Unemployment compensation in Kentucky is designed to provide temporary financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The program is funded through unemployment insurance benefits taxes paid by employers. It’s managed by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, which is part of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The amount of unemployment benefits you may receive is based on your previous earnings during a base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to your unemployment claim. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Kentucky is $626.
How to Qualify for Unemployment?
To qualify for unemployment benefits in Kentucky, you must meet several requirements:
- You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Kentucky law.
- You must have earned a minimum amount in wages before you were unemployed.
- You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.
Unemployment benefits are intended for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. This could be due to layoffs, company downsizing, or other similar circumstances beyond the employee’s control. Therefore, if you voluntarily leave your job or are terminated for reasons related to misconduct, you may not be eligible for these benefits.
Voluntarily Leaving a Job
If you choose to quit your job without what is considered to be a “good cause,” it could disqualify you from receiving benefits. “Good cause” is typically defined as a compelling and significant reason that leaves an individual with no other choice but to leave their employment. Examples could include unsafe working conditions, harassment, or significant changes to the job, such as a reduction in pay.
Scenario: Let’s say Jane was employed at a company and decided to quit because she didn’t enjoy the work anymore and wanted to pursue a career change. In this case, Jane may not be eligible for unemployment benefits because she left voluntarily without a “good cause.” Her personal desire to change careers would not be seen as a compelling enough reason by the state unemployment agency.
Termination for Misconduct
Being terminated for misconduct can also disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits. Misconduct is generally defined as behavior that shows a disregard for the employer’s interests. This could include repeated tardiness or absences, theft, harassment of coworkers, violation of workplace rules, or insubordination.
Scenario: For instance, John has been consistently late for work at his company, ignoring several warnings from his supervisor. Eventually, the company decides to terminate John due to his persistent tardiness. In this scenario, John could be denied unemployment benefits as his dismissal was due to misconduct.
How to Apply for Unemployment?
You can apply for unemployment benefits online through the Kentucky Career Center’s website. You’ll need to provide your social security number, your complete mailing address, the names, addresses, and employment dates of all your employers for the last 18 months, and, if you’re not a U.S. citizen, information from your employment authorization document.
After you apply, you need to request payment every two weeks, which is also done online. While you’re receiving benefits, you must continue to search for work and be ready, willing, and able to work.
Being “ready, willing, and able to work” means that you must be physically and mentally able to accept suitable employment when it is offered. You must also actively seek employment and may be required to provide proof of your job search activities.
Actively Seeking Employment
Generally, this means you need to make a consistent, honest effort to find a new job. This could include applying for jobs online, attending job fairs, networking, or reaching out to potential employers. You may have to report your job search activities, including the places you’ve applied and any interviews you’ve had.
Ready and Able to Work
You must be ready to accept a job if one is offered to you. It is important to have arrangements in place for things like childcare or transportation. Being able to work means you are physically and mentally capable of performing a job.
Scenario: Let’s consider a fictional character, Sam. Sam was laid off from his job and has been receiving unemployment benefits. Every week, Sam applies to several jobs online that are suitable given his skills and previous work experience. He also attends local job fairs and networks within his industry.
One day, Sam is offered a job that aligns with his skills and pays a comparable wage to his previous job. However, he turned it down because he was hoping to find a job with higher pay. In this scenario, Sam may risk losing his unemployment benefits because he refused a suitable job offer. By refusing suitable work, he could be seen as not being ready or willing to work.
How Long Does Unemployment Last?
The length of time you can receive unemployment benefits in Kentucky is typically up to 26 weeks in a one-year period. However, during periods of high unemployment, additional weeks of benefits may be available.
Unemployment benefits do apply to temporary layoffs. If you’ve been temporarily laid off and you meet the qualifications for unemployment, you should be eligible to receive benefits.
What Can I Do if I Run Out of Unemployment?
If you exhaust your regular unemployment benefits, you may be eligible for extended benefits during times of high unemployment.
During times of economic crisis, such as a severe recession or in response to exceptional circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government may establish temporary programs to extend unemployment benefits beyond the typical state limits. Usually, this is done in an effort to alleviate economic hardship and stimulate economic recovery.
These key programs were established following the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): This program provided an additional weekly benefit to those receiving unemployment benefits. For a period of time, this was an extra $600 per week, though the amount was later changed.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): This program provided an extension to regular unemployment benefits. Initially, it offered an additional 13 weeks of benefits to those who had exhausted their regular state benefits. This was later extended.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): This program extended benefits to workers who were not typically eligible for regular state unemployment benefits, such as self-employed workers, gig workers, and independent contractors.
Each of these programs was temporary and subject to expiration and renewal based on legislative action.
The implementation and management of these programs are often carried out by state unemployment agencies, even though the programs are federally funded. So, if similar programs are established in the future, you would likely still apply through your state unemployment agency, like the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training.
If you believe you’ve been wrongly denied unemployment benefits or have other issues related to unemployment, a Kentucky unemployment attorney can help. They can assist with appeals, represent you in hearings, and help you navigate the unemployment benefits system.
Where Can I Find the Right Lawyer?
Finding the right lawyer to help with your unemployment benefits can be crucial. LegalMatch is an online service that can help you find a Kentucky workers’ compensation lawyer to assist with your case.
Just fill out the online form, and LegalMatch will connect you with lawyers in your area who are experienced in handling unemployment cases. They can review your situation, guide you through the process, and represent you in any necessary proceedings.
