hearing
Unemployment Rates Affect Veterans Disproportionately
Senate Votes to Proceed with Unemployment Bill
Unemployment Maximum Benefit will Rise on Monday
Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Stalls Yet Again
Economic Policy and Unemployment: The Power of Stupidity
Feds Deliver Unemployment Funds to Maryland
Maximum Unemployment Benefit Rate Has Risen
Texas Employers Unemployment Rate Headed Up
NYT Has 411 on Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Is Severance Pay Deducted from Unemployment Benefits in Maryland?
Long-term Unemployment in African-American Community
Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill Stalls in Senate
Florida Unemployment Compensation Law Has Become More “Employer Friendly”
COBRA Subsidy, Unemployment Benefits Extended to June
Unemployment Gap Between Rich and Poor at Record Levels in the U.S.
Two Months of Extended Unemployment Insurance Passes Congress
More Than a Number: Troubling Trends Behind the Dropping Unemployment Rateo
On the Path to Economic Recovery: Extended Unemployment Benefits
Involuntary Part-Timers Would Boost the Unemployment Rate
How Long-Term Unemployment Decreases Life Expectancy
Initial Unemployment Claims Rise to 380,000
Unemployment Extension Bill Clears Senate Hurdle
Unemployment Benefits Bill Ready for Obama's Signature
Texas to Begin Drug Testing Applicants for Unemployment
You May Be Entitled to Unemployment If You Quit With Good Cause for Health Reasons.
Rise in Unemployment Negatively Correlated With Support for Unions
Cameron County had Texas' worst unemployment in March
Global Youth Unemployment Reaches Record Levels
You May Be Entitled to Unemployment If You Quit With Good Cause for Health Reasons.
Bill Would Ban Discrimination Based on Unemployment Status
EEOC Holds Public Hearing on Unemployment Discrimination
Rise in Unemployment Negatively Correlated With Support for Unions
Unemployment Fraud Rate is Low, Study Finds
Cameron County had Texas' worst unemployment in March
House Approves Measure Extending Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment Gap Between Rich and Poor at Record Levels in the U.S.
Bill Would Prohibit Employment Discrimination Based on Unemployment
Texas Unemployment Law - Staff Leasing Companies
Florida Leads Race to the Bottom on Unemployment Compensation
In Record Numbers, Employers Move to Block Unemployment Payouts
Obama Signs Unemployment Insurance Extension Bill into Law
Are Workers ‘Sacrificial Lambs’ For Indiana’s Unemployment Fund Deficit?
Federal Unemployment Benefits Expire Due To Congressional Inaction
CHART: The Federal Reserve Is Failing Its Obligation To Fight Unemployment
Severance Pay can reduce Ohio Unemployment Compensation Benefits
Compromise Bill Extending COBRA, Unemployment Benefits Introduced
New York Unemployment Benefits No Longer Available to Former Employees Receiving Severance
Texas Unemployment Law - How Temporary Work Affects Your Benefits
African-American Unemployment Rate Was ‘Virtually Unchanged’ In 2011
Who should have to pay back overpaid Unemployment Benefits in North Carolina?
New Regulations Offer Higher Likelihood of Representation at Unemployment Hearings
San Antonio May Unemployment Numbers Send a Mixed Message
Department of Labor Tries to Leverage Social Media to Solve Unemployment
Surge in Women’s Employment Brings Unemployment Rate Down to 9.7 Percent
EDD Will Deny Unemployment Benefits to Claimants Not Authorized to Work in US
House Passes Jobs Bill Containing COBRA, Unemployment Extensions
House Passes Jobs Bill Containing COBRA, Unemployment Extensions
288,000 New Jobs Drop Unemployment Rate to 6.3% in April
Court Upholds New Jersey’s Ban on Unemployment Discrimination in Job Advertisements
New Maryland Law Protects Unemployment Benefits for Victims of Domestic Violence
Extended Emergency Unemployment Compensation Will Expire for 2.1 Million Recipients on December 29
Employee Who is Repeatedly Found Sleeping on the Job Entitled to Unemployment Compensation
Texas Workforce Commission Issues 2011 Unemployment Tax Rates
Proposed Senate Bill Would Void Non-Competes For Employees Eligible for Unemployment
House Passes Defense Bill Containing Arbitration, Unemployment and COBRA Provisions
Unemployment (or prior lawsuits) as a protected class? Not so fast says the 6th Circuit
House Passes Defense Bill Containing Arbitration, Unemployment and COBRA Provisions
What amount of unemployment tax does a Maryland Employer pay for each employee in a year?
Economy Adds 243,000 Jobs, Unemployment Drops to 8.3 Percent
Best Practices for Handling Unemployment Compensation Claims Part 2: The Referee's Hearing
House Passes Bill Temporarily Extending COBRA, Unemployment Benefits
Senators Introduce Unemployment Benefits Extension Bill that Would Apply to All 50 States
Obama Signs Bill Temporarily Extending COBRA, Unemployment Benefits
Court of Appeal: Lying on Timesheets re Break Time is Misconduct: No Unemployment for You
Why Maryland Employment Lawyers Are Reluctant to Represent Claimants in Unemployment Hearings.
House Passes Bill Imposing Regulatory Moratorium until Unemployment Drops
Tax breaks for businesses led to state unemployment funds going broke
Congress Moves to Extend Unemployment Insurance to Hard-Hit States
Workplace bullying targets winning unemployment benefits appeals in New York State
Maine governor faces call for investigation on pressure to deny unemployment benefits
San Antonio Unemployment Rate Drops As Local Businesses Start Hiring Again
Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Reform Law Expected to Result in Savings for Employers
San Antonio Unemployment Rate Drops As Local Businesses Start Hiring Again
House, Senate Approve Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Insurance Extension
Senate Advances Tax Bill Extending Unemployment Benefits, Decreasing Payroll Taxes
Failure to Pay Union Dues is Willful Misconduct under Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law
House Passes Bill Extending Emergency Unemployment Benefits, Payroll Tax Reduction
Recent Amendments to Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law Include Severance Pay Offset
Studies: Increasing The Minimum Wage During Times Of High Unemployment Doesn’t Hurt Job Growth
A Decade of High Unemployment & Falling Wages… Or We Could Create Jobs & Help our Cities
Obama to Sign Tax Bill Temporarily Extending Unemployment Benefits, Payroll Tax Cuts
Virginia Employment Lawyers
Edward LowryMichieHamlett
Charlottesville, VA
Gerald LutkenhausVirginia Workers Compensation & Disability Lawyer
Richmond, VA
Sheri AbramsSheri R. Abrams PLLC
Oakton, VA
Matthew KaplanThe Kaplan Law Firm
ARLINGTON, VA
Matthew SutterSutter & Terpak, PLLC
Annandale, VA