Unemployment Compensation
by: Iowa Legal Aid
I am unemployed. How can I get Unemployment Compensation?
You can qualify if:
- You are able to work and available for work;
- You worked enough before the disaster; and
- You apply and register for work at your local Workforce Development Office.
What could keep me from getting Unemployment Compensation?
- You could be disqualified if you lost your job because of misconduct or if you quit without good cause.
How can I apply for Unemployment Compensation?
How can I get Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
You can qualify if:
- You file a claim by July 17, 2008;
- You are not eligible for regular benefits; and
- You were living in or working in or accepted work in one of the following 48 disaster counties:
- Adams
- Allamakee
- Benton
- Black Hawk
- Boone
- Bremer
- Buchanan
- Butler
- Cedar
- Cerro Gordo
- Chickasaw
- Clayton
- Crawford
- Delaware
- Des Moines
- Fayette
- Floyd
- Franklin
- Fremont
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Jasper
- Johnson
- Jones
- Kossuth
- Lee
- Linn
- Louisa
- Madison
- Mahaska
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mills
- Monona
- Muscatine
- Page
- Polk
- Scott
- Story
- Tama
- Union
- Wapello
- Warren
- Webster
- Winneshiek
- Wright
- One of the following must also be true:
- You are an unemployed worker;
- You are an unemployed self-employed worker; or
- The former head of your household died in the storm and left you to support your family.
I am not sure if I am eligible, what should I do?
How do I apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
- You can download the forms online at http://www.iowaworkforce.org/ui/dua.htm or call 1-(800) JOB-IOWA for your nearest Workforce Development office. You can also email uiclaimshelp@iwd.state.ia.us for help with Disaster Unemployment questions.
- File by July 17, 2008.
- If you miss the deadline, you may be able to file late. You would have to show a good reason. Don't take that chance.
- If you can't get through when you call, keep trying.
How long does it take before I get my check?
- You may have to wait as long as three weeks before your first check is sent to you.
How long can I get benefits?
- You can get benefits for up to 26 weeks. This is true for both regular and disaster benefits.
What if the Department says I can't get any kind of Unemployment benefits?
- You have the right to appeal the decision. You have 10 days from the date on your notice.
- At the hearing, you will have a chance to explain your case to an administrative law judge.
- Be sure to bring witnesses and papers to the hearing to help you prove your case.
Can I apply in Iowa if I lived and worked in another state?
- Call 1-(800) JOB-IOWA and tell the Iowa worker where you lived or worked. The Iowa office will e-mail your information to your state.
How can I get more information about Unemployment Compensation or Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
- Look at the Website for Iowa Workforce Development at http://www.iowaworkforce.org/ui/
- Look at the Website for Iowa Legal Aid: www.iowalegalaid.org to find more about Unemployment Compensation.
- For more about Disaster Unemployment Assistance, go to www.nelp.org.
- You can also call 1-(800) JOB-IOWA and talk to someone at Iowa Workforce Development. For deaf and hard of hearing, use Relay 711.
Iowa Legal Aid helps eligible clients with "civil" or non-criminal problems. Many of the issues disaster victims face involve legal problems on which Iowa Legal Aid and other lawyers can provide assistance. If you have further questions and need legal help, call Iowa Legal Aid at 1 800-532-1275.
|
