Unemployment benefits are used to provide financial support for employees who have been laid off or terminated. The amount of benefits that an individual will receive is a percentage of their wages or the salary that they earned while they were employed.
In general, an individual who is unemployed through no fault of their own is eligible to receive unemployment benefits, including:
In some cases, terminated employees may still be eligible for unemployment benefits. For example, if an employee was simply not a good fit for the position or was fired for a minor issue, such as occasional tardiness, they may still be eligible to receive benefits.
An employee who was laid off may also be eligible. This may apply if an employee was terminated or temporarily laid off because of reductions in the workforce or company cutbacks.
If an employee made an effort to keep their job but quit for good cause, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Examples of good cause may include issues such as:
In order to be eligible to receive unemployment benefits, an individual must satisfy certain requirements, including being:
- Able to work, including being physically and mentally capable of working;
- Available to work; and
- Actively seeking work.
How Do I Claim Unemployment Compensation in Alabama?
In the State of Alabama, individuals who are out of work and who need financial assistance may be able to obtain that assistance by applying for Unemployment Compensation benefits. The Alabama Department of Labor provides these benefits to assist Alabama residents while they are seeking new employment.
Unemployment compensation or unemployment benefits may also be referred to as unemployment insurance. These programs are typically funded by state payroll taxes.
How to Qualify for Unemployment in Alabama
There are certain requirements that an individual has to meet in order to be eligible for unemployment in Alabama. For example, an individual must be able and willing to work.
If an individual quits their job, they will have to prove that they left their job for a good reason that is connected to the job. If an individual was terminated, it is up to their employer to prove that they were fired for a reason that was connected to their job.
An individual needs to have worked for at least 2 quarters of their base to qualify for unemployment. A base period is the first 4 quarters, or 12 months, of the last 5 finished quarters from the day the individual filed their claim.
For example, if an individual filed their claim on October 1st, 2015, then their base period is from July 1st, 2014 ending June 30th, 2015. The total amount that the individual made during the base period must be 1.5 times higher than their highest quarter earning.
The individual’s two highest quarters must also have an average of at least $1157.01. An individual does not have to have a specific type of job or list their dependents on their application in order to qualify for unemployment.
In addition, there is no time limit that an individual must be unemployed to apply for benefits. An individual can and should apply as soon as they lose their job.
Unemployment benefits for temporarily laid off employees may also be available , depending on the state.
How to Apply for Unemployment in Alabama
In the State of Alabama, an individual can apply for Unemployment Compensation benefits either online or over the phone. If an individual wants to begin the application process over the phone, they need to call the Initial Claims Line.
In the alternative, an individual can click here to apply online. To file their claim, an individual will need to have the name and address of their last place of employment and the dates they worked there.
The individual will also be required to provide their:
- Social security number;
- License or state ID number; and
- Mother’s maiden name.
If an individual is leaving the military, they will be required to show their member 4 copy of their DD214. If the individual is not a citizen, they will be required to provide their work authorization number.
How Long Does Unemployment Last in Alabama?
In Alabama, unemployment compensation benefits may last for a maximum of 26 weeks. During that time, the individual will be required to file a weekly certificate by phone or online.
For each week, the individual will be required to answer questions on a form. They will also be required to:
- Be involved in:
- fact-finding interviews;
- profile interviews; and
- eligibility interviews; and
- Be registered with the Employment Service.
An individual will be required to actively seek employment each week. An individual is not permitted to refuse a reasonable job offer.
If an individual receives a call from the Alabama Career Center or One Stop Career Center regarding a job referral, they will have to go to the appointment or risk losing or delaying their benefits.
What Can I Do if I Run Out of Unemployment?
Once the individual’s 26 weeks of initial financial assistance end, an individual may apply for Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) Benefits if they need more money. TRA Benefits are a weekly allowance to help individuals who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
In order to obtain TRA benefits, an individual must meet all of the eligibility requirements. These requirements include that the individual:
- Must be completely out of work;
- Must meet all of the requirements for unemployment and have used all of their unemployment;
- Worked at their last job for at least 26 weeks making at least $30 per week in a 52-week period; and
- Be in approved training or have a waiver for training.
Aside from helping an individual find a new job, the staff at the career center may also be able to help them enroll in a training program. Training programs may help an individual develop other skills they can use to find a different type of job.
What If My Unemployment Claim Was Denied in Alabama?
Simply because an individual’s claim for unemployment benefits was initially denied does not mean that they are out of options. If an individual is denied unemployment benefits, they have 15 days from the date of the denial to appeal that decision.
When an individual sends in their appeal request, they will be scheduled to have a telephone hearing with the hearing officer from the Hearing and Appeals Division of the Department of Labor. The individual will be able to provide evidence as well as have witnesses during their hearing.
If the hearing board confirms the individual’s denial, they will have 15 days to appeal that decision with the Board of Appeals. Any appeal that is made after the decision of the Board of Appeals must be made in a civil court.
If the Board of Appeals also denies the individual’s claim, then they have 30 days to appeal in court. It may be helpful to have the assistance of an unemployment benefits lawyer in Alabama if an individual is trying to appeal a denial of their unemployment benefits.
Where Can I Find the Right Employment Lawyer?
If you need any assistance with an unemployment claim, it is important to consult with an Alabama employment lawyer. Your lawyer can help you throughout the process, including if you are required to file an appeal.
