unemploment insurance

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 07:55 pm Post Subject:

Hey there stargazer...I'm no expert in this insurance field...but you came to the right place to find answers...you should have one soon.

BUt here is a suggestion...as the ecomomy gets worse, there is one field that has proven to always be busy and hiring...Medical...Think about one of those short-term courses...for instance EMT-Basic (ambulance dudes). I believe you can take it as a one month fulltime course or a 3 month part-time. Its not for everyone...but it pays more than minimum wage and your not stuck behind a desk or trapped by 4 walls.just an idea.

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:54 am Post Subject:

Stargazer, I think I can answer your question. To be able to get unemployment you must have made a certain amount per quarter (part of the year). It does not go to the last quareter you worked but three months prior to that and then back year from that date. Heres an example.
You get laid off in December of 2008. Sp they will not count your wages for Oct, Nov.,Dec, if that year. What they do look at is from Sept. 2007-Sept. 2008. You must have made a certain amoun t of money in that time period to qualify for benefits. You also must be looking for a new job, available and able to work, and in some states agree to job training if your postion is not going to be available again. Hope this helps some.

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 04:02 am Post Subject:

The only way to really know is to file, New York should have a website or a phone line or an office that you can go to and file your claim, all they can say is no, you really have nothing to loose.

Click on this link

https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

file your claim online, they also have a faq section you can read through. BUT I would file and see what happens, let them decide if you are eligible or not.

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 09:59 am Post Subject:

Hi OP, you might have to check out with the unemployment office to know your chances of qualifying for the unemployment insurance benefits. However, New York is one of the eighteen states which have adopted the Alternative Base Period (ABP) to enable the low wage earners and part time workers to qualify for the benefits.

Thanks,
Rupert

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 07:40 pm Post Subject:

Rupert, If you do not ind my asking what is the Alternative Base Period? I have not heard of this. I am not doubting you but just wondering what exactly it is and how it works. Is PA one of the states that have this option?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 05:09 am Post Subject:

The alternative base period would track the wage earned by the applicant in the most recent time while considering the eligibility. Beforehand, the eligibility criteria would tend to exclude the wage earned by the worker in the most recent past.

Hope I was able to explain. PA, I guess, hasn't accepted the ABP yet, but you may wish to get it clarified from the PA state unemployment department, or, wait for an expert.

Thanks,
Rupert

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 05:44 am Post Subject:

Nope, Pennsylvania has yet adopted the alternative base period to calculate the eligibility for the unemployment benefits. The standard base period of PA would exclude the most recent completed quarter of employment by the applicant while evaluating his/her application.

Cheers!!

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 02:52 pm Post Subject:

Oh lord, and there are so many extentions in place now, unemployment can go on for a long time, we have people turn down work because they are eligible for longer benefits.

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 05:32 am Post Subject:

Hey, aren't the recipient of the unemployment benefits required to keep the unemployment department updated with their job search? And, I think the department too has to make sure that the claimants are actively searching for jobs during this period. Is it possible for them to let the opportunities go so that they can enjoy benefits for longer period?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:41 am Post Subject:

Thanks all for cafirfying. I do remember that PA did not let you claim the 3 months prior to filing for unemployment. I would think if they would this would help get more people qualified. I worked part time for a whil in a seasonal job and there were times I would have to wait for the next quarter to hit before being able to claim.
Bandit, I know in PA you must be actively searching for work to continue to recieve unemployment benefits unless your work is seasonal then you can wait to be called back to your job. I imagine they do this so you do not have to quit another job once your company calls you back. They do however have you sign up for places like career link and others if your job is not seasonal and you have to show you are seeking employment. The person collecting benefits probaly could let job opportunities go as long as the unemployment office did not find out or they could explain why this job would not be well suited for them. Things such as children, hours, travel, exprience and so forth would be good reasons.