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Q AND A's ON IOWA EMPLOYMENT
SECURITY LAW AS OF JULY 1, 1999

WHAT IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM?

The unemployment insurance program provides qualified workers temporary income to help them through short periods of unemployment. Employers pay a special tax which goes into a fund which is used exclusively to pay unemployment claims.

If a worker meets the statutory requirements for unemployment insurance, it is the worker's RIGHT to receive benefits. A worker, however, must meet a number of conditions to qualify for and receive benefits.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?

You must be a citizen or permanent legal alien who is unemployed through no fault of your own. You must have been paid wages earned in employment for which employer contributions were made. Wages earned during the base period must meet required quarterly thresholds which are adjusted annually on the basis of the statewide average wage. The Workforce Development Center will provide the current amounts. The total wages paid in the base period must equal at least 125% of the base period's highest quarter. Finally, you must be "able and available" to work for each week for which you receive benefits.

WHAT IS THE "BASE PERIOD?"

The base period is a one-year period which begins five calendar quarters before the quarter in which the worker files a claim for benefits.

EXAMPLE: Each year is divided into four calendar quarters:

1st quarter = January, February, March
2nd quarter = April, May, June
3rd quarter = July, August, September
4th quarter = October, November, December
If a worker files for benefits in October, 1999, that worker's base period will be from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999.

ARE THERE TIPS I SHOULD KNOW BEFORE APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

Yes. You should keep these points in mind:
** Be sure to apply no later than the first Friday of your unemployment or you will lose the first week.

** The Workforce Development Center cannot refuse to take you application for benefits.

** You must provide two forms of identification. One should be an original or replacement social security card issued by the Social Security Administration.

** Once you open a claim, your benefit level will be the same for a one-year period.

** If you are laid off, make sure you tell the Workforce Development Center representative that you are laid off and that you were not fired, nor did you quit. Your checks will come sooner if you make it clear that you were laid off.

** There is no waiting period.

** If you have a definite call-back date within four weeks or less, make sure that you tell the Workforce Development Center representative. In such a case, you will not have to look for work.

WHAT ARE THE MAXIMUM BENEFITS FOR WHICH I MAY BE ELIGIBLE?

*Dependents

July 1998

July 1999

July 2000

None

$251.00

$263.00

__________

1

$260.00

$273.00

__________

2

$269.00

$283.00

__________

3

$284.00

$298.00

__________

4 or more

$307.00

$323.00

__________

* A spouse earning more than $120.00 a week in gross wages is not considered a dependent.

The weekly benefit amount is calculated in the following manner:
If the number of dependents is: The weekly benefit amount shall equal the following fraction of high quarter wages: Subject to the following maximum percentage of the statewide average weekly wage:

0

1/23

53%

1

1/22

55%

2

1/21

57%

3

1/20

60%

4 or more

1/19

65%
Maximum weekly benefits are computed July 1 of each year and are based on the average weekly income of Iowans. Your benefits are subject to federal and state income taxes. You may withhold taxes on the benefits.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER FILING MY CLAIM FOR BENEFITS?

The procedure after you apply is as follows:
** Your most recent employer and all former base-period employers can challenge your benefits at any time within a ten-day period.

** If challenged, you will receive a pink slip (notice of a fact-finding interview). You should contact your union office immediately for help. Don't take care of it alone.

** When you get the list of employers and wage credits, check it over carefully to see that it is correct. If it is not right, be sure to notify your union office.

WHAT ABOUT EXTENDED BENEFITS?

Generally, you are entitled to a maximum of twenty-six weeks of benefits during a benefit year, but, you may become eligible for extended benefits after your regular benefits are exhausted and if you continue to meet eligibility requirements. Ask your Workforce Development Center representative.

Caution: Job search rules may be and usually are different for receipt of extended benefits. You may be required to expand the frequency of job contact. Check with your Workforce Development Center representative.

WILL I HAVE TO APPLY FOR WORK AT THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER?

Most claimants will have to apply for work at the local Workforce Development Center office. Those who are temporarily laid off are not required to register for work. All others should keep the following points in mind:
** Never put any restriction on what you are willing to do, where you will work, on what shift, or for how much money. Let the Workforce Development Center know that you will consider anything. You can voice a preference, but be sure that the Workforce Development Center representative knows that you will consider any job offer.

** Watch the small talk. Just a mention of a car problem or babysitter problem, etc., could cause your benefits to be challenged.

** Remember, when dealing with the Workforce Development Center, get your business taken care of and get out of there.

WILL I HAVE TO LOOK FOR WORK OTHER THAN AT THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER OFFICE?

Yes. You will have to conduct an earnest job search unless you are temporarily or partially unemployed. You should try to follow these rules:
** Don't use the same employer as a job search more than once every six weeks. You can apply at the same place, but you can only use the employer as a job search once every six weeks.

** Be prepared to prove that you applied for work in person whenever you reported you did. If possible, take someone with you on your job search. Get the person's name with whom you talked. Remember what the office looked like. Write down what a sign on the wall said, etc.

** Don't confine your job search to one area or a single occupation.

MUST I BE ABLE AND AVAILABLE EVERY DAY I AM LAID OFF?

You must be able and available for work for a majority of each work week.

WHAT IF I AM OFFERED A JOB?

If you are offered a job you will have to decide if the job is suitable to you. If you turn down suitable employment, you will be disqualified for receipt of further benefits. You should remember these points:
** In order for a ruling to be made that you turned down "suitable" work, a bonafide offer of work has to be made. A bona fide offer should include wages, hours and type of work to be done.

** You must be willing to take a job in any occupation which you are physically able to perform and which does not require skills you do not already possess. You can demand wages as follows.

WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT

PERCENTAGE OF WAGE IN HIGHEST QUARTER

1 TO 5

100%

6 TO 12

75%

13 TO 18

70%

18 OR MORE

65%
** If the Workforce Development Center calls and offers you a referral, you must go talk to the employer.

** The Workforce Development Center also considers other factors besides wages when deciding if a job is suitable. If you have a job offer and don't know what to do, tell the employer you need time to think it over and contact your union office, legal service office, or other knowledgeable persons for advice.

** You are not required to take a job which is vacant due to a strike or labor dispute.

WHAT INCOME MUST I REPORT?

You must report all wages earned during the week. You must report wages the week you earn them-- not the week you receive them. You must report all vacation pay, severance pay, pay in lieu of notice, employer pension or retirement pay (not disability pay), Social Security payments and temporary disability workers' compensation payments. You do not have to report earnings from self-employment or private pensions.

HOW WILL MY UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK BE AFFECTED IF I REPORT WAGES?

Your unemployment check will not be affected if you report wages up to one fourth of your weekly benefit. any additional earnings will result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction.

For example, if your benefits are $140 per week and you earn $35 (1/4 of $140), you will still draw $140 in Unemployment Benefits. If you earn $36, your check will be reduced to $139, if you earn $37, your check will be reduced to $138; and so on.

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Comments or Suggestions? E-mail the Communications Officer
of Siouxland Lodge 1426 IAMAW
Greg Enright